The Substitute Bride Is Reborn and Loves Her Husband No more - Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Old invaluable memories

“Excuse me, ma’am, please, who are you?” A maid with a short bob haircut stopped Rose on her way as she stood at the door of her mother’s house.

Rose looked at the maid, hiding the storm of emotions brewing deep inside her. The maid, Ridley, had been a servant in the family for a very long time. It had only been three years since Rose had left, and now the maid pretended not to recognize her.

The maid’s tone was disrespectful, looking down upon her with obvious disdain. Rose was certain she must be one of Jennifer’s people or her mother’s—perhaps they had called her here just to embarrass her. Rose held herself together, refusing to respond harshly. She had to set a good example for Tobi, who stood beside her. As a mother, she couldn’t afford to let her emotions control her, no matter what was thrown in her face.

Rose cleared her throat and held Tobi’s little hand tightly to stop him from running off to play.

She said to the maid, “Before you judge someone or speak rudely to a guest, you should go and call the madam to confirm things first. There is no point in barking at a stranger if you can’t recognize me, as you suggest. Go fetch your madam and stop being rude.”

Her words were spoken with calmness and grace, but they carried a weight that could easily intimidate someone. Her voice never rose in impatience, yet it left no room for argument.

The maid trembled, pointing a shaky finger at Rose in frustration. She hadn’t expected Rose to be so composed and confident. Where was the meek young lady who had once been easily insulted and bullied? The maid was filled with questions and a desire to say something cruel, but her voice faltered, and her fingers only shook. Finally, she gave up and huffed, turning around to fetch Rose’s mother.

Rose frowned coldly, watching the maid retreat. What had she expected from coming back here? What worse things could be waiting for her inside?

Tobi raised his tiny head and looked up at Rose, sensing the shift in her emotions. He couldn’t help but ask, “Mummy, are you okay? Is everything alright?”

Rose was drawn out of her thoughts by Tobi’s soft voice. She smiled and bent down to his height, saying gently, “I’m fine, sweetheart. Mommy’s just thinking about something.”

Tobi nodded his little head, trusting his mother’s words. If she said she was fine, then it must be true.

Not long after, the maid returned, her expression now fiercely menacing. Rose raised an eyebrow, curious about what more the maid had to say.

The maid pointed an accusatory finger at Rose and said, “You imposter! Madam is not in the house. If she had really invited you, she would have been here to welcome you. You’re just some beggar from the streets trying to take advantage of the rich. I’m telling you to leave now before I embarrass you even further!”

Rose lifted her chin slightly and chuckled softly at the maid’s harsh words. “Embarrass me? What have I done to you? Let’s wait until your madam returns—she will settle everything for us. It’s not that difficult.”

Her calmness only seemed to infuriate the maid further. She hissed in annoyance, glaring at Rose with unrelenting hostility.

Her words felt as if God Himself could truly hear her.

Rose heard the gates opening, and there was her mother arriving in jogging pants.

It seemed she had just returned from a jog. Rose noted this in her heart.

Mrs. Stella walked into the mansion and saw her daughter, whom she hadn’t seen in years.

Her face carried no expression of longing or affection, no sign of missing her daughter. Instead, she wore a smug, cocky smile.

The maid quickly stepped forward, addressing Mrs. Stella, “Greetings, ma’am. This young lady has been disturbing the house and refuses to leave the mansion, despite my telling her to do so.”

Mrs. Stella chuckled lightly, dismissing the maid with a wave of her hand as she walked toward Rose.

“Daughter, I’ve missed you, dear,” she said with a saccharine tone.

Rose controlled her emotions, refusing to be deceived by her mother’s words. If her mother had truly missed her, she would have searched for her years ago. With all her resources, Mrs. Stella could easily have found her. But Rose knew better—her mother had shown no love or care for years. Why was she even entertaining the thought now? She should stop lying to herself.

Rose forced a smile at Mrs. Stella, who looked youthful and elegant despite being in her forties.

“You told me to come and see you,” Rose said coolly. “Now that I’m here, what is it you want? Your servant has already humiliated me enough.”

She held herself together, determined not to let her emotions show. She couldn’t afford to let her mother see the storm raging inside her.

Mrs. Stella chuckled softly at Rose’s words.

She leaned slightly, her gaze shifting to the child standing next to Rose before looking back at her daughter.

“You’re still the same old Rose,” she said with a condescending tone. “You haven’t changed. Always begging for my love and care. But let me tell you something: even now that you’re back, you’ll never have it.”

Rose felt as if her heart was being crushed in her mother’s hands. Mrs. Stella had always been her biggest bully. Even after all these years, her words still hurt deeply.

But Rose refused to let her mother see the pain. She wouldn’t give her that satisfaction.

Mrs. Stella turned and began walking into the house, gesturing for Rose to follow. Rose hesitated, questioning why she should go inside with her. Yet, without realizing it, she found herself following her mother.

The door opened, and everything inside the house felt eerily familiar, as if nothing had changed. The flowers in their vases were still the same, the curtains were unchanged, and the house looked exactly as it had years ago.

It wasn’t because her family couldn’t afford to renovate; they were wealthy. But it seemed they had chosen to keep everything the same. It wasn’t attachment to the decor that tugged at Rose’s heart—it was the flood of memories, both good and bad, that came rushing back.

“Rose, why do the things of the past still haunt you? Why does your heart ache over memories long gone? Calm yourself. Forget everything. You’ll be fine,” a small, comforting voice seemed to whisper in her heart.

Mrs. Stella sat elegantly on a luxurious brown couch and gestured for Rose to sit with her.

Rose studied her mother’s face, trying to discern something—anything—but found nothing. Reluctantly, she took a seat on the couch, keeping a noticeable distance between them.

“Well,” Mrs. Stella said, her tone sharp. “Tell me what you have been doing all these years outside.”