Chapter 154
Blanche’s expression was calm. “It doesn’t match the dress.”
Just then, a staff member brought over a delicate hand chain, the slender ring. looping around her ring finger and the bracelet resting gently on her wrist, connecting to a matching necklace. “Mrs. Simmons, how about this one?”
Blanche gave her a polite smile. “It’s perfect.”
Eddy stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, his large hands. gently clasping hers against her stomach.
Admiring Blanche’s delicate beauty in the full–length mirror, he noticed the faint trace left by her wedding ring on her finger.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, but seeing Blanche in good spirits, he let it go and offered a compliment, “You look beautiful in everything, sweetheart.”
As if sensing the moment, the baby in her belly seemed to flutter softly.
Blanche’s eyes dimmed a little. The embryo was barely formed; of course it couldn’t actually move yet. It was just her heart that had been stirred.
For her unborn daughter, growing up without a father…..
Beside her, Healy suddenly grabbed a handful of popcorn and tossed it at Lara’s. head, his little voice full of bravado. “I’m your big brother, and you have to do what I
say!”
Lara burst into noisy tears.
Healy was bossy and willful, just like Eddy–a chip off the old block.
“Healy, enough. Don’t upset your mother,” Eddy said sharply, and instantly, Healy’s bravado evaporated.
Eddy only knew how to bark orders at the kids, never how to be a real father.
Blanche remembered how she’d lost her own father at sixteen, but her mother had
raised her well.
Some fathers are more of a burden than a blessing.
She believed that, even if her daughter grew up without Eddy, she would be exceptional.
Chapter 154
Blanche gently pushed Eddy aside and knelt to hug Healy, who was still sniffling from the scolding.
For the rest of her life, she would never see him again.
So many words she could say, but only a few mattered now.
“Healy, you were born with every advantage. Your future will be smooth, never difficult. But I hope you don’t just follow your impulses–listen to your heart and always do what’s right.”
“I know you were wrong just now.”
Healy buried his face in her shoulder, muffling his words. “I’ll apologize.”
Blanche’s heart melted, and tears slipped down her cheeks as she choked out, “You’re always my good boy, especially when you can admit your mistakes.”
Letting go of Healy, she reached into her purse and pulled out an amber pendant, slipping it over his head. “This is your birthday gift–from both me and your grandma.”
Healy brightened instantly, grinning. “You’re the best, Mom!”
“Go on, apologize.”
Blanche wiped away her tears, watching Healy walk over to Lara.
Suddenly, a furious shout echoed through the dressing room. “What are you all gossiping about? Who said Mrs. Simmons was being played for a fool?”
“Eddy, why are you keeping staff like this? How dare they accuse you and Jean of “Eddy, why are you
some shameful!” Margaret stormed out, her authority unchallenged. “You’re
all fired!”
She would never allow any scandal to taint the Anderson family. Dark secrets had to be stamped out before they could ever take root.
The staff trembled with fear. “It wasn’t me! She said it first!”
“She’s the one who claimed Mrs. Simmons was humiliated by being her husband’s mistress’s bridesmaid!”
“What do you mean I said it? You’re the one who insisted your boyfriend recognized her!”
Their phones were still playing a short video–the voices from it made Jeannette’s heart leap into her throat. Meeting Eddy’s dark, dangerous gaze, she nearly
panicked..
“What nonsense are you spreading?” Jeannette snapped.
“It’s not us, it’s the internet! There’s a video going viral… The staff, desperate to clear their names, blurted everything out. “People online are saying Mr. Simmons. is cheating with her!”
One of them pointed straight at Jeannette.
Jeannette’s face went white. She remembered all too well what happened to anyone who crossed Blanche. Terrified, she denied it without hesitation. “It isn’t
true.”
Blanche reached out and took the phone. Everyone who knew the truth held their breath.
Her expression remained serene as she watched the video for a few seconds, then handed the phone to Eddy. She spoke quietly to the staff, “Send this dress, and the bracelet, to the Simmons family.”
“I’ll go change.”
Just like that, she brushed aside the scandal–her husband and sister accused of an affair–without even a single question.
Eddy looked down at the phone, watching the video. Only the faces were blurred; anyone could tell it was him.
Blanche knew his body too well–she would never mistake him for someone else. She chose to believe him. After all, no one could see much from a fleeting, blurry
video.
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