My Ex-Husband Wants Me Again

It was early spring and chilly at night. Pearl had turned off the heater in Tina's room. Tina felt chilled to her bones.

Tina glared at the culprit and roared, "Pearl!"

"You seem to be having a great time. Let me add to your excitement. How about that? Is it thrilling enough? If not, I can have someone bring in some toilet water for you," Pearl mocked.

The music continued blasting. Pearl threw the tub at the stereo, knocking it over. The loud noise startled Tina. The music stopped abruptly.

"What's happening?" Ralph was woken by the din and rushed over from the other guest room in his sleepwear. He was furious to see Tina soaked and bullied, but his tone softened when he turned to Pearl. "Pearl, why the fuss?"

"Dad, she poured water on me. I'm freezing..." Tina shivered uncontrollably, speaking before Pearl could. She added, "It was cold, and I couldn't sleep. I thought I'd listen to music, but Pearl wouldn't allow it." Tina looked at Ralph tearfully, hoping Ralph would back her up. Ralph was shivering too. Though he was angry, he didn't dare to scold Pearl. He coaxed Tina, "Pearl has just returned. Cut her some slack. Don't argue with her."

Tina didn't expect her father's change in attitude.

"What are you expecting, Tina? This is my house." Pearl laughed at Tina's dumbfounded expression. She raised her eyebrows coldly. "Are you done acting?"

Ralph and Tina's faces flushed with embarrassment and humiliation.

Pearl eyed Tina lazily. "If there's a next time, I'll throw you into the pool. Perhaps that'll clear your mind." She glanced at them. "My house, my rules. I'm a light sleeper and can't stand noise at night. Can't stand it? Leave." With that, Pearl left.

"Pearl." Ralph asked meekly, "The heating has been broken for days. When will it be fixed? It's cold."

"I'm not the repairman. How should I know?" Pearl walked past them, amused. She had much more waiting for them.

"Dad, look at her..." Tina pouted, pointing at Pearl.

"Alright, Tina. Chill..." Ralph calmed her down.

Tina tidied her messy room herself. Closing the door, she dried her hair while grumbling angrily, "Dad, are we gonna let Pearl push us around?"

Ralph's face was stern. His heart still ached over the vase Pearl had broken. It was worth around a million dollars. How could Pearl dismiss it as a replica?

"Dad, we're finally where we are today. Do you want to give it up?" Tina crouched down before Ralph. "Don't you remember how we bowed and scraped before Uncle Ken and Aunt Rebecca? I don't wanna do that again."

Ralph narrowed his eyes. He snorted. "You think I haven't considered it? Pearl's return is sudden and mysterious, and she has all the power. Whatever she says, goes. Who will risk opposing her?"

"Her parents were dead. There's no one to back her up. She's nothing." Tina advised, "If we don't get rid of her now, she will only grow stronger. She definitely knew something and returned for revenge. We need to strike first. Dad, you mustn't be soft-hearted!" The dim light highlighted the sinister expression on Tina's face.

Ralph played with the ring on his thumb, his eyes murderous. "Relax. If she goes too far, I won't hold back."

Pearl lay quietly on the bed, listening to their conversation through the bug she had placed in their rooms. She smirked and thought they were so confident.

*****

Tina slept until midday the next day. Turning around in bed, she called on the internal phone line and ordered lazily, "Ainsley, come and prepare a bath for me. Pick some flowers from the courtyard. I'm going to have a flower bath."

A somewhat familiar voice answered her. "Miss Tina, Ainsley Brooks has been dismissed. Furthermore, Miss Pearl has ordered that the roses in the courtyard mustn't be damaged, so we can't fulfill your order."

Tina set up, frowning. "Who are you?"

"I'm Emily Horton, the housekeeper you dismissed. Please to serve you again," the voice said.

The news stunned Tina. Thoroughly awake, she hung up the call, threw on her robe, and rushed outside.

As Tina descended the stairs, she noticed several servants cleaning, but none were her people. All of them were old servants of Woolery Court. Pearl had sent away her people, but Tina had managed to bribe a few. However, they were all gone now. Tina also discovered the flowers she had planted in the courtyard had been uprooted and replaced with vibrant red roses in full bloom. Tina clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. "Pearl!"