Chapter 118
Chapter 118
Leanne didn’t cause a scene or demand to know why try was fegning itness, and she simply said, “If you’ve got a hankering, have a little taste, but don’t overdo it you’ve got to keep tabs on your own health.”
Hearing the edge in Leanne’s voice and noticing the bag in her hand, Mary’s anxiety flared, and she sat up with a jolt.
“Where are you off to with that bag? Are you leaving?”
“Did you already find out about my divorce from Curtis?” Leanne asked.
Unable to keep up the act any longer, Mary throw off the covers, determined to get out of bed, “Everything was fine before, why the divorce? Did that rascal upset you again? I swear I’ll wallop him.”
Leanne stopped Mary, who was all set to go and give Curtis a piece of her mind.
“We were never fine. He never loved me, and I don’t love him anymore. The marriage was for you, we agreed on three years. Now that you’re in good health, there’s no need to force it any longer.”
“Who says he doesn’t love you? Don’t listen to gossip. I know Curtis.”
Leanne interjected, “He told me himself.”
“What?” Mary nearly ran out of breath in shock
Leanne helped her back to bed, urging her to lie down.
After sitting beside the bed for a moment, Leanne spoke softly, “Grandma, these past. three years have been really tough, not a shred of happiness. Please, don’t force me to stay in this.”
Mary’s eyes reddened with sorrow as she looked at Leanne’s calm demeanor, “How did it
come to this.”
Leanne offered a reassuring smile and tried to lighten the mood, “Even though I’m divorced and technically not a Richardson anymore, you’re still family to me. I’ll swing by often, and if you ever miss me, just give me a call. Our bond won’t change because of them.”
After tucking the blankets around Mary, Leanne picked up her bag and stood up.
Mary insisted on seeing her out, so Leanne helped her into a warm coat.
Jake was already waiting in the yard, the car warmed up and cozy.
Mary walked Leanne to the car, reminding Jake to ensure she got home safely before returning.
Holding onto Leanne’s hand, Mary rambled on with
say, finally letting go reluctantly.
“Call me when you get home, just to let me know you’re sole
With a forced smile, Leanne replied, “I will, Grandma.
nothing left to
As the car left the yard and Mary’s expectant figure disappeared from the rearview mirror, Leanne could no longer hold back her tears.
She bent over, covering her eyes as tears brimmed and spilled through her fingers.
Her muffled sobs eventually caught Jake’s attention, and he glanced back several times.
As a driver, he wasn’t supposed to comment on his employer’s private matters, but Leanne was barely older than his own daughter. Seeing her cry in silence moved him deeply.
“Actually, Mr. Curtis does care about you,” Jake said gently. Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
Leanne pressed her sleeve to her eyes, calming her emotions, “Jake, you’re the only one in the whole world who would say that.”
Jake sighed silently.
He couldn’t fathom how things between them had gone so wrong. They seemed so in love at the beginning, clearly caring for each other.
He remembered the last time Leanne got drunk at a bar and how Curtis carried her home, cradling her in his lap the whole way.
Leanne, unconscious from the alcohol, was helpless as Curtis played with her nose, rubbed her cheeks, and spoke to her as she lay in his arms,
“Sleeping like the dead. I should just sell you off.”
“Leanne, if I sold you, could you find your way back home?”
Then, changing his mind, he kissed her and said, “Never mind, I won’t sell you. You’re too
clueless, and I’m afraid you won’t be able to find your way back.”