Chapter 9 He Had Someone in His Heart
It was her mom–in–law, Laura Hewitt.
Eleanor picked up the phone. “Hello, Laura.”
On the other end, Laura’s tone was a bit impatient. “Come back, I need to talk to you.”
Eleanor paused for a few seconds before finally responding with a simple “Okay.”
Laura was probably the best person from the McKenzie family toward her. Everything, including Margaret’s hospital bills and medical expenses, was paid for by Laura out of her own pocket.
As for the divorce, Gabriel had told her on the day she mentioned it not to let Laura know.
There was no such thing as a wall that didn’t leak, and sooner or later, Laura would find out.
The fine rain drizzled down, thousands of tiny strands falling onto the umbrella.
Eleanor closed her umbrella and stopped at the door of the villa.
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It was a detached villa, large enough to almost resemble a small estate. When she had first moved in, she found it hard to get used to. But Laura didn’t show any signs of disdain. Instead, she patiently helped Eleanor become familiar with everything
here.
Time had passed, and things had changed…
She knocked on the door, and Zelda opened it.
Zelda smiled warmly. “Mrs. McKenzie, Madam Laura has been waiting for you.”
Eleanor stepped inside and immediately saw Laura sitting on the sofa, scrolling through her phone. Her brows were furrowed, as if she had seen something unpleasant.
“You’re here.” Laura looked up at her and patted the space next to her. “Come over here.”
“Good girl, I’ve heard about what’s been going on. You’ve been through a lot,” Laura said, her eyes red, clearly having cried in private. “Gabriel is such a fool. There’s nothing out there that compares to home. You’ve done so much for him, and he shouldn’t be treating you like this. Gabriel will be here soon, and whatever it is, you two should talk it through in person.”
Her words made Eleanor uncomfortable. “Laura, we…”
“I know you don’t want to fight or argue. You’re the type to take things quietly, which makes it easy for you to be taken advantage of. I’ve tried not to interfere with your affairs over the years, but I can’t just watch as things get worse between you two,” Laura said, holding her hand with tears welling up in her eyes. “Elly, I really like you. I could give up on my son, but I have to keep you as my daughter–in–law!”
A warm current passed through Eleanor’s heart. Over the years, she had relied on Laura’s protection in the McKenzie family. It was because of a mom–in–law like Laura that she had managed to endure.
Eleanor’s eyes turned red. “Even if I don’t mention divorce, Gabriel will.”
She hesitated, wondering if she should tell Laura what Gabriel had said to her on their wedding night.
On that night, Gabriel had told her he could give her money and status, but he could never give her love.
His words had been clear. He had someone else in his heart long before then.
For all these years, Eleanor had dedicated herself to being a good wife, hoping that one day, he would turn to her. But now, she realized that as long as Gabriel continued to protect Sienna, there would be no reconciliation between her and Gabriel.
“I know you’re bothered by Sienna, but don’t worry. As long as I’m here, she won’t step into our home.” Laura narrowed her eyes, a cold glint flashing in them. “No matter how good her family is, she’s not the daughter–in–law I approve of.”
Sienna, a mistress who dared to break up families, was nothing short of disgraceful.
1/4
Looking at the daughter–in–law she liked, Laura made up her mind. She would tell Gabriel everything about that night. It had been her fault, not Eleanor’s.
Not only that, she would reveal everything Eleanor had done for him over the years. She wanted Gabriel to know that Eleanor had loved him and cared for him. No matter what, Gabriel could not let Eleanor down, or he would regret it later.
“Don’t worry. I know the root of the problem between you two. Tonight, I’ll clear up all the misunderstandings.”
Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?
Eleanor pursed her lips. Does solving these misunderstandings really mean everything will be fixed?
Eleanor opened her mouth, about to explain that it wasn’t just about that, when the door opened, interrupting her.
It was Gabriel.
The surprising part was that he was followed by Sienna.
Upon seeing Sienna, Laura abruptly stood up. “What are you doing here?”
Sienna, feeling wronged, hid behind Gabriel and spoke in a voice as soft as a whisper. “Madam Laura.”
“Get out!” Laura pointed to the door, her command clear and unwavering.
“It was my decision to bring her here.”
Gabriel’s words made Laura tremble with fury. “Do you even know what you’re doing? You brought her here? What do you think your wife will think? Get her out of here! I need to talk to you.”
3
Gabriel turned to Eleanor, remembering how Ethan had risked his reputation for her, and his expression grew even colder.
At first, he had only suspected a relationship between Eleanor and Ethan, but now it seemed almost certain. After all, Ethan had even gone so far as to spread rumors about their affair.
