Chapter 54
Kelvin dove in after her without hesitation. In just a few minutes, he managed to pull Jeannette out of the river and onto the bank.
Jeannette coughed violently as Kelvin worked to help her breathe, finally gasping in air.
“Eddy, Laney, please-I’m begging you, let her go,” Kelvin pleaded.
“I’ll break up with Ingrid. I want to be with her.”
Blanche never imagined that, in the end, it would be Kelvin who risked his life to save Jeannette. She said nothing, simply tossed Eddy’s suit jacket into the rushing river and strode away.
Ingrid hurried to catch up.
In the passenger seat of the Ferrari, Ingrid was a bundle of nerves, fidgeting as though sitting on hot coals.
“Laney, I swear, I never meant to keep things from you to help Eddy. There were so many times I almost told you the truth, but I was afraid you’d be devastated,” Ingrid explained, her voice trembling. “Eddy and Jeannette-it was just a meaningless fling. He loves you, that’s the truth.”
“You saw it yourself-just now, to calm you down, Eddy threw Jeannette into the river without a second thought.”
“You’re the one he cares about most, No one could ever take your place.”
“I only kept quiet because I know how much you love him. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“I care about both of you, Laney. You and Eddy are my dearest friends. I just couldn’t bear to lose either of you. I honestly didn’t know what to do.” Ingrid’s voice grew desperate. “Please, Laney-can you forgive me this time?”
Blanche glanced calmly at Ingrid, then turned her eyes back to the road.
Her voice was cool and measured. “You didn’t tell Eddy I was planning to leave. I believe you were truly torn.”
“Ingrid, please-don’t lie to me again.”
“If it happens another time, I won’t forgive you.”
Tears welled in Ingrid’s eyes, and she nodded emphatically.
Blanche is so easy to fool.
Inwardly, Ingrid smirked coldly, but on the surface she asked, “Laney, you’re just too soft-hearted.”
“Women like Jeannette-homewreckers-don’t deserve any sympathy.”
“If she survives, she’ll probably just cling to Eddy even more.”
Blanche had never wished death on anyone. Her beliefs would never allow her to break the law, let alone leave someone to drown in the river.
But what stunned her was that Eddy had watched it all unfold without a trace of pity for Jeannette.
Had she imagined that fleeting look of regret on his face just now?
“When I brought up divorce, he was terrified. He clung to me so tightly. I believe he truly loves me. Even if Jeannette tries to come between us again, he won’t do anything to betray me ever again,” Blanche said quietly.
“So, you’re not getting divorced? You’re not planning to leave him?” Ingrid’s voice suddenly dropped to a whisper.
Blanche was surprised by the question, but she nodded.
Just to be safe, Ingrid told Eddy about Blanche’s plan to leave.
She intended to keep Blanche in the dark.
“You don’t have to feel torn anymore,” Blanche said.
2/4
14.00
“Yeah, that’s… that’s great.” Ingrid forced a smile, but her expression darkened with disappointment.
Blanche recalled how, back in her office, when she’d confided the truth to Ingrid, Ingrid hadn’t urged her to forgive Eddy. Instead, she’d twisted the knife, saying, “Cheating never happens just once.”
Blanche’s eyes dimmed. Deep down, she realized Ingrid had wanted her to leave.
But why?
After dropping Ingrid off at home, Blanche returned to the old family estate. She hadn’t even stepped inside when she overheard Hedwig’s anxious voice.
“She really doesn’t know about my brother and Jeannette?” Hedwig was slumped on the floor. “She honestly has no idea he cheated on her?”
“Your sister-in-law’s temper is just like your Ms. Harvey’s. If she knew, she’d have been screaming for a divorce and left the Simmons family ages ago there’s no way she’d stay so calm. I’m warning you, if you dare breathe a word about this to her, I’ll never call you my daughter again.” Loraine’s tone was sharp and irritated.
“But, Mom-”
It suddenly dawned on Hedwig that Ingrid had played her. Her face went pale with fear. Just two hours earlier, she herself had blurted out the truth to Blanche-that her brother had been cheating with Jeannette, his
half-sister.
Now Blanche was missing, and Hedwig was terrified she’d gone to confront Jeannette. If the truth came out, she’d have no place left in the Simmons family.
Loraine watched Hedwig sitting there in shock, scowled at her, and headed upstairs..
Only then did Blanche slowly step inside and stand before Hedwig.
3/4
Chapter 54
Hedwig was so startled she scrambled backward, nearly falling over herself before she managed to steady her nerves and look up at
Blanche. “S-sister-in-law…”
But in the next second, she rushed over, clutching Blanche’s leg, sobbing, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean what I said before. Please, you have to forgive
me.”
“My brother didn’t do anything to hurt you. I made it all up, every word.”
Maybe, if Hedwig’s apology was sincere enough, Blanche would be able to forgive her.
