Chapter 137
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“Zina, I’m back. I know I’ve done a lot of things I shouldn’t have before. I actually came back this time specifically to apologize to you–and it just so happens you’re here too,” said Lydia.
As Lydia moved to grab Zina’s hand, Zina sharply stopped her.
“Wait,” Zina snapped.
Zina frowned at Lydia, who had suddenly appeared. Taking a deep breath, she turned to Adrian with a questioning look, silently seeking an explanation.
Adrian hung his head, but it was still obvious that his face was flushed crimson. His hands nervously clutched at his clothes, and his voice was barely more than a nervous mumble.
Adrian mumbled, “Well, I just thought Lydia was having a really hard time all alone out there, so I brought her back. If you’re going to blame someone, blame me.”
Adrian gritted his teeth, then abruptly lifted his head. For once, that look of righteous resolve actually made him seem a bit more manly.
Zina’s eyes narrowed with scrutiny, but before she could speak, Yvonne suddenly strode forward to stand before Adrian
Almost instantly, Yvonne wound up her arm and delivered a fierce slap across Adrian’s face.
Adrian stood frozen in place, his mind completely blank, eyes wide with shock as he stared at Yvonne.
Adrian cried out, “Mom, what the hell was that for?”
Yvonne’s chest heaved, her anger palpable, yet she fought to rein in her emotions.
Yet even so, Yvonne’s voice trembled when she spoke. “Adrian, what have I taught you!
“After all these years of the Lambert family’s discipline, is this what you’ve learned, to pay lip service while acting contrary. to take matters into your hands?
“And now, what are you saying to Zina? Are those really the words you should be saying to her? Have you no shame? How could you forget all of your upbringing?”
True to her strict Bradley family upbringing, Yvonne–even at the peak of her fury–restrained herself to these measured.
words.
But in the eyes she turned toward Adrian, all traces of motherly warmth had long since vanished, leaving behind nothing but boundless disappointment.
Adrian panicked. “Mom, that’s not what I meant, I just-
“Mom, Adrian just felt bad for me, and that’s all. Before Adrian could finish his sentence, Lydia was already in tears, stepping protectively in front of him.
“I know I did so many terrible things to Zina before, Lydia pleaded tearfully, “but I’ve already paid the price. I really miss you all–I just want to come back and be with you.
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Chapter 137
“Even if it means giving up my status as a daughter of the Lambert family, I’m willing. I’ll do any work around the house-
Lydia was crying with apparent sincerity, completely unaware that Yvonne’s expression had frozen into ice beside her, her eyes glinting with nothing but glacial coldness.
Midway through. Lydia faltered–she’d genuinely run out of words. But with no other choice, she had to grit her teeth and keep spinning the lie.
Yet, to her dismay, neither Yvonne nor Adrian made a move, leaving Lydia increasingly restless and anxious.
“Why isn’t this going the way she imagined? Lydia wondered anxiously. ‘Shouldn’t Adrian be here comfor
And shouldn’t Mom have forgiven and soothed me already?
‘I didn’t think this through. What should I make up next?
Lydia grew increasingly agitated, her hands clenching tightly together, fingers digging into each other, as a
seemed to break out all over her.
At that moment. Yvonne finally had enough. With measured steps, she advanced toward Lydia.
Under Lydia’s expectant gaze, Yvonne’s face hardened, her voice turning dangerously icy.
me by now?
clammy sweat
“Lydia,” Yvonne said icily, “have I been so lax with you lately that you’ve gotten the delusion you can just stir up trouble at
will!
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