Became A Queen After divorce

But it seemed that Mommy was closer to Libby.

For instance, today they went shopping together. Even though she was at home with nothing to do, Mommy didn’t invite her but went with Libby instead.

As soon as this thought came up, Pearl began to doubt herself: “Am I being too petty? Libby doesn’t have parents, and Mommy is her aunt. It’s only right for her to be nicer to her.”

Pearl forced herself not to overthink and put on a bright smile when she looked up.

“Mommy, Libby, you’re back from shopping.”

Natalia’s demeanor turned icy when she saw Declan, but she softened slightly at her daughter’s concern.

“Yes, I went to buy clothes for Libby. Her wardrobe is filled with nothing but black. Why should someone so young dress so somberly?”

As she spoke, Natalia laid out her “spoils” in front of Pearl.

The table was covered with shopping bags, all for Libby.

And she had nothing.

Pearl knew she didn’t lack clothes and shouldn’t compete with Libby, but she couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed.

Not wanting anyone to notice, she swallowed hard and forced a smile. “That’s nice.”

Declan was more direct. He looked up displeased and questioned Natalia, “Pearl just got back from Metshire and doesn’t have much luggage. Didn’t you buy anything for her?”

Natalia didn’t want to respond to him at all. She explained her behavior of not buying clothes for her own daughter by saying, “Sorry, Pearl. I didn’t see anything suitable for you today, so I didn’t buy anything. How about you go pick something yourself another day? Just let me know when you find something.”

Is it the same if I pick it myself?

Pearl felt a bit let down but didn’t dwell on such a small matter.

“It’s okay, Mommy. I have enough clothes. Libby has done a lot for this family; it’s only right we treat her well.”

Hearing this, Natalia looked at her unexpectedly and said coldly, “Thank you, Pearl, but this is what I should do.”

Declan was the first to notice that something was off with his daughter. Pearl had never been this quiet before.

Often, she would sit alone in a chair, lost in thought, looking troubled.

But when asked what was wrong, she wouldn’t say anything-just like now. Even if she felt uncomfortable, she’d rather endure it.

“Pearl, you’ve grown up a lot, but Daddy still hopes you can be the carefree and happy girl you used to be.”

Carefree and happy?

Natalia sneered inwardly.

If Pearl knew that the little boy she saved with her life died again at the hands of the father she revered, how dramatic would that scene be?

“Pearl has indeed become more sensible.”

**

At dinner, Declan sat at the head of the table, with Pearl on his left.

Natalia chose to sit far away from him on the opposite side of the long table, with Libby occasionally saying a few words.

The atmosphere was quiet and eerie.

Suddenly, Natalia spoke up and gently placed a piece of meat on Libby’s plate.

“Libby, eat more. You look too thin.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

Pearl shouldn’t have looked up. She tried hard to focus on her own food but couldn’t help glancing at the two at the end of the table.

Mommy had never served her food…

Suddenly, a piece of grilled pork belly landed in her bowl. Pearl looked up to see her father’s loving eyes.

“Pearl, eat more. I remember you love grilled pork belly.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

However, as soon as she took a bite, she felt uncomfortable and couldn’t help but vomit at the table.

“Ugh.”

“Pearl, are you alright?”

The sudden incident scared Declan. He quickly put down his utensils.

Natalia frowned but her first words were cold and unfeeling.

“Pearl, that’s very rude! A lady should never act so impolitely. Even if you’re unwell, you should excuse yourself first.”

Pearl had just endured a wave of stomach pain when her mother’s words hit her like a stick to the heart.

The nausea subsided, replaced by overwhelming grievance.

She looked at her mother with teary eyes.

“Mommy, I really don’t feel well.”

Those eyes were so pitiful that Natalia was momentarily stunned.

This was her biological daughter!

“I…”

“Enough, Natalia! Do you have any heart?”

“Pearl is your daughter, not your servant. If she’s unwell and you don’t care, fine. But how can you scold her in public?”

Natalia instinctively wanted to argue that she wasn’t scolding Pearl. But seeing Pearl’s sad face left her speechless.

“I’m doing this for her own good.” Her words lacked conviction…

To prevent her parents from arguing because of her, Pearl quickly intervened.

“Daddy, it’s okay. It was probably just an accident. Don’t argue with Mommy; she’s only thinking of me.”

Hearing this, Natalia gave her a loving look.

“Pearl, I’m sorry for being too harsh earlier. Are you feeling better now? Should we go to the hospital?”

“No need to go to the hospital! I have an appointment with Miss Lawrence tomorrow. She’s very skilled; I’ll have her check on me.”

Since Pearl insisted on not going to the hospital, Natalia had no choice but to drop it.

However, Natalia did become slightly interested in this “Miss Lawrence.”

She had heard that Miss Lawrence’s husband was the son of Gracie and another man and that she herself was an heir of the Edwards family.

When she visited Chulae years ago, she had heard of the genius Selah from the Edwards family and had been amazed when she met her.

Her daughter must be exceptional too.

Dinner continued in silence until Declan announced the engagement with the Crete family.

“What? An engagement!”

Several voices rose in surprise in the hall.

Pearl felt as if she’d received terrible news and collapsed onto the sofa.

“How could this be? Didn’t the duchess promise us that everything would be settled once Lord Parker was healed?”

“And he killed Ruth!”Belongs to © n0velDrama.Org.

By all rights, it should be Lord Parker apologizing to her.

Declan’s eyes flickered as he concealed his collaboration with Duke Austen and directly announced the result.

“The engagement party is set for the eighth of next month. Libby, make sure you attend.”

His sudden mention of Libby’s name caught everyone off guard.

Especially Libby.

She looked at her godfather in disbelief and asked, “Daddy, do you mean… I’m the one getting engaged?”

“Yes!”