Excluded
Dinner at the Blackwood mansion was usually a formal affair–perfect table setting, multiple courses, polite
conversation.
But tonight there was thick tension in the air.
Alina was in the kitchen, helping Mrs. Helen prepare food. Her hands automatically chopped vegetables, arranged plates, though her mind was empty.
She could hear laughter from the dining room–Clarissa’s light giggle, Margaret’s approving voice, Daniel’s occasional chuckle, and Junior’s excited chatter.
A happy family. Without Alina.
Mrs. Helen glanced at Alina with a worried face. “Ma’am, why don’t you join them for dinner? It’s time to eat.”
“I’m not hungry,” Alina lied.
“But Ma’am didn’t eat lunch either-”
“I’m fine, Mrs. Helen.” Alina cut in with a gentle but firm voice. “Just… prepare dinner for them. I’ll eat later in my room.”
Mrs. Helen looked like she wanted to protest but Alina was already carrying the tray of food to the dining room.
There, Daniel sat at the end of the table with Clarissa to his right–a position that was usually empty or sometimes occupied by Margaret on formal occasions. Junior’s high chair was set up between Daniel and Clarissa’s chairs. Margaret sat across from them. 1
Table setting for only four people.
Alina placed the serving dishes on the table with steady hands though her heart was breaking. There was no place for her. Literally no fifth plate.
Clarissa looked at Alina with a sweet smile that was somehow condescending. “Oh Alina, thank you for helping with dinner. You’re so helpful.”
Helpful. Like a servant.
“Alina,” Clarissa continued in a thoughtful tone, “actually I have a request. For tonight’s dinner, maybe you could not join us?”
Alina froze for a moment, looking at Clarissa.
“I mean,” Clarissa quickly added in a soft and reasonable voice, “I just think this is a good opportunity for Junior to bond with me without distraction. You understand, right? This isn’t personal.”
Of course it’s personal. But Clarissa was wrapping it in a reasonable excuse,
Margaret immediately supported her. “That’s a good idea. Alina, you can eat in your room. Give space for Junior and Clarissa.”
Alina glanced at Daniel–waiting for the man to defend her, to say Alina had the right to eat with the family. 2
But Daniel just stayed silent, staring at his wine glass with a slightly tense jaw.
Not defending. As usual.
1/3
+25 Bonus
“Alina,” Clarissa’s voice became a bit softer, almost pleading now. She looked at Daniel with slightly teary eyes. “I don’t want to make it uncomfortable. Maybe I was wrong to suggest this. Daniel, what do you think?”
Subtle manipulation. Putting Daniel in a position where he had to choose–defend the “vulnerable” Clarissa or defend Alina who was “always there.”
Daniel finally looked up, looking at Alina with a conflicted expression. “Maybe for tonight, you could give space for Clarissa, Alina. Just for tonight. For Junior.”
Always for Junior. Never for Alina. Even Daniel never thought about her feelings.
Alina stood there with the empty tray in her hands, feeling every pair of eyes watching her–waiting for a reaction. Waiting for protest.
Five years ago, Alina might have cried. Might have begged. Might have shown hurt.
But now? Alina just felt empty.
“Sure,” Alina said in a flat voice, without emotion. “Enjoy dinner. I’ll eat in my room.
She turned to leave.
“Alina-” Daniel started, there was something in his voice. Guilt? Concern?
But Alina didn’t stop. Didn’t look back. Just walked out of the dining room with her head high, back straight.
Daniel watched Alina’s retreating back, feeling something twist uncomfortably in his chest.
Something was wrong. Something about the way Alina didn’t protest, didn’t show emotion, just accepted and left.
That’s not right.
But before Daniel could analyze that feeling, Clarissa touched his arm gently. “Daniel, I hope I didn’t cause problems. Maybe I should call Alina back—”
“No, it’s fine,” Daniel said quickly, shifting attention from the empty doorway. “You’re right. Junior needs focused time with you.”
Margaret nodded approvingly. “Exactly. Alina is too sensitive. She’ll be fine.”
But Daniel wasn’t sure about that.
In her room, Alina sat on the edge of the bed with the tray of food Mrs. Helen brought–soup, salad, main course.
But Alina didn’t touch it. Just stared at the food with empty eyes.
Not hungry. Couldn’t eat. Just felt numb.
A soft knock on the door, then a small voice. “Mama?”
Alina’s heart immediately squeezed. Junior.
She quickly wiped her eyes–there were no tears but just in case–and opened the door.
Junior stood there in a slightly wrinkled little shirt, messy hair, big eyes looking at Alina with worry.
“Why didn’t Mama eat with Junior?” Junior asked, stepping inside. “Junior looked for Mama in the dining room but Mama wasn’t there.”
2/3
Fachadad
+25 Bonus
Alina knelt, looking into the child’s eyes. “Mama doesn’t feel well, sweetheart. So I’m eating in my room.”
Junior immediately panicked, touching Alina’s forehead with his small hand. “Mama has a fever? Mama is sick?”
“No, sweetheart-”
“Junior will check!” Junior was serious now, touching Alina’s cheeks, Alina’s neck, like he’d seen Alina do when he was sick. “Is Mama hot?”
“Junior, Mama’s not sick-”
“But Mama didn’t eat!” Junior pointed to the untouched tray. “Mama said if you don’t eat, your body will get sick. Why isn’t Mama eating?”
Alina couldn’t answer. Her throat choked with emotions threatening to overflow.
Junior looked at the tray, then looked at Alina, then with determination, he climbed onto the bed, sitting next to the tray.
“Junior will feed Mama!” Junior picked up a spoon with his small hand, carefully scooping soup. “Mama has to eat to be healthy. Open your mouth, Mama!”
Tears threatened to fall. Alina saw this six–year–old boy–so innocent, so caring, so genuinely worried about her.
With a broken heart, Alina opened her mouth, letting Junior feed her the soup.
“Good!” Junior smiled proudly. “One more!”
They ate together like that–Junior feeding Alina a few spoonfuls, then Alina feeding Junior. Turn by turn. Like a
game.
And for that moment, Alina forgot the pain. Forgot Margaret’s words. Forgot Clarissa and Daniel downstairs.
There was only her and Junior. As usual. Like the last five years.
What they didn’t realize–Daniel stood at the slightly open doorway, watching.
He’d come to check on Junior who suddenly ran from the dinner table. But now he stood frozen, seeing the scene before him.
BIG SALE: 3500 bonus free fou you
