?Chapter 27:
In the backstage lounge of the event, quiet conversations murmured among the younger members of the Cox family.
Anthony was reclining in the main chair, his eyes closed, evidently disinterested in engaging with his grandchildren.
Only when the door creaked open did he scowl and nce up. Upon recognizing Belinda, his stern expression transformed into a broad grin. “Belinda!” he eximed.
Springing to his feet, he approached her briskly. “You’re here!”
“Anthony,” Belinda greeted him with a smile, handing over the gift she had brought. “Sorry I’mte.”<fn518c> Find the newest release on FιndNovel</fn518c>
“Late? The celebration hasn’t even begun!”
Anthony chuckled, epting the gift and guiding Belinda to his chair. “I’m delighted you made it!”
Throughout the encounter, hepletely ignored Kristopher, his biological grandson.
Kristopher, ustomed to his grandfather’s indifference, followed without protest and sat down with no visible emotion.
“Look at Grandpa doting on Belinda as if she were his own,” Helen Walsh, another granddaughter, remarked sulkily from a corner. “Though Kristopher doesn’t seem to care about her presence at all. Now that Cathy’s returned, it’s only a matter of time before Kristopher shows her the door. She’ll end up like a stray dog.”
Her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Watch your mouth!”
Carol Walsh gave her daughter a sharp nudge with her elbow.
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“Kristopher and Belinda are doing just fine!”
“Belinda.”
After reprimanding her daughter, Carol nced at Belinda. “Helen’s still young. Try not to take her seriously.”
Despite Carol’s seemingly apologetic words, her tone carried no real remorse, and a mocking smile yed at the corners of her mouth. She was confident that, regardless of her demeanor, Belinda would forgive her as always.
Over the years, Belinda’s continual acquiescence had be the norm for them.
As expected, after Carol’s remark, Belinda, who was busy preparing tea, responded with a graceful smile. “It’s okay, I won’t hold it against you.”
Helen stuck out her tongue at Belinda, her face breaking into a mischievous grin. “You only stay quiet because you know I’m telling the truth. Isn’t that why you won’t argue with me?”
Bang!
Just as Helen finished speaking, a teacup shattered on the carpet right before her.
The room fell into a stunned silence, everyone’s attention snapping to the head of the table.
Anthony’s re was icy as he fixed it on Carol. “You spent millions on this girl’s education abroad, and this is what she brings back? Do those schools teach nothing but rudeness and gossip?” His voice was icy and unwavering.
“Dad…”
Carol’s mocking smile faded, reced by an awkward one. “You’re taking this too seriously. Helen was only joking with Belinda. Lighten up a bit.”
“Joking?” Anthony retorted sharply. “I may be old, but I haven’t lost my senses. I can tell the difference between a joke and an insult!”
“Anthony,” Belinda cut in, her voice gentle. “Please, don’t get upset. Helen was just joking.”
She offered him a cup of tea. “Here, have some tea.”
Anthony exhaled deeply, his expression softening as he epted the cup.
“You’re too forgiving. That’s why they think they can push you around.”
Belinda remained quiet, focused on preparing the tea. “It’s okay. They’re family.”
Kristopher, who was observing from a distance, felt a pang of difort at Belinda’s subdued nature.
They had been married for three years, during which Belinda consistently bore her grievances silently.
Could it be that Belinda’s resolve to divorce stemmed from her exhaustion with suppressing her feelings?
Belinda tried to defuse the situation, but Helen was relentless. “If she hadn’t insisted on marrying Kristopher while he was in aa, who would bully her? Isn’t this her own doing? She…”
“Shut up!”
Kristopher’s icy, firm voice interrupted Helen before she could finish.
.
.
.