Wedding Room Controversy: Who is the Outsider?

Gideon's taste in women was genuinely questionable. Freya may seem presentable on the surface, and I heard from Mom that her family was entirely of intellectuals. We thought she'd be a good match for him, but it turned out she didn't even show us basic respect.

Dinner was far from pleasant. Afterward, Mom took Aiden to get a bath, leaving Gideon to wash the dishes. My heart ached for him. Gideon never lifted a finger around the house before getting married, and now, with Freya, he was doing chores.

Freya, on the other hand, was sprawled on the couch watching TV and snacking on a fruit platter. I couldn't contain my frustration any longer. I walked over and tried to reason with her in what I hoped was the most amicable tone. "Freya, wouldn't you like to help Gideon? It's not common to have the man do the dishes. People might gossip."

The latest episode of the drama was on. Freya stared at the TV without turning her head, as if she hadn't heard me.

Just as I was about to speak again, Freya paused the show. "Elodie, just because your man doesn't do dishes doesn't mean mine doesn't. My man not only does the dishes, but he also sweeps the floor, does the laundry, and even washes my socks!"

What? Gideon waited on her hand and foot at home! Mom and I wouldn't even let Gideon carry a plate, and Freya had him washing her socks? Who did she think she was?

I felt my blood pressure rising, a surge of anger rushing to my head. People always said you need to set boundaries when your brother got married, but she was bullying Gideon. How could I tolerate this?

I grabbed Freya by the collar and yanked her up.

"Repeat what you just said! How shameless can you be to have Gideon wait on you? Are you missing an arm or a leg?"

I was already controlling myself, holding back the urge to slap her.

Freya, seemingly shocked that I'd pulled her up from the couch, looked utterly confused. Now she was scared, huh? Where was this fear when she was bullying Gideon?

Then, everything spun around me; my face burned with pain. She had wriggled free and dared to hit me—me, Gideon's sister!

"Ah!"

All reason left me; I was going to end her. Just as I raised my hand to strike, Gideon, hearing the commotion, rushed over and grabbed my arm, pulling me down onto the couch.

"What's going on here? Why are you fighting all of a sudden?"

Gideon's hands were still wet, even covered in suds, which immediately made me feel sad. I thought Gideon was living well and eating well; what kind of life was this at home?

"Gideon, why are you washing dishes at home? Freya said you even kneel to wash her feet. Brother, this woman is disgusting. How could you fall for her?"

"Oh, are you playing the victim now? Whatever happens between Gideon and me is our business. You're just a relative at best. I advise you to watch your mouth, or I'll have you thrown out!"

Freya's taunting voice kept provoking me as I clutched Gideon's hand, unable to stop shaking.

"Relative? Gideon and I are blood relatives! You're the only outsider here without any blood ties! Know your place!"

My mother, unaware of the noise outside due to the soundproofing in the bathroom, came out after bathing Aiden just in time to see the three of us in a standoff.

"What's going on here? What's the conflict about?"

Mom always doted on Gideon the most, and she'd lose it if she knew Freya was making him work so hard.

"Mom, I'm telling you, Gideon's been slaving away at home every day. Look at his hands, they're so much rougher than the last time I saw them! Freya, that wicked woman, just picks on Gideon relentlessly!"

The moment Mom saw Gideon's hands, she was instantly heartbroken, quickly pulling him aside to ask, "Is the water too cold? Maybe you should stop working."

I watched Freya with a smug look. Freya, your days of being haughty were over!