Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Clayton hadn't even noticed Elysia, as he was too busy confronting Helen with Emmett in his arms, "What on earth were you thinking?!"

Helen, feeling wronged, her eyes reddening, protested, "Why are you being so harsh on me? I'm the victim here! I just bumped into them and, being polite, said hello. But out of nowhere, they started yelling at me and even insulted me!"

Trying to suppress the excitement of seeing his grandfather for the first time, Elliot steadied himself and said, "She's lying. She claimed she was the lady of the house. My mom thought she was Grandma Pamela because she mistook her identity, and then she started yelling at my mom and even tried to hit us."

Of course, Helen wouldn't admit to it, "I did no such thing; they're framing me!"

Clayton's face turned ice-cold, "Framing you? How would such a young child know to make this up? If you're the lady of the Hawkins family, then what does that make Pamela? Pamela is just sick; she's not dead yet!"

"I didn't, I..."

"Even if Pamela and I were gone, you wouldn't be fit to be the lady of the Hawkins family. You don't even grasp the basic courtesy of hosting; you'd only bring shame to the Hawkins name!"

Helen burst into tears right there and then, so upset she even forgot to keep her tone respectful, "Clayton, you..."

and stern, declared, "From now on, stay in your own place in Verity and keep out of Pamela

"Clayton!"

was bad enough she was barred from the main house;

in front of others, no

shred of dignity

felt her heart shatter into pieces,

to her personal maid with a

trembling with fear, quickly supported Helen and made a hasty retreat,

their pitiful retreat with

servant who had shown them the way, either, "Grandpa, it wasn't just them. Even this

fear, stammering, "I'm so sorry, sir,

a message to all the servants from me. Anyone who refuses to acknowledge Pamela as the lady of this house can

"Understood!"

the servant immediately burst into tears, begging for

a glance, and the guard promptly stepped forward, covering the servant's mouth and

Finally, peace returned.