From The Grave: The Ex-Wife's Vengeance

After a number of days and nights that Mira spent dreading the imminent and inevitable divorce with her husband, Deborah's birthday finally arrived.

It was supposed to be an exciting day for her, as Deborah’s daughter-in-law, but no. As Mira could not identify a single thing in Deborah's existence for which she should feel grateful, she had no plans to neither greet nor visit her.

The only thing the other lady did was make Mira’s life a living hell, and when her husband, Henry passed away, Mira’s condition just became worse.

And the only thing that she’s grateful enough for Deborah’s existence was to give birth to the guy Mira loved, but other than that, everything she did brought about complete and total anarchy.

The sudden ringing of her phone nearly caused her to lose her grip on it when she noticed the registered name of the person who was calling.

“Mira.”

One word, it was her name. It was just the mention of her name, but she felt like she was disintegrating in an instant, giving in to the reassuring baritone that he had.

Mira felt such intense longing for him. She wanted to be with him so bad.

When Lawrence didn't return home for a single moment after he left the divorce papers on their house, Mira’s body developed an insatiable want for him.

She missed the way he looks. The tone of his voice. The tenderness in his touch. Everything about him, she missed it so bad.

“Hey, are you there? You pick up the phone and you don’t even speak up. Mira!”

As Lawrence spoke her name once again, breaking the silence that had settled over them, he freed her from the enchantment that he had cast over her.

She finally managed to stammer, "Y-Yes, L-Lawrence. I am here, w-why?"

Mira was terrified that Lawrence would reveal that they were getting a divorce, but what he said next was much more unsettling. It made Mira feel uncomfortable.

"You know what’s day today, right? It was Mom’s special day. You should go to the mansion and help the maids later since you know our home better. Don’t make a fuss, a scene or anything. Wear proper clothes," he informed her without displaying any sign of emotion in the slightest.

As if the incident hadn't already happened on Deborah's birthday in the past, Mira suffered an injury. It was when one of the servers accidentally tripped over and poured the hot soup in her body, that gave her lot of bruises.

"A-Alright, then. I would be there. I-I intend to be present at your mother’s birthday. H-How about you? Will you attend and be there as well?" she questioned in a hushed tone, but she quickly covered her lips as she cursed herself for asking such an idiotic and straightforward question.

Mira was aware of his heaving a heavy sigh, but he did not respond to her question.

She was taken aback to see that he had already hung up the phone, leaving her to wait for his response or even just a mere goodbye.

*******

The part set-up was undoubtingly elegant and classy, as expected with Deborah.

The men were intimidatingly dressed in suits and ties, while the women were dressed to the nines in gorgeous dresses, vying with one another for the title of the most glamorous attire for the night.

The mood was joyous, as everyone seemed to be delighted.

Mira was working furiously to serve food and beverages at each table while everyone else was eating, conversing, and having the time of their life.

She could see several of the servants in this house slacking off and taking their sweet time in the kitchen tonight, despite the fact that there were many of them. She went over to one of the maids, who were aimlessly reading through her phone, and she spoke to her.

"Hi, I'm sorry to bother you, Miss."

The young woman briefly fixed her gaze on Mira with a blank expression before returning it to her phone and continuing to scroll as if she were only noticing the passage of a breeze.

Mira shook her head and called the young woman out one more time, "Miss, I was talking to you," as she softly tapped herself on the shoulder.

"I need your help. As I am the one helping out in the main dining area, I was wondering if you could serve the guests on the veranda." Mira spoke those words in a tone of helplessness as beads of sweat appeared on her forehead and her chest began to heave. "I couldn't attend to everyone all at once," she explained.

"Why? What the heck is going on around here?" The environment was pervaded by a frightening voice, and it was abundantly evident to Mira who the owner of this ominous voice was.

"Ma’am, she is commanding me to assist the guests and visitors, even though it is her job to do so. After completing all of my responsibilities, Ma’am, I just came here to take a bit of rest and drink some water. But this lady here was commanding me to do her job," the indifferent young woman said in a dutiful manner.

Mira was dumbfounded with a wave of annoyance and felt it welling up within of her.

Performed all her duties? From the beginning of the party, all of these other helpers have done nothing except to sit down and chitchat nonstop, while Mira was the only one who has been continuously working.

“Wow! Now, you want to make other people's lives more difficult, is that it? You are bossing around here while I am out your sight, huh, you worthless woman?” A malicious glare from Deborah was sent in her direction.

"Well, does that mean you are already exhausted with what you’re doing, Mira? Then, how about those times that we supplied for your needs? My husband provided everything for you, for your studies, for you to be able to survive. Have you heard us say we’re exhausted too? Have you ever thought that our family, especially my husband, was already sick of providing your needs? Have we ever complained to you about paying for everything in your life, when you should be the one working hard and paying for it? Now, with just a one night of serving, you are already exhausted?”

