Chapter 1050

Jessica studied the woman before her. The woman's face was lined with sorrow, her shoulders slumped as if bearing the weight of the world. With a voice softer than her usual sharpness, Jessica said, "If you're looking for a way to keep going, step inside. Life here is simple, but no one will hurt you again."

At that, the woman's tears flowed freely, like an unstoppable river breaking through a dam. Her name was Camila Moore. Once, she and her husband, Soren Carter, had owned a thriving dye shop in the capital. They weren't wealthy, but their lives were comfortable. Their marriage was harmonious, and their family complete with a cherished daughter.

However, her daughter's birth had been harrowing. Camila nearly died from blood loss. The midwife saved her, but the verdict was clear: she could never bear another child. Camila grieved deeply, but Soren reassured her. "One daughter is enough," he'd said with a smile. "She is our treasure. Besides, I have two younger brothers; they'll carry on the family name."

Taking comfort in his words, Camila devoted herself to her role as the eldest sister-in-law, using their wealth to arrange advantageous marriages for her husband's brothers. In time, both younger men had wives and children. They held Camila in high regard and sought her advice on family matters.

A year ago, their world crumbled. Soren and their daughter, visiting relatives in the countryside, were killed by bandits. The grief was unbearable—her reason for living was gone.

She might have succumbed to despair, but the duty to care for her elderly parents and in-laws kept her going. She told herself she still had a purpose, a responsibility to honor her husband's family.

Her in-laws, however, did not share her loyalty. With Soren gone and no son to carry on the family name, they saw Camila as a burden to be discarded. In less than a year, they stripped her of everything—her home, the dye shop, and her savings. They cast her out, accusing her of beating her mother-in-law, an accusation supported by false witnesses and strategically placed bruises. The case went before the local authorities.

Despite her pleas of innocence, the testimonies of servants and her brothers-in-law's wives sealed her fate. Banished from her husband's home and branded a criminal, Camila turned to her own family for help. But her elder brother and his wife saw only disgrace, refusing her shelter and blaming her for sullying the Moore family name.

"I thought about ending it," Camila admitted, her voice trembling. "What reason was there to go on? But I couldn't—I couldn't let them win. If I died, I'd be giving them exactly what they wanted. No, I want to live. I want to reclaim the dye shop. I want to hold my head high again. I want to live better than any of them could ever dream.

"I've been cast out for over a month. I'd heard of Skye Embroidery, but with my reputation—beating my mother-in-law, they say—I thought there was no way you'd accept someone like me. I didn't believe such kindness toward women existed.

Her gaze flickered toward Violet, her eyes red-rimmed but bright with a faint glimmer of hope. "Then I heard of Lady Jessica. I thought about it for days. If someone like her could find refuge here, maybe just maybe, I could try my luck."

Violet studied her for a moment before asking, "Where have you been staying?"

"A woman who worked at our dye shop took me in," Camila admitted. "But her home is small, and I didn't want to burden her further." (The woman who had taken Camila in was probably facing blame from both Camila's natal and husband's families.)

Violet nodded. "Then stay. There's a place for you here."

Camila froze. They were accepting her, just like that? Didn't they need to investigate? "But I have a bad reputation."

Jessica scoffed. "Reputations are worthless. Do you think your bad name is worse than mine? They didn't hesitate to take me in."

Selma chimed in, "She's right. That's the infamous Lady Jessica. Her family discovered the truth about her past and welcomed her back to the marquis's estate."

Camila's mouth fell open in surprise. If Jessica had been welcomed back to her noble family, why was she still at Skye Embroidery?

Leona, leaning next to Violet, sniffled and wiped at her red-rimmed eyes. "Camila, I'm Leona. Welcome to Skye Embroidery." (Camila didn't know Leona's true identity yet, as no public announcement had been made.)

"You're living here too?" Camila asked.

Leona smiled. "That's right. For now, this is my home. Let's be friends. You worked in a dye shop—can you embroider as well?"

Camila nodded, a faint glimmer of hope in her eyes. "I can. I can do both."