My Bratty Wife
Chapter 82 - Eighty Two

Chapter 82: Chapter Eighty Two

Suzy woke with a start, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. She stretched, yawning widely, and blinked as she tried to adjust to the sudden brightness. To her surprise, the bed was empty. Where was Ryan? A wave of disappointment washed over her.

Doris entered the room, a gentle smile on her face. "Good morning, Milady" she said, her voice soft. "Shall I help you get ready?"

Suzy nodded, still groggy from sleep. As Doris helped her with her morning routine, her mind raced. Where was Ryan? Did he sleep here last night? Had he gone?

The silence in the room was heavy, a stark contrast to the usual chatter that filled the air as Doris prepared her for the day. Suzy tried to break the silence, but no words came to mind.

Finally, Doris spoke. "His Grace left very early this morning," she said, her voice filled with concern. "He didn’t want to disturb your sleep."

Suzy nodded, trying to hide her disappointment. She had hoped to see him one last time before he left.

As she descended the stairs, she found the rest of the family already seated at the breakfast table. Count Edmund was absent, a fact that didn’t surprise her. The man was rarely seen before noon. His mornings were usually spent at his club, surrounded by his fellow aristocrats.

Countess Helene and Senna were engaged in a lively conversation, their voices filled with a false sense of camaraderie. Suzy took her seat, her appetite waning.

The table was set for everyone else, but her place was empty. A wave of disbelief washed over her. Had they forgotten about her?

Countess Helene, sensing her confusion, asked, "Are you hungry, my dear?" Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.

Suzy ignored her, her focus on the empty plate in front of her. She couldn’t believe what was happening. Was this some kind of sick joke?

Before she could respond, Senna chimed in. "If you knew you were going to eat, why didn’t you wake up early to join the kitchen staff in preparing your meal?" she said, her voice laced with hate.

Suzy’s anger was beginning to boil. She wanted to lash out, to tell them exactly what she thought of them, but she knew that would only give them satisfaction.

She simply stared at them, her silence more powerful than any words she could utter.

She remained silent, her gaze fixed on the empty plate in front of her. It was clear that they were trying to punish her, to make her feel as insignificant as possible. In order to do that, they are going to starve her.

She was about to respond when Isabella intervened. "Senna leave her be. Cassandra, join me for breakfast," she said, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Countess Helene’s face turned red with anger. "Isabella," she began, her voice sharp, "stay out of this. Eat your breakfast and go to your room."

Isabella nodded, her eyes filled with defiance. She knew her mother was being unfair, but she couldn’t go against her. She obediently lowered her head and continued eating.

Countess Helene turned back to Suzy, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips. "Now, where were we?" she asked, her voice dripping with condescension.

Suzy remained silent, her anger growing by the second. She was not going to be treated like this.

Countess Helene turned to the servants, her voice cold and commanding. "No one should prepare breakfast for her," she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The servants bowed their heads in submission, their eyes filled with pity for Suzy. As they left the room, Suzy couldn’t help but feel a sense of disgust. This was childish, petty, and cruel. She couldn’t believe she was being treated like this

"I think it’s time for you to learn your place, young lady," Countess Helene continued, her voice rising. "How dare you humiliate me at last night’s dinner?"

But before Countess Helene could continue, Senna intervened. "Aunt, why bother? She thinks because she’s duchess now she is above everyone. It’s because you were lenient with her she has taken your love and kindness for granted and insulted you to top it up."

Countess Helene nodded in agreement. "You’re right, dear," she said, turning to Suzy. "I’ll have to teach you a thing or two during your stay here."

With that, she stood up and left the dining room, followed by Senna. Suzy was left alone, her anger boiling over. She had never felt so humiliated in her life but they forgot one key detail: She’s not Cassandra. Whatever bullshit they throw at her she will triple it and ship it back to them.

Suzy’s stomach growled in protest, a reminder of the petty games being played in the dining room. She wouldn’t allow herself to be defeated by their childish behavior.

