After the Storm, A Rainbow of Love

Voices came from downstairs.

"Where is Jessi?"

It was Linda, my grandmother. She had arrived.

"Ms. Taylor is still asleep upstairs," Robert respectfully replied.

"Let her sleep a bit longer; children always need more rest.

"Bring that shameless woman here. I want to see what kind of remarkable person she is."

In front of Linda, I was always a well-behaved and considerate child. Whatever I wanted to do, I would ask her opinion first, except this time. Compared to the spoiled heirs of other wealthy families, I might have been a bit proud, but I was always seen as well-mannered and exceptional.

Over time, everyone in our circle knew I was a good child, always receiving praise for my family's good upbringing and my obedient nature.

The servants spread this reputation, and outsiders would often compliment me, wondering why their children couldn't be as easy to raise as me.

Linda would beam with pride, her smile never fading.

After my mother died in childbirth, Linda did consider having Michael remarry, but he was a rebellious type and didn't listen.

He only wanted an heir, regardless of gender. Moreover, his marriage to my mother was arranged, with an agreement before they wed that she would only have one child, and regardless of gender, this child would be the sole heir of the Taylor family.

No matter how much Linda wanted Michael to remarry, there was nothing she could do if he refused. Pushing him too hard might also cause friction between the Taylor family and my maternal grandparents.

So, even though I was a girl, not a boy, and Linda was a traditional matriarch who favored boys, I was her granddaughter and brought her pride. She loved me more the longer she looked at me.

Being so cherished, Emily suffered.

She had used despicable means to take the position of Mrs. Taylor and manipulated a five-year-old girl like me. Linda would never acknowledge her in the elite circles, and instead, she would torment her mercilessly.

In my past life, whenever Linda was about to torment Emily, I would distract her with my antics, allowing Emily to escape many times.

But this time, she wouldn't be so lucky.

I quietly hid at the corner of the stairs, observing. Emily was dressed in a white dress, looking haggard, her eyes red, and her cheeks swollen, looking quite pitiful.

Emily stood there, trembling and silent.

Linda, dressed in elegant attire, lowered her eyes, gently blew on the tea she was holding, took a small sip, and then set the cup down before lifting her eyes to scrutinize Emily.

"You must be Emily. Such a small-minded person, dreaming of becoming a phoenix. You should measure your worth and see if you are destined to enjoy such a life."

Linda stood up and walked closer to Emily, tugging at her white dress, noticing the Hermès label, and her face showing disdain and contempt.

"Wearing branded clothes, aren't you enjoying yourself? You never had the chance to wear such things in your past life, and now you easily wear them, feeling quite smug, aren't you?"

Emily shook her head in terror, denying it, and continued to keep her head down.

Linda continued, "Jessi is a child of the Taylor family. You dared to use her for your ambition, showing no regard for the consequences. You have some nerve.

"Let me tell you, you will never enjoy these riches, but you will certainly endure the suffering."