Chapter 37

Rosalie returned to the dining room and saw that the Grahams and Julian were already seated at the table. Helena's seat was the one Rosalie had always occupied before her marriage—the spot that had always belonged to her in Graham Villa. Rosalie couldn't help but think, "Even though I'm married now, no one can take my place."

She walked up to Helena, her gaze unwavering. Helena, sensing the weight of Rosalie's stare, looked up with a soft, almost hesitant expression, asking quietly, "Rosalie, what's wrong?"

Despite the burning hatred Helena harbored for Rosalie, and the fantasy of seeing her destroyed, she feared crossing Julian above all else. She dared not show disdain in his presence. All Helena could do was hope Julian would eventually see through Rosalie's facade and become disgusted with her.

"Get up. This is my seat," Rosalie's voice was firm, her words cutting through the tense air like a sharp blade.

Helena's grip tightened on her utensils. She glared at Rosalie, her pride stung by Rosalie's proud, unapologetic stance. Finally, unable to contain herself, Helena said, "Rosalie, I'm used to sitting next to Dad. There's an empty seat over there. You can sit there."

Helena's seat was to the left of Edward, a position she had always considered special. While these days there wasn't a strict seating hierarchy like in the old days of nobility, Helena still believed that sitting there made her feel superior to Rosalie. She had lost so many battles to Rosalie already, and she wasn't about to lose this one.

Rosalie stood before her, arms crossed, towering above her as if to emphasize the power she still wielded in this house. "This seat has always been mine. Just because I'm married doesn't mean I'm willing to give it up for you."

"What's this? You've been living under our roof, spending our money, and now you think you can just waltz in and take my place? How dare you!"