After the lunch they were sitting in the dining room. Peter was getting prepared to leave but Henry stopped him.


    “Wait a bit I have some gifts for my daughter inw and grandchildren.” Henry told his son. Peter settled hearing his father.


    “Dad we don’t need any gifts. Your blessings are the best gift for us.” Lotus said to Henry. She wasn’t used to getting gifts.


    “You havee here for the first time so you have to ept the gifts I am going to give you.” Henry dered his decision. Peter knew once his father had decided anything no one can change his decision. So he motioned Lotus to stay quiet. So didn’t say anything else and sat back on the couch.


    After sometime the butler came with a tray covered with a red velvet cloth. Everyone was curiously looking at Henry to see his gifts. Nina was also looking at the tray. She wanted to know what Henry was giving to her daughter inw and those little monsters.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    When the butler took the cover there was an old jewelry box and a piece of paper. Henry took the box in his hand gave it to Lotus.


    “Open it dear. This is from Peter’s mother. She bought it for her daughter inw.” Henry said and Lotus opened the box. Her eyes became big in amusement. There was a beautiful Diamond and sapphire set. It was so eye catchy anyone would fall in love with this neck piece.


    “This is beautiful,” Lotus mumbled subconsciously. But Henry heard it and a smile appeared in his face. He was really d that Lotus liked the gifts from her deceased mother-inw.


    “Peter’s mother wasn’t a very shopaholic person but when she saw this jewelry set, she was determined to buy it for her daughter-inw. I am d that you liked it,” Henry exined with a gloomy face. His eyes were shining with tears.


    “I will definitely take this blessing. Thank you,” Lotus said holding the old man’s hands. He also smiled at her. But Nina fuming in anger inside, her face became red and it didn’t go unnoticed by Lotus.


    “You shouldn’t have give such a valuable gift to someone like her. She doesn’t know the value of love and family. Have you forgotten how she defamed her family and deceived her first husband?” Nina spoken out making Henry ufortable. Lotus didn’t reply to her just left the room.


    “Excuse me,” she said before leaving the room.


    Those words were still ringing in her ears. She shut her eyes, leaning on the wall, she never knew that Peter would have such a petty and naive step mother.


    –


    “Are you okay?” Peter asked as soon as she emerged from inside the mansion, worry was etched on his face.


    With a faux smile she replied. “Never been better.”


    She sat down beside him, giving a peck on the cheek. Mr Robinson was sitting across from her. Beside Peter sat Nina and Lotus hee head explode with anger but she kept it in check, she didn’t want anything that would make the night end on a totally wrong note.


    As they began their meal, the conversation flowed easily between Lotus and Mr Robinson.


    “I see you’re getting used to being a husband, how does it feel?” Mr Robinson asked Peter with a smirk.


    “Actually it’s been good, I’ve been nothing but caring and loving. Right Lotus?”


    She nudged him yfully but still nodded, her gaze was fixed on Nina who red at the both of them.


    They discussed thetest football match, Robinson’s garden, and uing family events. But Nina couldn’t resist inserting snidements into the conversation, directed ever so subtly at Lotus.


    “Oh Lotus, have you heard about this new fitness regime? It might help you tone up,” Nina said, her voice dripping with fake concern.


    Lotus clenched her fists under the table, trying to maintain herposure. “Nina, I’m quite happy with my body as it is, thank you. I don’t need your unsolicited advice. Also I was brought up in a military family so my father taught me how to remain fit from a very young age.”


    Nina grinned slyly. “Well, if you say so. Just trying to help.”


    The tension in the room thickened as Lotus resisted the urge to snap back at Nina. She knew it was futile, as Nina always had a remark ready.


    Suddenly, a wave of frustration washed over Lotus. She couldn’t take it anymore; she needed a break from this toxic environment. Thinking on her feet, she hatched a n. Pretending to have a “woman emergency,” she excused herself and motioned for Nina to follow her.


    Once they were alone in the hallway, Lotus couldn’t hold back her anger any longer. She turned sharply towards Nina and pped her across the face, the sound echoing through the house.


    Nina stumbled back, her eyes wide with shock. She touched her stinging cheek, speechless. He eyes zed with anger.


    “How dare you woman?! How dare you p me?”


    Lotus’s voice shook with suppressed anger as she spoke. “Nina, I have had enough of your snide remarks and underminingments. My marriage with Peter is based on love, not on any ulterior motives or base desires. Peter is the father of my children, and I will not have you tarnish our rtionship with your poisonous words.” She paused. ” And if you keep repeating those I’m afraid I’ll have to shut you up again.”


    Nina sputtered, struggling to find a response. Lotus continued, her voice cold and firm. “I demand respect, Nina. I am not a slut, as you so subtly imply. I am a wife and a mother who deserves to be treated with dignity. If you can’t do that, then it’s best we keep our distance.”


    With those final words, Lotus turned on her heels and made her way back to the dining room. She paused, she couldn’t return there, she knew that Peter would question her on what took so long and maybe her hand print was on Nina face.


    She brought out her phone, typed a quick message to Peter. Calling Stanley up she took the drive home. She shut her eyes and rested them on the soft leather pads that calmed her neck. She didn’t know that getting married to him would be this draining. That night, Peter didn’t return and the kids were already tucked in, she took soundless steps to her room where she drowned her sorrows away in a not so peaceful sleep.