The elderly lady inquired with condescension. Mira couldn’t say anything, so she just bowed her head with embarrassment.

“You would never be able to repay our family for all that we had done for you. Therefore the very least you could do is give your whole attention to serving our family, until the rest of your life. But your current behaviour demonstrates once again how ungrateful and useless you are. Now I regret allowing my husband in helping a person like you!" Deborah yelled at her, furiously.

Mira wanted to laugh at Deborah’s statement. How dare could she tell those words to her. She never helped her, instead, she made Mira’s life miserable.

Deborah was the reason why Lawrence’s hatred toward Mira grew more and more each day.

Mira wanted to strike back and flung every harsh word she said back at her, but all she could do was to ball her fist, restraining herself in remembrance of the late Mr. Henry Wilson.

To avoid causing a spectacle, she merely bowed to her and turned her back. Mira went back to her duty and assisted the visitors, even though her shoulders felt like falling off and her vision grew foggy due of exhaustion and hunger.

As the night progressed, there was no sign of Lawrence anywhere in the darkness. In spite of this, Mira was unable to discern whether or not she really wanted to see Lawrence after he had sent her the divorce papers.

Since Lawrence hadn't spent the night at their home ever since that fateful evening, the two of them never had the opportunity to have a discussion on the relevant topic; their divorce.

Mira was reluctant to engage in that discussion. Hence, it would likely be for the best if she avoided seeing Lawrence later on tonight.

Yet there was a part of her that longed for his presence, and even just catching a glimpse of his face from a distance would have been enough for her.

Suddenly, the crowd became noisy, and as she identified the cause of the commotion, a sharp twinge of agony hit her, causing her to gasp for breath and make a face palming motion.

It was Lawrence, and his hand was resting on the waist of an absolutely gorgeous blonde lady.

Deborah, who was known to somehow get agitated whenever she came into physical touch with another person, then gave the woman a warm hug.

They were then given a rousing welcome by the audience, but the thing that really broke her heart was the way Lawrence gazed at the woman with such affection the whole time that they were together.

Mira said to herself, "Really, this agony is on another level. When will this going to stop?" as she wiped away the tears that had begun to fall from her eyes.

Mira turned her back on the heart-wrenching lovely image that she had just seen and walked away. Every movement she made away from them seemed tedious, as if her vitality had been drained by even seeing them in the distance.

Then a lovely voice with a high pitch called out to her and asked Mira to help. This caused Mira to pause in her tracks.

Lindsey was shocked to see the woman, and she yelled, "Excuse me, Lady. You with the trays and plates. Yes, you, miss?"

Mira gradually turned her attention back to the two of them, and to add to her anguish, Lawrence merely stared at her blankly, as if she were a maid or some other kind of servant he was unfamiliar with.

The brow of Deborah was once again lifted, and this time it was a cue for her to get nearer.

Every step she took toward them was excruciating as well as embarrassing, but she kept her eyes cast downward, praying that this time would pass as quickly as possible.

"Would you be able to clean the table down for me very well?" Lindsey demanded with a twitch in her lips that betrayed a sly grin as she smiled, "I am quite fastidious, and as a result, I want everything to be as clean as possible."

Mira took a few deep breaths before acting on what she had been instructed to do. She could feel the intensity of Lawrence's skin on her skin while she was washing the table, which made her shudder inside while she was doing it.

The table was already spotless. When she was finished, she gave Lindsey a bow and asked her to please excuse her.

She had both hands on the trays, which were both full with old plates and glasses that still had remnants of food and beverage.

Her legs caught on something as she tried to move, and before she could even register what had happened, she was already slumped and covered in grease and drinks on the ground.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry, sweetheart." The lady whispered to Mira. "You should be more cautious the next time. Don’t be too clumsy, okay?" The expression on her face was one of contempt.

Mira rose up, wiped off the crumbs of rice that were on her uniform, and then picked up the tray and the utensils that were in a jumbled mess.

They were instantly surrounded by a large number of individuals who were looking repulsed by them. She didn't give a damn, and their distaste for her didn't mean anything to her, but the poker face of the guy she loved drove a sharp lance of agony right through her.

She gave them an agonizing grin as she turned her back on them, as she had no reason to continue being there any longer.

Lawrence remained quiet for the whole of the celebration, despite the fact that everyone else was still having a good time.

Lindsey was very aware of the awkward stillness that he was maintaining, and in response, she gave his palm a firm squeeze and gazed adoringly at him.

"Do you feel drained, sweetheart? Do you want to go on my place, tonight?"

After giving her a nod, Lawrence gave her a little peck on the lips.