Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Sophia was thoroughly dissatisfied with her son’s decision and yelled, “She can’t even give you a son. Why don’t you just divorce her? Are you deliberately trying to upset me?
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Wouldn’t it be easier to use the money saved from not having her here to hire a housekeeper? What’s so difficult about that?”
“Before Laura started managing the household, you fired several housekeepers, remember? Which of them was as obedient as Laura?” Matteo tried to appease his mother. “Besides, we’re still young; there’s always a chance to have another child.”
“I don’t care. If she can’t give you a son by next year, you’ll have to divorce her!” Sophia declared with a stern face.
“Alright, alright,” Matteo said with a placating smile. “I have a lunch meeting today, so I won’t be home for lunch.”
“Don’t drink too much. Your health is important,” Sophia advised her son.
“Take care, Matteo,” Chloe added.
After seeing her son off at the door, Sophia headed to the kitchen, calling out loudly, “Laura, make some chicken broth. Chloe wants some.”
“Alright,” Laura replied. When the meal was ready, she called everyone to the table.
Sophia ladled out a bowl of chicken broth for Chloe. “Chloe, this is the most nourishing. You need to drink more of it.”
“Thank you, Mom,” Chloe replied gratefully, her face lighting up.
“Silly girl, no need to thank me,” Sophia said, gazing at her daughter with loving eyes.
Watching this display of motherly love, Laura felt a mix of emotions swell in her chest.
“Laura, Chloe is pregnant. From today onward, she’ll be staying here to rest and take care of herself. Whatever she wants to eat, you’ll prepare it. You must look after her. If anything happens to her, I won’t forgive you! Do you hear me?” said Sophia.
“Yes, I understand,” Laura replied softly, her gaze lowered.
“Laura, thank you in advance for taking care of me,” Chloe said with a polite facade.
Before Laura could respond, Sophia cut in, “You don’t have to thank her. This is her duty.”
‘Yes, it’s all my duty. They just take everything I do for granted!‘ Laura couldn’t help but think.
After lunch, Laura tidied up and went on to do the laundry and clean the house. There was always endless work to be done.
Sophia ensured she stayed busy, constantly finding tasks for her.
But this time, Laura could no longer endure it. “I’m not a machine. I need rest too,” she said firmly before heading upstairs.
Sophia, furious at Laura’s defiance, chased after her, pointing a finger at her nose and yelling; “How dare you go against me?
If you want to slack off, just say so. Don’t give me this nonsense about needing rest! You eat our food, so you’ll have to work for us!”
“So, if I don’t do chores, I’m lazy. But how many chores has your daughter done at her in–laws? She also eats the Webb family’s food, but why doesn’t she do anything here?” Laura retorted sharply.
Sophia’s face turned dark. She shouted, “My daughter is our family’s treasure. Her marrying James is a blessing to the Harkin family! She’s supposed to enjoy life there! And you? What do you think you are, daring to compare yourself to my
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Chapter 56
precious Chloe?”
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“From now on, I’ll only do what’s truly my responsibility. I won’t tolerate this anymore,” Laura declared, slamming the door shut to avoid further argument.
In the quiet of her bedroom, Laura felt a pang in her heart as she thought, ‘Chloe is a treasure, while I am expected to endure abuse? This is unfair.
Tears welled up, stinging her eyes, and began rolling down her cheeks.
The silence of the room was interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. Seeing the caller ID, Laura wiped her tears and composed herself before answering. “Doris.”
“Laura, are you alright? Are they treating you okay now that you’re back?” Doris asked, her concern evident.
“I’m fine,” Laura said, not wanting to worry Doris. “Doris, if… I mean, if I were to get a divorce, how could I secure custody of Ari?”
Arianna was everything to her, and she wouldn’t compromise on that. She could never leave Arianna behind in the Webb household.
“I’m not entirely sure, but Mr…. I mean, my husband, has a colleague who’s an excellent lawyer. We can ask him for advice,” Doris suggested, immediately thinking of Ivan. “I’ll set up a time and let you know.”
“Alright,” replied Laura.
“Laura, are you really planning to divorce your husband?”
“Even if I don’t divorce him, I can’t keep living like this. It’s better to be prepared.”
“Laura, I support you. I’ll always have your back. Oh, and so will your brother–in–law,” Doris added, including Lewis to encourage her sister.
“Thank you. Thank you both,” Laura said, her nose tingling as emotions welled up.
At Laura’s urging, Doris had quit her food delivery job earlier. Today, she got off work on time and messaged Lewis. She realized she had been neglecting him lately. After all the help he’d given her, she felt it was only right to show her gratitude sincerely.
Doris prepared a delicious spread featuring oven–baked ribs, beef stew, grilled salmon, and a refreshing salad.
When the dishes were ready, Lewis wasn’t home yet. After some hesitation, she called him. “Why are you still not home?”
“I’ll need another half hour. Don’t wait for me,” replied Lewis.
“It’s fine. I’ll wait. Drive safely,” said Doris.
Sure enough, Lewis arrived home exactly thirty minutes later.
As he took off his suit jacket, Doris naturally took it from him and hung it up, saying, “Wash your hands; dinner’s ready.” She put some food on his plate. “You’ve had a long day, Mr. Hartman. Have some beef and fish to keep up your strength.” “Why are you being so nice today?” Lewis asked, catching a hint of something unusual.
“When have I ever been unkind to you?” Doris arched her brows.
“This sudden kindness feels suspicious… I’m almost too afraid to eat this meal,” Lewis joked without eating, his deep eyes
Chapter 56
studying her.
Under his piercing gaze, Doris confessed, “Didn’t you help me and my sister? I made this nice dinner to show my appreciation. What’s wrong with it?”
“You’re my wife, and your sister is my sister–in–law. We’re family–no need for formalities.” Lewis picked up a piece of beef. “But I appreciate the gesture.”
Doris watched as he ate the beef, savoring every bite. She couldn’t help but smile as she observed him.
“Not bad,” Lewis said. Doris’s cooking was excellent, and he had grown accustomed to her meals.
“If you like it, have more,” Doris said with a bright smile. “There’s something else I want to talk to you about.”
“Go ahead.”
“My sister wants to know how she could secure custody of Ari. Isn’t Mr. Mitchell an expert in this field? You’re close to him. Could you help arrange a meeting? We’ll cover the consultation fee,” Doris said, not wanting to take advantage of Lewis’s connections.
“Your sister’s planning to divorce?” Lewis hadn’t expected the usually gentle Laura to make such a bold decision.
“She hasn’t said it outright, but with how things are, divorce might not be a bad idea,” Doris admitted. She wanted to encourage Laura to leave the Webb family and stop enduring their mistreatment.
She continued, “Four years of marriage, and Laura hasn’t given the Webb family a son. She’s always felt guilty towards her husband, which is why she’s tolerated so much.
“But neither her husband nor the Webb family have ever shown her any understanding. They’ve mistreated her and humiliated her endlessly and don’t even like Ari, just because she’s a girl.
“If Laura ever outright said she wanted a divorce, I wouldn’t hesitate to punch Matteo and his mother in the face. That incident at the café still makes my blood boil! How dare they slander you and my sister like that!”
As Doris spoke, her anger toward Matteo and Sophia grew, and she felt a strong urge to teach them a lesson.
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