Chapter 6
Thanks to Chester, while the chicken noodle soup wasn’t exactly delicious, it was edible now. It was light and simple, with just a hint of salt and a sprinkle of pepper. The whole family sat around the table, watching Angelina eat it with affectionate smiles.
Emily looked at Angelina with such tenderness it nearly broke her heart.
Emily had always treated the female side character well, better than anyone ever had.
When she was younger, Emily loved to travel, particularly to rural towns where the scenery was unspoiled and breathtaking. Years ago, after giving birth to Isadora, Emily took a trip to a small mountain village and brought gifts for the local children.
In the middle of the crowd was the female side character. She had a dirty face and messy hands. She was trying to grab a piece of the candy Emily brought.
“Slow down, sweetheart. There’s plenty for everyone,” Emily said gently, holding her hand.
The female side character looked up at her with big, innocent eyes. “You’re so pretty.”
The compliment made Emily’s heart melt. She had been young then, and hearing such pure praise caught her off guard. She washed Angelina’s hands and gave her more candy than anyone else. From that day on, the female side character stuck to Emily like glue, always finding excuses to come see her.
Emily learned the story of the female side character over the next few days. Her father had gone blind shortly after she was born, and when her mother left them, the grief drove him to take his own life.
The female side character was left to be raised by her elderly grandmother, a woman who was barely able to care for herself, let alone a child. They survived on government aid, scraping by
day to day.
Emily couldn’t bear it. “Would you like to come back to the city with me?” she asked.
“Yes! I want to go!” The female side character blurted out, grabbing Emily’s hand. “I don’t want to leave you. I’ve never had a mom before.”
Even at such a young age, the female side character had known how to play her cards. Her grandmother didn’t object. Taking care of the female side character was a burden she couldn’t manage, and hearing that Emily wanted to take her in felt like a godsend.
Before Emily took the female side character away from the village, she gave her new clothes and shiny shoes. The other kids followed them down the road, their faces filled with envy as the female side character walked hand–in–hand with Emily toward a better life.
From that day on, the female side character’s world changed. She lived in a big house, rode in luxury cars, and had Chester–her “big brother“-looking out for her.
Chapte
Now, sitting at the table, Emily smiled warmly. “Eat up. A little extra weight won’t hurt. Once the baby’s here, you can worry about getting back in shape.”
The kindness brought tears to Angelina’s eyes. She hugged Emily tightly, her voice trembling. “Emily…”
Emily froze in surprise, and Isadora stared wide–eyed.
Since Angelina got pregnant, her attitude toward the family turned downright nasty. She’d act like she was above them, using her pregnancy as leverage to get her way.
Angelina sniffled, her voice soft. “I’m sorry for everything I did. I know I’ve hurt you, and I’m
so, so sorry.”
Emily hesitated, then patted her back gently. “It’s all in the past. What matters now is that we stick together as a family. Let’s not bring up old mistakes.”
Isadora rolled her eyes, unimpressed. She had seen Angelina’s selfish, entitled side for too long to believe this sudden change.
Chester caught the look and frowned. “Isadora, can you come here for a second?”
He led her into the kitchen, pulling a box of blueberries out of the fridge. When she reached
for one, he swatted her hand away.
“Hey!” she protested.
Chester ignored her, his voice low. “Stop with the attitude.”
“What? Do you seriously think she’s changed? She’s probably pulling some new stunt to make us clean up her mess again.”
“She knows I can’t fix her problems right now. Trust me–she wouldn’t be here if she didn’t
mean it.”
Isadora folded her arms, skeptical. “She was ready to get an abortion yesterday. What did you say to her?”
“Isadora, listen to me,” Chester said sharply. “You’re my sister.”
“Yeah?”
“And she’s my wife. She’s finally making an effort, so don’t make this harder than it has to be.
He rinsed the blueberries under the tap, his expression unreadable.
Back in the living room, Angelina was still curled up with Emily, talking quietly. Seeing the scene brought tears to Gerald’s eyes.
“Back then, I didn’t know you had feelings for Chester,” he said, wiping his face. “If I had
known, I would’ve stepped in sooner. That way, you wouldn’t have had to go through all that…
Angelina smiled faintly, though she said nothing
Chester said nothing. He left the blueberries on the table and went back to the room.
Bankruptcy was a terrible thing. Everyone had been in low spirits these past few days, but they kept encouraging each other, afraid of letting the negativity from outside seep into the home.
Angelina, it seemed, had appeared just in time.
Across town, Kierra tried calling Angelina’s phone again and again, but it went straight to voicemail.
“Did she block me?” Kierra hissed, her face twisting in anger. She stuffed her phone into her purse, muttering curses under her breath.
Dressed in a tight red dress that radiated sharp confidence, she stood with her hands on her hips, her sheer shawl sliding off her shoulders. “That chick thinks she’s too good for me now? Fine. Let’s see how long she can keep up the act.”
Kierra stormed into a hotel suite, throwing herself onto the man waiting inside. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pouted. “Why are you asking about her again? I’m better than Angelina, aren’t I? She’s only been with one guy. I’ve got way more experience-”
“Where is she? I want Mrs. Whitmore,” Adrian Hendrix, interrupted, pushing her off.
“Just treat me as Mrs. Whitmore, okay? Mr. Hendrix… I mean, what’s so interesting about a divorced woman anyway? Wouldn’t it be better if
Adrian shoved her aside, his expression dark. “Didn’t you claim you had the skills to get her here to entertain me? You bragged about it, and now, you’ve embarrassed yourself.”
“Mr. Hendrix, she agreed at first! She said she’d accompany you and head to the hospital afterward, but something must’ve short–circuited in her brain.”
“What did she say?”
Adrian and Chester had been business rivals for years, their relationship long fraught with tension. He always had to swallow his pride because of the Whitmore family’s power and
influence.
The chance to sleep with Chester’s pregnant wife was thrilling. He could humiliate his rival in the most personal way possible. But now, Angelina had stood him up.
“What she said… I’m honestly too embarrassed to repeat it. It’s childish.”
“Say it,” Adrian growled, gripping Kierra’s chin lightly.
Kierra’s heart skipped a beat, and she gasped. “Mr. Hendrix, please, not so rough–ah! Ouch! Mr. Hendrix, be gentle!”
Her chin was enhanced with fillers, and if he ruined it, the repairs would cost her a fortune.
“She said she wants to stick with Chester through this tough time,” Kierra finally spat She said she’ll stand by him and rebuild their life together. She said she wants to help him make a comeback. If that’s not completely insane, I don’t know what is–ouch, that hurts! You’re killing me!
