Chapter 135
been over a decade, but the memory was as vivid as if it happened just yesterday.
She recalled the day she returned from a tearful trip to the restroom only to find Katie holding out two ice creams, one for her and one for Vesta. As a waiter passed by with a tray full of dirty dishes, one of the ice creams got nicked and smeared with a bit of grease. Vesta immediately chose the untouched one.
Katie just ruffled her head with a laugh, not bothering to exchange the spoiled one for a new treat.
When she handed over the ice cream without a word about the missing piece, it struck her. Given the Hawkins family’s wealth at the time, replacing the ice cream would have been no issue. They could afford thousands, yet Katie didn’t.
That moment crystallized the realization that Katie’s affections had soured.
She would never forget the malicious glint in little Vesta’s eyes as she held the tainted ice cream.
As for Henley, well, there were countless similar instances.
Yet, as she faced Thorne now, those feelings seemed irrelevant.
Facing Katie’s faux kindness and Maureen’s self-righteous attitude, both acting as if they were looking out for her, she replied with a sarcastic smile, “So, you say you care about me, yet you shove Vesta into my marriage? That’s an odd way to show concern, don’t you think?” Katie and Maureen didn’t even flinch at her words, probably anticipating her response.
Katie sighed, “Charlene, you know the state of things between you and Thorne. Why cling to someone who doesn’t love you? You could start fresh after the divorce. I was just-”
“Trying to help, right?” Charlene cut her off, her gaze shifting between Katie and Maureen. “I’ve heard your. ‘concerns’ more times than I can count. Don’t you get tired of repeating the same old lines? Maybe find some new material next time?”
Before they could retort, Charlene turned to Felix, who had just returned, “All set, Felix? Shall we head out?”
Felix, sensing the tension, gave a nervous smile and nodded, “Yeah, let’s go.”
Then, addressing Katie and Maureen, he added, “Granny, Mrs. Hawkins, we’ll be off now.”
Katie managed a smile, but her sigh as she looked at Charlene spoke volumes. Ever since Henley initiated the divorce, any deviation from their wishes seemed to exhaust them, as if she was the source of all trouble.
Returning to live with her mother at the Ross household after her parents’ divorce filled her with fear of being blamed and receiving disapproving sighs, causing her to tread very carefully, despite the Ross family’s kindness. She became exceedingly obedient, afraid to make mistakes or assert herself, a trait that stayed with her well