There was no soothing an annoyed Abby, not when she felt that this woman here was the root of all her problems. “Tea? Are you serious? You really going to continue to just play coy with me? WITH ME?” her voice rose in true shock as if she could not believe that this woman was going to try and play that naïve. “You walk around here like you are as pure as snow and yet you spread those legs wide for that Ranger. Let him take what was supposed to be for my brother and continued to do so right under this roof. Carrying that bastard and everyone just trots about you like your shit is made from flowers and I am sick of it!” venom in her words that were spat out in a jealous rage. “Why? That is all I want to know is why they allow you to do this and yet I am treated like some kind of leper.”<br/><br/>As the woman began to yell, her voice increasing in volume, Maria closed her door and locked it, trying to prepare her next move as Abby continued on a tirade. Nothing she was saying was untrue, but that didn't mean she was going to acknowledge it, at least the portion to do with Brad, especially to her. "Abby..." she started, her tone still just as soft as it'd been when trying to get her to leave. Just as soft as it always was, as was proper. "I'm not sure what's brought you to this conclusion, but you're not treated like a leper." Taking a few steps toward her, her hands clasped in front of her, she kept her demeanor calm and collected. "You've a way of rubbing people wrong, of speaking crass and tactless. You're used to things going whatever way you deem them... The very first night I was here, you attacked my privilege as though you weren't afforded the same, and I'd not yet said two words to you. We've two entirely different approaches when it comes to any social interaction, and yours is very direct.<span style="font-style: italic">Too</span>direct in the majority of instances." Her eyes narrowed a touch in genuine confusion. "You truly can't see why you'd have a different reception than I would in a number of settings?"<br/><br/>Abby narrowed her eyes, “How hard was it for him to convince you to give to him? One night? Two? Was he gentle or did he just throw you down and take it from you? Did he hold you after? Or was there nothing but cold humor in his eyes as he laughed because he ruined you and did not care for you?” there was something about how she spoke that made it seem like she was speaking from experience. “My tone,” she practically spat out the words. “My tone and the way that I conduct myself has nothing to do with anything. It’s what people know of me and then how they treat me. If they knew about you they would just treat you the same, because I just do not know what it is about you but people fawn over you like you invented the air that we breathe.”<br/><br/>"Where you've impropriety that precedes your name long before anyone glimpses your face, I've none to speak of," Maria answered plainly. "You're simply putting your own problems onto me when they're not mine to bear. You can hold me in contempt all you'd like, but that won't change matters." She made to lift one shoulder the smallest fraction as though to shrug (though she didn't commit fully to the action given it being unladylike), moving to her door again. Her hand rested against the doorknob, glancing back at Abby with a pensive expression. "Where you've no intentions of properly discussing anything, we've nothing further to talk about." Opening the door, she gestured outward. "My offer for tea another time still stands should you wish to have a civilized conversation."<br/><br/>“Brad can’t be yours, so he has to be someone’s,” is all she said then exited the room. Tears rolled down her cheeks though she did not seem to notice or care. Down the halls, Abby walked to her room where she slammed the door and finally allowed herself to cry and rage. All of the anger that she had for this one woman who had the life that should have been her’s. If there was anything that Abby could do to ruin her happiness she would. Which meant getting Brad and making him belong to her and only her. That would crush Maria and have her feel the pain that she felt each and every day.