NovelEnglish"I'm his ex," Emma sneered, her voice dripping with derision, "Popped out two kids for him, and after the split, he couldn't even cough up child support." Ritchie was a man who prided himself on keeping up appearances, the kind who liked to put on airs. Emma’s cutting words set his blood boiling.
"Shut your trap, Emma," he spat back, his temper flaring, "You're such a useless woman eggs. Couldn't even givea son. Marrying you was my life's biggest jinx." Aurelia's voice was icy as she intervened, "Ritchie, Emma nearly died giving birth to your children, and you have the nerve to speak to her like that? She’s an Ivy League graduate who lowered herself to marry you who barely finished middle school." Ritchie, driven to the edge, shot back, "Aurelia, weren't you and Emma arch-enemies once? | see you're pretty magnanimous with others, letting bygones be bygones. Why can't you let go of my past mistakes?" Aurelia scoffed, "If | were really holding grudges, | wouldn't have paid off your mortgage, would 1? | could've left you out in the cold." A muscle twitched in Ritchie's face, "I'm your big brother, for god's sake. I'm getting married again. Shouldn't you be offering your blessings, maybe a fat check or a grand gift?" "Indeed." Lilith bobbed her head eagerly, "It's my first tvisiting the Hawthorne family. Shouldn't | get a welcoming gift?" Aurelia glanced at Perla, "Aunt Perla, this is your family's issue, not mine. You handle it." Perla was seething. The mere thought of handing out a welcoming gift made her blood boil, "Lettell you something," she hissed at Lilith, "You only earn your place in this family by bearing a son. Fail that, and you might as well sign the divorce papers." Lilith pouted. She could see she was dealing with a tough old bird, but she wasn't one to be trifled with either.
She'd show her who was boss.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"If you don't acceptas your daughter-in-law, then | have no duties toward you. We'd best keep to ourselves, out of each other's hair." Perla glared at her with venomous eyes, "Fine by me. But don’t expect a single cent from me." Lilith looped her arm through Ritchie's, "I'm starving. Aren't we here for dinner?" Aurelia instructed the maid to set places for them and ushered them into the dining room.
Belinda's good mood had been thoroughly spoiled by Ritchie.
"Spare the rod, spoil the child." The saying couldn't be truer.
She blamed herself for being foolish, always indulging Ritchie, letting him run wild.
"You're on your second marriage and still acting so carelessly. Is your head filled with sawdust?" Ritchie's face twisted into a look of injured innocence, "Granny, I'm just trying to carry on the Hawthorne legacy, make you proud." Belinda sighed heavily, "Ritchie, | don't ask for much. Just stay out of trouble and live a decent life. That would makehappy." If he had another child, Perla would undoubtedly ccrying and wailing to her door, demanding money for child support.
She had given up on expecting them to provide for her in her old age, but to bleed her dry as well? It was a curse.
She didn't have only one grandchild. There was Avery, too. The business of continuing the family line should be left to her darling Avery.
She heard from the servants that a billion girls across the globe would leap at the chance to bear Avery's children.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWhen Lilith laid eyes on Avery, she practically swooned, her face lighting up with infatuated glee, and she began to fidget excitedly.
"Avery, you're so dreamy, even without any makeup. I'm your biggest fan. I've devoured every show you've made. | even sing your songs in the chat rooms." Avery's expression was indifferent, a half-smile playing on his lips, but he didn't respond.
"Let's eat, Lilith," Aurelia interjected, steering the conversation back to the dinner at hand.
Lilith glanced at the feast spread out on the table. Her eyes widened at the sight of the abalone, larger than her fist, a luxury she had never encountered. She quickly snagged a piece, marveling at the taste.
Perla watched in disgust, "Such vulgarity. We're a high society, and we should be elegant when we dine."
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