Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1034

In the side hall, Selma had prepared some coffee. Jessica gulped down an entire cup, her throat dry, her stomach growling. She was hungry and thirsty, but she dared not leave her room for fear the people outside would burst in and come for her.

Seeing Jessica in such a state, Selma said, "I saw you working diligently just a couple of days ago. How about I make you a bowl of noodles?"

"Thank you," Jessica murmured softly, her voice thick with tears as she watched Selma leave.

Her eyes were swollen, and the toll of exhaustion had taken its full effect. She looked like someone utterly defeated, stripped of all dignity.

"Everything I could give, I gave. I paid my debts," she muttered, her voice flat. "I still owe people so much money. I know I don't deserve any sympathy. I'm no good, but do you really think that as a so-called duchess in Ironridge Estate, I could do anything evil?

"My mother-in-law hates me, my husband doesn't care for me, and I don't even have control over the household. When my mom was around, I spent twenty days a month at Harmony Palace. After they took my mom away, the Kingsley family fell apart. I was demoted to a commoner, and even in Ironridge Estate, I endured everything that happened there. Even when I was upset, I kept my mouth shut."

Tears streamed down her face. "I didn't have anything against that woman who married into the Marquis of Ironridge's family. I had no say in the matter anyway. Maybe I would've cared before, but not now. When Serena came into the family, I hated her. Carissa, I know you think I brought all this on myself, because the one she wanted was Rafael. So yes, it's karma."

Jessica wiped her eyes and nose with her sleeve, choking on a sob. "I did hit Serena, but she deserved it. She was vile, using every dirty trick to vie for favor. She'd do anything to get attention, and even my mother-in-law knew about it. She punished Serena more than once.

"As for Flora, she never offended me or anything before. After she came into the household, she always behaved herself. She would address and treat me respectfully whenever she saw me. If it weren't for her, I would've slapped her mom long ago. Why would I harm her child? Think about my situation there. Why would I bother-"

Having been listening to her ramble, Violet interrupted, "What did Flora's mom do to you?"

Jessica's eyes flared with anger. "That woman is vicious. She stole my royal jelly soup. She said I was like a useless hen who couldn't lay eggs, so I shouldn't even bother eating it. She said it would be better if her daughter, who was carrying the marquis' precious heir, ate it. She said as a lowly commoner, I had no right to such luxuries."