13
Charlotte’s mother’s triumphant voice followed. “Of course. You’ve seen what your mother can pull off.”
“Even though she’s gone, you can still use those methods on Sebastian.”
Sebastian, hearing this outside, felt a sharp jolt.
“But don’t overdo it. After all, they’re your children. A little fever, a bit of crying for the older one is enough. Don’t poison the child or drop them; they’re your flesh and blood. As for the younger one, don’t make things too difficult.”
“Don’t worry, Mom, I know my limits. But I’ve promised Sebastian that if he marries me, I’ll let him go. Now I’ve temporarily kept him with the fake miscarriage, but what then? He’ll eventually go looking for Evelyn. What do I do then?”
“Relax, I’ve made an agreement with the Wolfes; she’s been sent far away. She won’t return, and she won’t let Sebastian leave. Just focus on your pregnancy. Once this child is born, the Wolfes will find a way for you to get a marriage certificate.”
Sebastian’s eyes narrowed, revealing a dangerous glint; the veins bulged on his hand gripping the wheelchair!
So that’s how it was.
Sebastian had always believed Evelyn was responsible for his children’s illnesses; it was Charlotte, their mother, who’d done it!
Those pale, frail faces during their children’s illnesses, the trembling bodies seeking comfort in Sebastian’s arms late at night, the frantic attacks on Evelyn…those countless nights when he’d abandoned the woman he loved, when Evelyn had been punished repeatedly, when he’d stayed up all night by Charlotte or the children’s bedside, holding their hands, listening to their cries, his heart repeatedly crushed into dust…every moment, every breath–stealing heartache, had been a calculated, cold maneuver orchestrated by Charlotte and her mother!
The world fell silent.
The pungent smell of disinfectant vanished; the indistinct voices from the nurses‘ station disappeared, leaving only the thundering roar of Sebastian’s own blood in his ears, his head buzzing, his stomach churning. A strong metallic taste surged to his throat, swallowed down with effort. “Sebastian, what are you standing here for? Why aren’t you going in?”
—-
When Eleanor arrived with a pile of medicine, she saw her son standing motionless before Charlotte’s room. Thinking he’d changed his mind and didn’t know how to face Charlotte, she was about to open the door for him.
But then, Charlotte’s mother’s sorrowful voice came from inside.
“Mom never expected Dad to give her a status, but you must strive to marry into the family. Otherwise, your child will be a bastard, without any status.” Eleanor’s face fell, her body shaking violently.
Was she getting old, suffering from auditory hallucinations? What had she heard? The future daughter–in–law she’d longed for, painstakingly waited for, was a bastard child, illegitimate child with no status!
A rage capable of destroying everything erupted like a dormant volcano, the hot lava instantly overwhelming Eleanor’s restraint.
Years ago, she’d looked down on Evelyn’s orphan status, vehemently opposing her relationship with Sebastian.
The Wolfes was a hundred–year–old family; every wife came from prominent families.
If they suddenly married an orphan, the entire family would be ridiculed.
Moreover, the Wolfes‘ power had declined, needing a strategic marriage to solidify their position.
Charlotte was Eleanor’s carefully chosen daughter–in–law.
She came from the Monroe Family, a family older than the Wolfes, and was beautiful and charming. More importantly, Charlotte had lowered her status, having children before marrying into the family.
That’s why Eleanor had been so pleased.
Since Charlotte joined the Wolfe Family, Eleanor had doted on her, giving her everything.
But now…now the woman she’d cherished with so much effort and energy was the daughter of a mistress, illegitimate!
Worse than Evelyn!
No wonder Eleanor hadn’t seen Charlotte’s father since the wedding!
Eleanor couldn’t control herself anymore. She raised her hand, flung open the door, and stormed in, slapping Charlotte and her mother with all her might.
< 13
“You vile woman, you dare deceive me!”
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< 14
