Chapter 114 The In-Laws' Past
Ava had always possessed a unique charm that seemed to effortlessly melt the old lady's anger. Once Ava's magic had been worked, the elderly woman's fury would dissipate like morning fog under the sun's gentle touch.
"Very well, let's dine," the old lady conceded, her voice softening. "I couldn't bear to see Ava go hungry."
And so, they began their meal, the clinking of silverware against porcelain punctuating the comfortable silence.
"Ava, do try the fish," the old lady suggested, her eyes twinkling. "I made sure the kitchen prepared it with the spices you love."
"Thank you, Grandma," Ava responded, taking a bite and nodding in appreciation. "It's absolutely divine."
"If you enjoy it, don't hesitate to indulge. You needn't always cater to Alex's tastes. You love spicy food, yet you often avoid it for his sake. He seldom considers your preferences," the old lady pointed out. Despite not sharing a home with them, she was remarkably perceptive.
"Grandma, Alex treats me well. He's simply not one to wear his heart on his sleeve," Ava defended, not wanting Scarlett to harbor resentment towards Alexander. Scarlett was the adhesive that held the family together, after all.
Unbeknownst to them, Alexander lingered just outside the dining room. He had been about to enter when Ava's words reached his ears.
Should he feel a sense of shame? Had he truly been as considerate towards Ava as he should have been?
"Yes, Alex tends to keep his emotions to himself. In some ways, he's like his father, prone to misjudging people. That's why I might seem harsh towards him at times. I don't want him to repeat his father's mistakes and cause trouble for Mia," Scarlett explained.
"Grandma, what exactly happened between dad and mom?" Ava inquired, her curiosity piqued. She had never asked before, but now that Scarlett had broached the subject, it seemed the older woman was ready to share.
Scarlett sighed heavily, her gaze distant. "It's quite a farce, I'm not sure where to begin."
Seeing Scarlett's wistful expression, Ava quickly reassured her, "Grandma, if it's too painful for you, you don't have to tell me."
Scarlett chuckled softly, "My dear, why wouldn't it be comfortable? You're a part of the Mitchell family too. I've simply never mentioned it before because it's rather embarrassing."
"Grandma, what really happened?" Ava pressed, her curiosity unsated.
Scarlett proceeded to share the painful family history with Ava. "Your father-in-law had difficulty severing ties with his old flame. His wife, your mother-in-law, endured so much, but he was obstinate and insisted on maintaining contact with his past."
Ava's eyes widened slightly in surprise, her lip caught between her teeth. "Are you suggesting my father-in-law had an affair?"
"Only he would know if he truly crossed that line, but it led to endless quarrels with his wife. The situation was so dire, she fell ill from the stress and nearly had a serious breakdown," Scarlett recounted, her tone grave.
“They went through a tumultuous period, with whispers of divorce echoing through the halls. I intervened, hoping to quell the drama. I met his so-called first love to assess her, and honestly, it was laughable. I couldn't see what he saw in her. It felt as though he could have picked a random woman from a nightclub and achieved the same result."
Scarlett sighed, a look of resignation crossing her face. "That woman put on quite the performance, convincing your father-in-law that I was out to get her. It led to a heated argument between George and me. I was furious and made it clear to him: he could divorce if he wished, but he would have to forfeit the Mitchell legacy - walk out with nothing!"
Ava couldn't help but admire the old lady's resolve. She treated her own son with an impartial hand, showing no favoritism. She stood up for the daughter-in-law, even threatening her own son with disinheritance.
Such a mother-in-law was rare, and it was no wonder that Mia, despite her cool demeanor towards George, held Scarlett in high regard. The respect was well-deserved.
“What happened next? How did my father-in-law fare?” Ava asked, her interest piqued.
