Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1034

In the side hall, Selma had prepared some coffee. Jessica gulped down an entire cup, her throat dry, her stomach growling. She was hungry and thirsty, but she dared not leave her room for fear the people outside would burst in and come for her. Seeing Jessica in such a state, Selma said, "I saw you working diligently just a couple of days ago. How about I make you a bowl of noodles?"

"Thank you," Jessica murmured softly, her voice thick with tears as she watched Selma leave.

Her eyes were swollen, and the toll of exhaustion had taken its full effect. She looked like someone utterly defeated, stripped of all dignity.

"Everything I could give, I gave. I paid my debts," she muttered, her voice flat. "I still owe people so much money. I know I don't deserve any sympathy. I'm no good, but do you really think that as a so-called duchess in Ironridge Estate, I could do anything evil?

"My mother-in-law hates me, my husband doesn't care for me, and I don't even have control over the household. When my mom was around, I spent twenty days a month at Harmony Palace. After they took my mom away, the Kingsley family fell apart. I was demoted to a commoner, and even in Ironridge Estate, I endured everything that happened there. Even when I was upset, I kept my mouth shut."

Tears streamed down her face. "I didn't have anything against that woman who married into the Marquis of Ironridge's family. I had no say in the matter anyway. Maybe I would've cared before, but not now. When Serena came into the family, I hated her. Carissa, I know you think I brought all this on myself, because the one she wanted was Rafael. So yes, it's karma."

Jessica wiped her eyes and nose with her sleeve, choking on a sob. "I did hit Serena, but she deserved it. She was vile, using every dirty trick to vie for favor. She'd do anything to get attention, and even my mother-in-law knew about it. She punished Serena more than

once.

she came into the household, she always behaved herself. She would address and treat me respectfully whenever she saw me. If it weren't for her, I would've slapped her mom long ago. Why would I harm her child? Think about my situation there. Why would

her ramble, Violet interrupted, "What

soup. She said I was like a useless hen who couldn't lay eggs, so I shouldn't even bother eating it. She said it would be better if her daughter, who was carrying the

dared to say that about you? Where did you hear this? Could it

to my face. When I yelled at her, she

to Madam Margaret and complain that Flora's mom called me a hen who can't lay eggs? Even if I did, they wouldn't believe me. They

watched as tears welled up in Jessica's swollen eyes again, as though she were on the verge

give her? How much did you use? Who did

she used. I

at her.

life miserable. She's bound to hate you for it, and you still asked her to give someone a laxative? I don't even

vicious and

made her miserable? Since she came into the family, I've only hit her three times. After that, figured things were set so I let it go. But sometimes, when she behaved badly in front of me, I'd snap at her-maybe a dozen times? More, maybe. But she got