Margery stood at the top of the stairs, still reeling from Antonia’s visit. She shuddered as she remembered her adopted niece’s eyes as she cried, “You’re ruining my chances with Laird.”
“Laird’s your brother—“
“Adoptive brother.”
“He doesn’t love you, Antonia—“
“Because you’ve been telling him horrible things about me.”
“Antonia—“
“You’ll be sorry.”
Margery’s hand trembled now as she reached out to grab the handrail. Then, she froze, thinking she heard a sound behind her, but before she could turn around, she was tumbling down the steps, landing at the bottom. A figure stood over her.
100 Words
This post is for the Friday’s Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. You can find this week’s prompt here. To read other stories or to participate, click here.
Notes to Women 
An adoption gone wrong.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right. And both Laird and his aunt Margery regret his parents adopting her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think Antonia’s way might have been apparent to anyone….if Margery had ever said anything, she probably didn’t need to.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Aunt Margery didn’t have to say anything but concern for the safety of her nephew’s wife prompted her to speak to Laird about Antonia and that’s why she was accused of ruining her chances. Margery always knew that there was something dreadfully wrong with Antonia.
LikeLike
An extreme resolution, especially as Aunt Margery is probably right – an adoptive brother is a messy romance before it even begins!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Her adoptive brother despises her and besides, he’s happily married to his pregnant wife whom he adores. He has never had nor will ever have any romantic feelings for Antonia and that was what Aunt Margery was trying to make her understand.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow. A startling fragment of much larger story. interesting,
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right, Bill, this is a fragment of an ongoing series.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Adele,
I see by the comments, there’s a much bigger picture.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rochelle,
Yes. This is the latest installment of an ongoing series. Antonia is obsessed with her adoptive brother, Laird who despises her for what she did to his older and deceased brother, Karson. No one, especially not Aunt Margery can persuade Antonia to give up her unhealthy pursuit of a future with Laird which she will never have.
She refuses to accept that he has never and will never reciprocate her feelings.
Shalom,
Adele
LikeLike
Oh my, a fatal attraction that lives in the same home.
YIKES!!! I love the mystery ending. A very well-written story.
Have a wonderful weekend …
Isadora 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, this is fatal attraction on her part. Laird and she are not living in the family home anymore. He moved out years ago after his older brother, Karson died. He blamed Antonia for his death. If you want to know a bit of the history, check out https://notestowomen.wordpress.com/2021/07/07/old-stomping-ground/ Thanks, Isadora. Am happy you thought it was a very well written story. You have yourself a wonderful weekend too 🙂
LikeLike
A mystery in the making. So much more to tell.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, there’s much more to come, Brenda 🙂
LikeLike
Nothing worse than one obsessed with what one cannot have… (nor is wanted in return!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I totally agree with you, Dale. It is heartbreaking to see so many people wasting their lives pursuing people or things they were never meant to have. Life is way too short and precious to waste it like that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve got that right!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Motherless children have a hard time…” Sounds frightening. I hope Margery survives. Antonia’s adoptive mother is in for a long haul with Antonia.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Antonia was raised in a loving home. Her adoptive parents adored her, especially her mother and she got along well with her adoptive brothers until Karson fell in love with her but she fell in love with his younger brother, Laird. Both Karson and his mother are dead, so it’s Antonia’s adoptive father who is in for a long haul. She’s still living at home with him. Hopefully, Aunt Margery survives.
LikeLiked by 1 person