Chapter Seven

Andrew said in a low rumble, “Either way, Caroline is still Raymond’s mother. Yes, we are no longer legally married, but we can’t just close our eyes to her suffering.”

Old Mrs Pierce frowned slightly as she retorted, “It’s the woman’s decision to slap our helping hand away. You, yourself, are familiar with her weird and stubborn attitude. It has been nothing but trouble since she came into the Pierce Family. She’s unwilling to own up to her mistakes and refuses to communicate with the rest of the family, causing all of us to walk on eggshells around the house. I did the best I could by offering her help once but she refused it. We’re not running a charity here, I’m not going to beg her to accept our help.”

“Regardless, you should have at least told me….”

“Andrew, your marriage to her was from the beginning a huge mistake. Your father was obviously not thinking straight when he allowed that woman to marry intonour family. I know it couldn’t have been easy for you living with that horrible woman. It was a blessing she asked for a divorce so I’m not going to give her any chance to squirm her way back into our family. Also, she’s a grown woman, she’s not going to die from hunger.”

[True, but she’s not doing much living either….. when the truth is revealed to Ray in the future, he’ll definitely be mad at them.]

Without waiting for his breakfast to arrive, Andrew stood up and said, “I’m going to the office.”

“But you haven’t even had your breakfast yet.” Old Mrs Pierce called after him but Andrew strode out of the house without even once turning his head.

“See, didn’t I tell you not to hide it from our son? I told you that he’s going to be pissed when he finds out.” Andrew’s dad, Oliver Pierce, chided his wife.

Old Mrs Pierce leveled him a sidelong glance. “You are blaming me now? This is all your fault. If you didn’t agree to the marriage in the first instance, we wouldn’t have ended up in this hot mess. Now you see, none of the parties involved are happy.”

Oliver sighed. “ I owe Caroline’s father my life and that was his dying wish, so how could I have said no? And also, how could I possibly have known that the two of them won’t match. In any case, I’ve learnt my lesson. I’ll stay out of our son’s marriage in the future. He can choose whoever he likes to marry.”

“What nonsense are you spouting this time? That person has been chosen and it is Jenna. I have known this girl since she was a baby and I have always treated her as my own daughter. She is perfect for Andrew.” Old Mrs Pierce’s mouth curved into a smile with the mention of Jenna’s name.

* * * * *

Caroline woke up with fatigue bearing down on her. The sudden recovery of her memory must have added some pressure to her mental state. The fact that she was run down by a car didn’t help her situation either. She decided to stay home that day to nurse her health. It was a school holiday so Cole also stayed back home to help take care of his sister.

“Sis, are you sure you’re feeling well? Shall we go to the hospital?” Cole enquired worriedly.

Caroline shook her head, saying, “I’m fine. Doctor’s orders, I’m to stay home for a few days to rest. The injury is not so serious or else they wouldn’t have let me out.”

“But you are looking frighteningly pale.”

“This is how a recovering patient normally looks…” Caroline said with forced levity. She didn’t want to go back to the hospital.

Their family couldn’t afford to spend on her medical bill. Andrew had obviously let the driver who knocked her down go. She didn’t want to owe Andrew so she chose to suffer in silence. Cole who couldn’t bear to see his sister like this, added, “Sis, I think it’s better we go see the doctor. We still have some money left to spare. Even dad said to bring you to the hospital before he left for work so please listen to us.

In truth, they barely had enough for a check up. Caroline insisted her injury wasn’t serious and refused to leave her room. Cole of course knew why she wouldn’t go. When he was at his wit’s end, someone knocked at their house door. It sounded slow and deliberate, a huge contrast to the rushed ones normally done by their ruffian neighbors.

Cole asked curiously “Who could that be?” They weren’t used to entertaining guests so his interest was piqued. He opened the door to find a young man in a sharp business suit. “Excuse me, does Miss Caroline Roberts live here?” The man asked politely.

Cole nodded, “She does but who are you, why are you looking for my sister?”

The man smiled, “I’m Mr Andrew Pierce’s personal assistant, my name is Liam Williams. CEO Pierce wants me to send something over to Miss Roberts. May I know if she’s home?

The moment Liam Williams revealed he worked for the Pierce Family, Cole’s expression dimmed. However, his good manners still compelled him to say, “My sister is not feeling so well at the moment, but please come in.”

“Thank you.”

The terrible sound proofing of their apartment’s walls and the apartment’s cramped overall space meant that Caroline could hear their exchange even though she was inside her bedroom.

Their apartment only had two rooms and a living area. The living area was barely big enough to fit the little furniture they had. Cole led Liam Williams into Caroline’s bedroom where a sickly Caroline lay slumped on her bed’s headboard. Liam Williams’s measured expression slipped for a moment to reveal his shock. He couldn’t believe that the fragile looking woman in the room was the same woman he once served as his boss’s wife and the young master’s mother…

His temporary shock was quickly covered up by his good training, and he courteously presented a check to Caroline. “Nice to meet you again Miss Roberts. CEO Andrew wants me to present this to you. He said this originally belongs to you so please accept it.” Even before Caroline accepted it, she knew it was a check for a hundred million dollars. She correctly guessed that Andrew had just found out that the alimony cheque given to her three years ago was rejected.

She rejected it three years ago and was going to reject it again. “Tell your boss I’m thankful, but I can’t accept this. He doesn’t owe me anything, so I won’t accept this from him.” Caroline said nonchalantly. Liam Williams was surprised. Confused, he added, “Miss Roberts, aren’t you going to check how much money is on it first?”

“It’s one hundred million, right?”

“Yes…” Liam Williams' shock only deepened. Since she knew how much money was on it, why would she reject it outright?”

Caroline noticed his confusion so she answered, “I didn’t take the money three years ago and the thought to claim it hadn’t even crossed my mind, so I won’t accept it now. Go back and tell Andrew the only thing he owes me is to give our son a good life.”

“But…”

“Cole, please help me show Mr Williams out. I’m tired.”

“Mr Williams, you heard my sister. We won’t accept your money,” Cole echoed as he moved to lead Liam Williams out.

Before Liam Williams left their home, he tried to persuade Cole to accept the check on his sister’s behalf but his offer was firmly rejected. Staring at the closer wooden door, Liam Williams couldn’t help but be intrigued by this family. It was obvious that they were in need of money so why wouldn’t they just accept his offer? It was one hundred million dollars! Is it possible that their dignity couldn’t be bought or they felt the amount offered was too little?