Yvonne arrived at her grandmother’s house. After her parents had divorced, her mother returned to her family’s home.The moment she stepped in, Chandra Fisher walked over. “Vonnie, you’re here.”Chandra was Yvonne’s grandmother and Xyla’s mother, the matriarch of the Carter family. At 80 years old, she took care of herself well and looked just slightly over 50. She had an imposing aura about her, one that belonged to a strong-willed and powerful woman. Yet, when she looked at Yvonne, she was all smiles and looked every bit the benevolent grandmother.“Grandma,” Yvonne said as she approached Chandra and wrapped her arms around the latter’s arm. “What’s up?”Chandra smiled warmly; she pulled Yvonne to the couch, and sat her down.“I missed you. Must you only come when something happens?”“No,” Yvonne said. “Grandma, I was just worried about you. I thought something had happened when you called me, so I rushed all the way here.”“My good granddaughter, I didn’t dote on you in vai
“Grandma,” Yvonne said, filled with melancholy, “Is Mom feeling very miserable right now?”“Not just that. I saw her crying so hard this morning. She doesn’t want the divorce at all, but your dad…” Chandra held Yvonne’s hand. “Vonnie, don’t blame me for speaking ill of him, but I think he must have a mistress. That’s why he’s divorcing your mom.”“What?” Yvonne yelped in shock. “Grandma, are you sure about that?”Chandra said, “I heard that he had a girlfriend many years ago, whom he broke up to marry my daughter. We didn’t investigate this thoroughly. Someone heard him calling a woman who seemed to be his first lover. I suspect that they’re hooking up again now, which is why your dad asked your mom for a divorce. Otherwise, why would he ask for one when they’ve been married for over thirty years?”“Grandma, I’ll go ask Dad.” Yvonne stood up in a huff. Chandra grabbed her arm. “Silly girl, will he tell you even if you went to him?”“Then what should we do, Grandma? If this is tr
“Don’t worry. I won’t let Dad find me out.”“Good girl! I really didn’t dote you in vain. Come tell me about it once you find out. My heart is breaking seeing how upset your mom is.”Tears fell from Chandra’s eyes as she spoke. “How could I let my darling daughter get bullied like this?”“Grandma, don’t cry. Don’t worry, I’ll get to the bottom of things. If Dad really has an affair, I won’t forgive him either.”Chandra patted Yvonne’s hand. “That’s the daughter of the Carter family.”-Xyla came downstairs, and saw Yvonne walking out. She wanted to call Yvonne back, but Yvonne left in a hurry and disappeared from sight very quickly.Xyla approached her mother. “Mom, why didn’t you tell me that Vonnie was here?”“You were resting upstairs. I didn’t want to disturb you.”Xyla looked at her mother with doubt. “Mom, did you call her over? What for?”Upon seeing the doubt on her daughter’s face, Chandra decided not to hide the truth from her.“I called Vonnie over to ask her why
In the evening, the soft sunlight filtered through the villa's windows, casting a warm golden glow across the room. Inside, it was quiet, with a faint floral fragrance lingering in the air, as if time had frozen at that very moment. A gentle breeze lightly brushed against the curtains, whispering softly.Geoffrey leaned against Sydney from behind, his fingers gently tracing her shoulder. He couldn't help but lower his head to give her a kiss.Sydney opened her tired eyes, a wave of irritation and disgust flickering in them. She tried to shift her body to avoid his kiss, but she had no strength left. She had been trapped here for hours.Over twenty years ago, they had been the closest of people, but now everything had changed. Sydney only felt hatred and contempt toward Geoffrey, even a sense of disdain.Geoffrey lay beside her, satisfied. He pulled her tightly into his arms. "Sydney, it's been almost thirty years, and finally, we've reunited. Though we're no longer young, the feeli
"What's wrong? I was just telling the truth. Did it hurt your pride? Well, there's nothing I can do about that. I have no idea where you get the confidence to think I'd have any feelings for you."Could it be that when you're with those young girls, they're pretending to flatter you and butter you up just to fool you, an old man? You actually believe that you can make women fall for you easily? Tsk, tsk, tsk, how pitiful.""Shut up!" Geoffrey covered her mouth. "Sydney, don't think I don't know you're deliberately provoking me! You're clearly just being stubborn."He yanked the blanket away, forcefully flipping her over on the bed, making her lie face down. Grabbing a fistful of her hair, he lifted her head and hissed into her ear, "Sydney, I'll make sure you know the price of being stubborn. Don't even think about leaving tonight!"His rage consumed him, like a wild beast ravaging its prey. Yet deep inside, his pride had been severely wounded. It was precisely because of this th
Yvonne arrived at her father's place, carrying the roast duck with her. As soon as she stepped into the living room, a servant quickly approached her. "Ms. Carter, you're here.""Where's my dad?" Yvonne asked.The servant smiled and replied, "Mr. Carter is upstairs. He's still busy with some work, and asked me to look after you for now. Please, Ms. Carter, have a seat in the living room."Yvonne handed over the packaged roast duck. "This is the roast duck I bought for him. It seems to have cooled down a bit, so please heat it up.""Of course, Ms. Carter. Please make yourself comfortable in the living room.""No need," Yvonne said. "I'll go upstairs and find my dad to see what he's busy with."Just as Yvonne was about to head upstairs, the servant suddenly stopped her. "Wait a moment, Ms. Carter.""What's the matter?" Yvonne asked, feeling puzzled. "Why are you stopping me?""Mr. Carter is busy upstairs. He said he wants to finish his work quickly, so it's best not to disturb hi
Yvonne asked, "Dad, does that mean you and Mom have wanted to divorce for a long time and were just waiting for Sebastian and me to grow up?"Geoffrey remained silent. His lack of response was as good as an admission.Yvonne sighed softly. "If that's the case, then why did you marry Mom in the first place? Did you marry her because you loved her? If it was out of love, why did the love fade later? And if it wasn't for love, then why marry in the first place?"Faced with Yvonne's questions, Geoffrey didn't know how to answer. He had never told his children the truth about his marriage to Xyla.Seeing her father's silence, Yvonne understood. What her grandmother had said must be true. Geoffrey married Xyla purely for his own benefit. He had used her to climb the social ladder.He never truly loved her. That was why, over the years, he never treated her mother with the care one would show a loved one. Now that he didn't have anything to lose, he divorced her without hesitation. Ho
Geoffrey's earlier seriousness faded away, replaced by fatherly warmth. His words brought Yvonne a little comfort."Dad, I understand.""That's good. I'm really happy you came to have dinner with me tonight. I've asked the kitchen to prepare your favorite dishes."He didn't want Yvonne to discover that Sydney was there. However, Sydney was so exhausted from his torment that she wouldn't wake up, not even if thunder struck.After Yvonne finished eating with him, she would leave. At that point, he would return to his room and continue sleeping with Sydney."Thank you, Dad." Yvonne smiled. "Dad, no matter what happens, remember that we're family and I'll always be your daughter. Even though you and Mom divorced, I know there must have been no way to continue living together, which is why you made that choice. The divorce is good for both of you. As your daughter, I just want you both to be happy. If one day you meet someone who can make you happy, you must tell me. I will support you