3
After that argument, I took a long leave and didn’t go to the company for fifteen whole days.
Partly to sulk with Lucas, and partly to think about whether I should withdraw early to avoid repeating the mistakes of my past life.
During this time, Lucas avoided me, but Mrs. Carter called every day asking me to come back to the old house for dinner.
After much hesitation, I finally went.
As soon as Mrs. Carter saw me, she took my hand sympathetically:
11:40 AM
<
“Oh, Emily dear, it’s all that silly boy’s fault for not knowing better. Don’t take it to heart.”
“Mommy promises you, I won’t let any improper person enter our Carter family.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely stand up for you!”
I held the bird’s nest soup Mrs. Carter had personally stewed for me, listening to her gentle words, my heart filled with mixed emotions.
Just then, Lucas walked in with Rachel, laughing and chatting.
In the short half month since I’d last seen her, Rachel’s fragile aura had completely disappeared, replaced by undisguised smugness.
She smiled at me sweetly:
“Sister–in–law, hello. This is a handmade aromatherapy candle Lucas and I made together. It’s a bit flawed, but I still wanted to give it to you.”
Lucas stood beside her, silently allowing her behavior.
I held up the bird’s nest soup. Even the scalding porcelain bowl couldn’t thaw the coldness in my heart.
Mrs. Carter immediately darkened her face: “How rude! Giving someone a gift, and you choose a defective one? What were you thinking?”
Rachel hurriedly took off the sapphire necklace from her neck:
“I’m so sorry, sister–in–law. This necklace is a royal heirloom from the British royal family. I’ll give it to you as an apology!”
That necklace, called “Destiny“, was personally bought by Lucas at an auction in London last year.
I had naively thought he would put it on me at our wedding.
It turned out that in his heart, the real “Destiny” was Rachel.
I silently looked at the necklace, not reaching out to take it.
Mrs. Carter pulled Rachel away:
“Girl, come with me to look at the garden. Don’t always cling to Lucas. He’s about to get married.””
Lucas sat down across from me, poured himself a cup of tea, his lips curled in mockery:
“Looks like you still can’t let go of your status in this family. Even if you don’t go to the company, you still come to curry favor with my mom.”
“Don’t worry, the position of future Mrs. Carter belongs to no one but you. Who else could please my mom so well?”
I had never seen him look at me with such cold eyes.
Tears welled up in my eyes:
“Lucas, you won’t even give me the most basic kindness anymore?”
He glanced at me, continuing to drink his tea leisurely.
After finishing his tea, he went upstairs without looking back.
Late at night, I was clearing my mind in the gazebo in the backyard when I suddenly heard whispers coming from the nearby rose garden.
Rachel’s coquettish voice came through: “Auntie doesn’t seem to like me very much. What should I do?”
Lucas chuckled: “My mom even dislikes me. In her eyes, there’s only Emily, the perfect daughter–in–law.”
“Then in your heart, who’s more important, me or her?” Rachel pressed.
Lucas laughed softly: “You’re always so greedy.”
