Ana's POV
"Ana." Aileen's voice cut through the auction hall's chatter.
I spun around at the familiar sound.
Aileen approached with Elodie skulking behind her. Elodie's eyes stayed glued to the floor, stealing nervous glances at Morris beside me.
A cruel smile twisted Aileen's lips as she looked at Morris.
"Ana, here's some free advice. You've been Ridley's wife for years, your son's getting older. Keep playing around like this, and when word gets out, you'll be the town scandal," Aileen said.
I couldn't help but grin. "You've been leeching off our family as a widow for years without any shame, so what gives you the right to preach to me?"
My casual response nearly made Aileen lose it.
She clearly hadn't expected me to fight back. Before, I'd always just taken whatever she dished out.
Those days, no matter what Aileen said or pulled, I'd just grit my teeth and bear it.
But things had changed. Now I had a backbone—I'd bite back at anyone who crossed me.