Gabriel pressed his lips together and averted his gaze.
“We’re already divorced.”
At those words, Laura’s face turned ashen. “What did you say?“..
“We’ve signed the agreement, and the divorce certificate is already processed.” He shot a deep glance at Eleanor.
Eleanor gave a bitter smile.
They had only signed the agreement, but Gabriel claimed they were already divorced. He was making sure Laura gave up any hope of reconciling them.
Although she had long made the decision to never look back, hearing Gabriel say those words still made her heart ache.
Sienna stood aside, the corners of her mouth lifting.
That small movement didn’t escape Laura’s notice. “Even if you’re divorced, I won’t allow Sienna into our family.”
“Madam Laura, do you really hate me that much?” Sienna couldn’t stand the tension any longer and asked directly.
She was the daughter of the Sullivan family, always flattered by others, even Laura had once favored her. To suddenly be despised by those who once admired her was something she couldn’t accept.
The directness of Sienna’s question caught Laura off guard, and she couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.
How could she be so blatant about something so clear?
Laura rolled her eyes without hiding it. “Yes, I don’t like you. You’ve already ruined one of my sons, and now you want to destroy my youngest son’s family. How could I possibly like you? What should I like about you? Should I like how you caused my eldest son’s death or how you’ve ruined my youngest son’s family? Sienna, if you had any shame, you wouldn’t be asking me such a self–degrading question.”
2/4
J
Tears streamed down Sienna’s face.
Eleanor, however, was shocked by what she had just heard.
She had always known that Laura had two children.
Hadn’t Garrett McKenzie died in an accident? How could Sienna be connected to that?
Sienna clenched her sleeves, resembling a fragile leaf ready to fall. “Madam Laura, why can’t you give me another chance to be your daughter–in–law?”
“Enough! How dare you say that!” Laura stood up, furious. “If it weren’t for you, Garrett wouldn’t have died. It’s all because of you, you disaster!”
Mentioning Garrett McKenzie, a spark of hatred flared in Sienna’s eyes. “Madam Laura, I’ve told you, his death had nothing to do with me.”
Eleanor stood quietly to the side, her face serious.
Hadn’t Garrett died in a fire?
Laura’s attitude seemed to be shifting.
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Could there be more to Garrett’s death than I know?
Sienna smiled, looking innocent and harmless. “Madam Laura, if you truly cared about Garrett, you should let Gabe marry me. Garrett was so kind, and he would have wanted me to find happiness…”
Laura could no longer hold back and raised her palm, slapping it fiercely across her face.
With a loud slap, Sienna’s face immediately turned red.
Gabriel quickly pulled Sienna behind him. “Mom!”
“Get out!” Laura pointed toward the door, her face as cold as frost.
“Madam Laura, do you know what your good daughter–in–law has done?” Sienna smiled like a little devil. Ethan had secretly gone to the hospital recently. He had an affair with Eleanor and secretly went to the hospital, most likely, Eleanor was pregnant.
If Laura knew her daughter–in–law was carrying someone else’s child, would she still stay so calm?
“What my daughter–in–law does is none of your business. She will always be my daughter–in–law, unlike you, a shameless. woman who is the mistress ruining a family!” Laura glared at Gabriel in anger. “If you care about me as your mom, get her out of here right now!”
“Gabe…” Sienna looked terrified and quickly hid behind Gabriel, fragile like a delicate flower.
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Seeing her hiding behind Gabriel, yet Gabriel remained unmoved, Laura’s face turned green with fury, and her legs went weak, causing her to fall backward.
“Mom!”
“Madam Laura!”
In the hospital’s emergency room, Eleanor trembled slightly as she looked at the familiar hallway.
It was here that she had received the news of Margaret’s death last time.
“It’s all my fault…” Sienna said, looking miserable. “If it weren’t for me, Madam Laura wouldn’t have fainted.”
Eleanor looked at the familiar emergency room, feeling as though she had returned to the moment Margaret passed away.
Sienna was still crying, and Eleanor, annoyed, stood up. “Can you be quiet!”
3/4
Sienna’s crying immediately stopped.
Eleanor coldly stared at Sienna, hatred creeping up once again.
“Gabe…” Sienna moved closer to Gabriel, who remained expressionless as he looked at Eleanor.
Eleanor pursed her lips and coldly met his gaze. “I suggest you send her away before Laura wakes up.”
“No!” Sienna panicked. “I need to stay here to take care of Madam Laura. Gabe, please let me stay. I want to take care of her properly and atone for my sins.”
“Atonement?” Eleanor laughed.
Margaret was dead, and Sienna acted like nothing happened.
Now, with Laura injured, she wanted to atone again.
