Adeline's stepmother is called Niang by all the children, which is a word for "mother." She is a self-centered woman and hates Joseph's children by his first marriage. She takes over the household and rules with an iron fist, even to the point of refusing to give Joseph's father and sister spending money. She moves all Joseph's assets into her name and refuses to give any to the children. When Jeanne dies, Adeline discovers that Jeanne has cut Adeline completely out of her will.