I lay on the bed begging for sleep, which finally came after two hours.
[Narrator's POV]
Carmela woke thirty minutes later to eat. The weather was cold and the stars seemed greedy for attention. She walked like someone half-awake to the washroom and changed into her pyjamas, then dabbed a thin layer of makeup over her already-swollen face.
"Is my husband back?" she asked.
"No, madam," they answered uncertainly.
Carmela pushed the floor-to-ceiling curtain aside and looked out at the extravagant compound. Rows of cars glinted in the dim light — enough wealth to change a person's life. She noticed Bank's old lady in the back seat of Samson's car, and to her left sat a man in a suit. Panic fluttered up in her chest, ridiculous and sharp at once. Her instincts still urged her to spy, so she slipped out the back door and into the large yard, hiding behind the Cybertruck.
"Sam, don't tell me you're going to waste all that money on a dying person who has a year or two left," she heard someone say.
"But she is my wife," Samson replied. "She's poor. If not for you, she would never even dream of Acacia."
The words hit like a thrown stone. Betrayal spread through her until the world lurched. Six years of marriage and this family still saw her as poor and pitiful. She couldn't bear it; she ran back inside and shut the door behind her.
I sat behind the dressing mirror as I combed my wavy hair. Samson entered the room. The room instantly felt tensed. Samson stared at his once stunning wife as if she was a venereal disease. Camilla kept put in her seat and stared at Samson through the dressing mirror with disappointment. She forced a fake smile at Samson, but he didn't react. Honey, I've spoken with the management of Acacia, and they've already prepared a spot as the standard what Camilla said. Honey, I'm sorry, but your mom can't go to Acacia. Camilla stood from the seat and sat beside Samson, holding her son's gentle embrace with a gentle smile. But why, honey? We made a deal. I just can't. Must you receive rewards for this little favor you offered? Samson shouted in intolerance.