Turning to Doris, she said, "Let’s go to the kitchen."

Doris looked at her, surprise evident on her face. "But Milady..." she began, her voice filled with concern.

"I’m hungry, I’m going to make my own breakfast" Suzy interrupted, her tone firm. "And I’m not going to starve just because someone has a problem with me."

Doris hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "As you wish, Milady," she said, her voice filled with a mixture of admiration and concern.

The kitchen was a bustling hub of activity, chefs and servants scurrying about, preparing meals for the household. As Suzy entered, the noise level dropped, a mixed sounds of clanging pots and pans, and the animated chatter of the staff. Her presence caused a momentary stir. Eyes turned to her, curiosity and surprise evident in their expressions.

At the heart of it all was Mrs. Joyce, the head chef, a woman with a warm smile and a kind demeanor. Upon seeing Suzy, she embraced her in a warm hug. "My dear," she exclaimed, her voice filled with affection. "It’s been too long."

Suzy was taken aback by the unexpected display of affection. She glanced at Doris, who simply smiled and shrugged. "Mrs Joyce is a friend," Doris whispered, her voice filled with warmth.

"I lost count of how many times I’ve wanted to hug you since the well incident," Mrs. Joyce continued, her voice filled with emotion. "I couldn’t get close to you because of your memory loss and your marriage to the Grand Duke."

Suzy’s heart ached with sympathy. She had no recollection of who this woman was to Cassandra, but she could feel the depth of Mrs. Joyce’s emotion. "Thank you, Mrs. Joyce," she said, her voice sincere. "It means a lot to me."

Mrs. Joyce beamed. "Now, let’s get you something to eat," she said, her tone brisk and efficient. "You can’t let them starve you out."

Doris offered a knowing smile. "I believe Lady Cassandra would like to prepare her own breakfast," she explained to Mrs. Joyce.

Suzy nodded, eager to prove her independence. "Yes, please," she said, her voice firm. "I’d like to do it myself."

Mrs. Joyce hesitated, a look of concern crossing her face. "Are you sure, dear? You don’t have to do that. Don’t worry about Countess Helene."

Suzy nodded. "I insist," she said, her voice leaving no room for argument.

Mrs. Joyce’s eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly recovered. "Of course, my dear," she said, her voice filled with respect. "Whatever you wish."

Suzy thanked her, her heart feeling a little lighter. It was good to know that there were people who cared about her, people who were willing to go out of their way to show her kindness.

"Now, let’s get you cooking," Mrs. Joyce said, her tone cheerful. "I’ll show you where everything is."

As Suzy began to gather the ingredients for her breakfast, she felt a sense of familiarity. She cracked two eggs into a bowl, added a splash of milk, and a pinch of salt. She then dipped two slices of bread into the mixture, soaking them thoroughly.

As she placed the bread in the frying pan, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Cooking was a form of therapy for her, a way to escape the chaos of her life.

While the bread was toasting, she prepared a bowl of fresh fruit salad. She sliced a banana, a kiwi, and a few strawberries, adding a dollop of yogurt for good measure.

When the bread was golden brown and crispy, she removed it from the pan and placed it on a plate. She topped it with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon. It was all familiar and comforting. It was as if she was back home on a Saturday morning.

As Suzy plated her breakfast, Mrs. Joyce approached her, her eyes filled with admiration. "This looks delicious, Cassandra" she complimented. "Your mother would be proud to see how far you’ve come."

Suzy paused, her fork mid-air. Her mother? A wave of confusion washed over her. She didn’t know much about Cassandra’s mother, only the vague memories and tales of her abandoning her child. How could Mrs. Joyce know her if she hasn’t stepped foot into the count’s manor before?

"My mother?" she asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.

Mrs. Joyce nodded, a wistful look in her eyes. "Yes, dear. She was a wonderful woman. Just as you have grown to be."

Suzy felt a strange connection to a woman she had never met. It was as if a piece of a puzzle was falling into place, revealing a glimpse into a truth she had never known.