Nancy clammed up the moment she saw Trevon.Riley's stern look eased a bit. She glanced at Lydia before turning to Trevon."I was starting to think you wouldn't show."Riley acted as if Lydia did not exist, treating her like a complete stranger.Lydia, still smiling, introduced herself, "Mrs. Yagle, I'm Trevon's friend and Madeline's sister, Lydia."Riley's expression turned frosty in a heartbeat, and she snapped at Madeline. "Didn't you realize we're having a family dinner? What's the deal with bringing a stranger?"Lydia's smile froze on her face.Madeline was at a loss, her eyes quietly pleading with Trevon. She was almost used to Riley's habit of jumping to conclusions.Trevon's expression was cool. "She's with me."Riley choked on her words, then shot him a reproachful look, her tone softening, "Madeline's out of line, and now you too? You're not worried about upsetting your grandmother?"Trevon simply replied, "Grandma won't mind."With that, he took Lydia by the hand
The kitchen was alive with enticing scents, and Madeline's mouth watered. She peeked in to find the cook, Karter Wilson, popping open a jar of kimchi."Wow! This kimchi is fantastic," Madeline said, genuinely impressed.Karter beamed at her. "I'm whipping up something special today—beef and kimchi noodles. Sounds good to you?"Madeline quickly nodded. "Easy on the spice, please."The Gibsons were no strangers to exotic flavors, but lately, Edith was watching her health and preferred her meals on the milder side.The kitchen's spicy aromas were overwhelming, so Madeline fixed herself a quick glass of lemon water and made a beeline for the stairs.…Upstairs, Trevon did not take Lydia straight to Edith. He settled her in the room before bracing himself to face his grandmother alone.Edith, having learned of Lydia's arrival, laid into him with fury. "This is your answer to me? What happened to everything you've learned?"Trevon's jaw was set, his resolve clear. "We're... I have t
"Grandma, I don't love Madeline. Forcing her to stay with the Gibsons will only hurt her more."Even though Madeline had anticipated Trevon's reasoning, his words still broke her heart.Thankfully, Ryan kept Lydia at bay, saving her from further humiliation.Edith's cane thudded against Trevon over and over.Madeline gently pushed the door open and called out for Edith. "Grandma."Edith paused, her cane still in midair. "Madeline, what brings you here?"Edith put down her cane as she spoke, trying to move closer to Madeline. Madeline helped her sit, carefully avoiding looking at Trevon."Grandma, you're on medication. You can't afford to get riled up like this. Take a deep breath and relax."Edith wore a look of sheer exasperation as if she were lamenting over unmet potential. "This is all because of that damned thing!"Edith's grip tightened on her cane, poised to strike Trevon again.Madeline stepped in swiftly. "I understand why you're upset, Grandma, but the scolding and
Edith glared at Ryan. "Not in a million years! The astrologer says Madeline is his guardian angel. He's only safe when she's around. Even if that weren't the case, I'd never let someone like Lydia through the Gibson family's doors!" "So, you're still going to…"Edith let out a deep sigh. "Just keep an eye on things. If it actually leads to divorce, then come tell me."Madeline took it as a sign that Edith was on board with the divorce, and a weight lifted from her chest. Edith had always been good to her, and Madeline hated the thought of causing her any distress over the divorce.Back in her room, Trevon was peeling off his shirt. His tanned skin made his muscles look more defined, and the bruises from Edith's cane added a rugged appeal to him.Then, Trevon caught Madeline's eye. "Help me with the ointment."Madeline guiltily looked away. "Why not have Lydia do it?"After all, he brought Lydia home. Why should Madeline be the one to care for him?A sour feeling crept into Tre
Madeline felt a sharp pang in her heart. Trevon was trampling on her pride just to make Lydia look good.What a joke their three-year marriage had become.Edith shot Trevon a look of disapproval and was about to say something when Madeline smiled and responded, "Lydia's our guest, after all."She gracefully accepted the coffee pot from the servant. She poured some coffee for Edith first before making her way around the table, serving each guest before reaching Lydia.Lydia greeted her with a smug smile. "Thanks for the effort."As she reached for the cup, Lydia feigned a burn and flung the coffee Madeline's way.Madeline had seen those petty games played out since childhood and was ready for it.Madeline quickly pulled back her hand. The hot coffee splashed onto Lydia's pink dress, soaking it and sending up a waft of steam."Ah!"Lydia frantically fanned her dress, staring at Madeline in shock.However, Madeline looked genuinely apologetic. "I thought you had a good grip befo
Yanely could not stand sour and spicy food. How was she supposed to mingle with friends later if she smelt like that?Nancy looked conflicted. "Mrs. Gibson requested it, but..."Yanely snorted, "She's no Mrs. Gibson to me! Away with it!"Her words made Edith's face sour.Riley quickly said, "Sour and spicy isn't good for you. Madeline doesn't get it, and neither do you all. Let's not have it on the table again."Riley shot Yanely a sharp look and snapped, "Stop your babbling and sit down already."Madeline, still in the kitchen, was puzzled to see a servant take the beef and kimchi noodles away.Nancy grumbled, "Why on earth did Mrs. Gibson have to make beef and kimchi noodles? Thanks to that, I got an earful from the young mistress."Madeline was speechless. Was Riley not the one who decided on the dinner menu?She had only made a small suggestion, so how did it suddenly become her insistence?The dinner was still in progress, and she did not want to cause a scene, so she re
Madeline's day-long hunger was finally quelled after her meal with Karter.She was careful not to overeat, especially since she had researched all the dietary rules for her pregnancy. She had taken note of everything to avoid and had subsisted mainly on sour fruits to get by.Madeline reasoned that a little indulgence once in a while was not a big deal. She had a good sense of moderation.Madeline had thought that laying low would keep her out of trouble. However, trouble flared up again right after dinner when everyone wanted the apple pie.Edith had left the table early, too upset to deal with the family's nosy questions about Lydia's identity. She sought solace in her room.That left Riley to fend for herself. She was seething, and the absence of the homemade apple pie was the last straw.Madeline's sister had shown up instead, turning the Gibson household into a joke. Madeline had conveniently disappeared, leaving Riley in the line of fire."Where's Madeline? Get her out her
Edith entered the dining hall, her cane tapping the floor, her expression as frigid as ice. "You seem to have a problem with the granddaughter-in-law I've chosen," she observed.Riley squirmed with a twinge of guilt. "Mom, it's not like that. I was just trying to teach her how to be a proper daughter-in-law.""Is that some outdated idea of yours? Maybe I should school you on daughter-in-law duties too."Edith had never mistreated Riley, even when she was not fond of her as a daughter-in-law. She wondered where Riley had picked up such behavior.Riley rushed to explain. "Mom... Don't make the kids mock me."Riley cleared her throat and turned to Madeline. "Okay, okay. I was just giving you a little fright. You got all worked up for nothing."Madeline's eyes were glued to her phone. Riley muttered a curse under her breath and dialed another number.Finally, Madeline breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Grandma."Edith's gaze fell on the red mark staining Madeline's cheek, her hear