Chapter 188 You Should Get a DNA Test Too
But why did I feel guilty about it?
From start to finish, I hadn't done anything wrong.
Thinking of this, I glanced towards Jerry and Bella. Bella had thrown herself onto Jerry, and though he hesitated momentarily, looking a bit uncomfortable yet cautious of hurting Bella's feelings, he gently held her arm to create some distance. His voice, calm and devoid of any emotion, merely said, "Slow down."
"But I missed you." Bella replied softly, her eyes wide and innocent, her pale cheeks betraying a cautious demeanor akin to a frightened rabbit. "You left so early yesterday. I haven't seen you for almost twenty hours."
She measured it down to the hour.
I collected my thoughts and smiled slightly, catching Jerry's gaze upon me once more. Seeing my calm and composed demeanor seemed to irritate him slightly. He let go of Bella’s hand, offered one of his roguish smiles, and sauntered over to greet Grace and Claire before lazily seating himself on the sofa opposite me.
Grace gave Jerry a reproachful look. "Jerry, you should take better care of Bella, she just got back."
Claire chuckled, adding with a hint of amusement, "What are you talking about? Bella is at her own home; why should Jerry take care of her? Besides, Jerry should treat Bella like a sister from now on. They haven't been together for so many years; there's no real bond. We shouldn't be so old-fashioned; let the kids decide their own feelings."
Her words caught me off guard. Was Claire implying they might call off the engagement?
Grace caught the implication, even more surprised than I was. "What do you mean? Are you calling off the engagement? Jerry has waited for Bella for so many years."
Clearly, Jerry had discussed this with Claire privately but hadn't informed his family yet.
Claire smiled. "Let the young ones decide. Childhood bonds are still there, but they may not be enough to support a marriage. Such a major life decision should be up to them."
Jerry smiled, setting down his coffee cup and speaking seriously, "Yes, I've discussed it privately with Bella, and she agrees."
"So it was your idea." Grace glared at Jerry but didn't seem to blame him. She turned to Bella. "Bella, his words don't count. Tell me yourself, do you agree?"
Bella twisted her fingers nervously, glancing at Jerry's expression. Her eyes suddenly grew red.. She whispered, "I don't want to just be a sister, but if it's what Jerry wants, I respect him."
Bella was still speaking when Jerry's brow slowly furrowed, a look of incredulity on his face.
Grace, exasperated, raised her hand and smacked Jerry on the head. "Did you hear that? I'm telling you, even if I agree to call off the engagement, your grandfather won't!"
"Mrs. Hammer, you are so wise!" Suddenly, Skylar walked in, gently touching Bella's cheek, speaking softly, "Don't worry, Jerry has waited for you for so many years. There's no way he'd call off the engagement."
Bella timidly called out, "Mom."
Jerry remained silent, casually playing with his phone. Within two minutes, I received a message from him: [I'll handle it.]
I didn't reply.
Nor did I look at Jerry again.
The Bella in front of me was even more formidable than Evelyn ever was. I didn't want to get involved.
[Why don't you get a DNA test too?]
[Hope Royston, reply to me.]
[Running away again?]
The atmosphere in the room remained superficially relaxed, while my phone kept buzzing with messages. I frowned and set Jerry's chat to Do Not Disturb.
Skylar noticed the commotion on my side and said sharply, "Ms. Royston, you just got divorced, and your phone is already buzzing non-stop. Finding the next boyfriend pretty quickly, aren't you?"
Jerry clicked his tongue, looking ready to explode on the spot.
I didn't want to get entangled with Jerry at this critical moment, so I spoke first, "Generally, it was not as fast as Kimberly Harris. I just got divorced, and she's already engaged and broken off with my ex-husband!"
"You!" Skylar glared at me viciously.
She did it on purpose, trying to humiliate me in front of everyone. But who didn’t know how to bring up someone’s painful past?
Grace seemed to catch on, frowning slightly. "Hope, your ex-husband is Christopher Valence?"
"Yes," I admitted openly. Having loved someone and having had a marriage was nothing to be ashamed of.
Grace looked disapprovingly at Claire. "Your family has really done something unethical!"
It was clear that Grace and Claire had a good relationship. So Claire didn't mind at all. She merely glanced at Skylar. "Don't drag me into this; it's the good deeds of their family of three!"
"Mom!" Skylar was displeased, but everyone present was either older or someone she couldn't afford to offend, so she could only lash out at me.
She taunted with a sly grin, "You really think your ex-husband is a catch? Now that the RF Group has gobbled up his company, he probably has nothing left but the crumbs from selling his shares!"
I responded with a calm, nonchalant smile, refraining from offering any further comment.
Skylar let out a dismissive laugh. "Still dreaming of Kimberly tying the knot with him? Please! To burst your bubble, do you even know who Kimberly is seeing now? None other than the president of the RF Group!"
Her words left me momentarily puzzled. So, Kimberly was planning to play the same old game, now setting her sights on marrying Daniel?
Just then, Skylar's phone rang, and she answered with a face lit up with pleasure. "What? Mr. Martinez said their boss is coming too? Absolutely, I'll make sure everything is perfect. Let me know when you pick him up; my husband and I will personally greet him at the door!"
Her excitement was palpable.
After hanging up, she looked at me with a smug look. "Hope Royston, only you could still think your ex-husband is a prize. Our Kimberly might soon be the wife of RF Group's boss."
It was ironic to think Daniel, who once worked under Christopher, was now being eyed as a second choice. Unable to suppress a chuckle, I looked at Skylar. "Well, let me be the first to offer early congratulations to Ms. Harris."
Skylar's eyes narrowed in irritation. "Cut the sarcasm. You're just envious of Kimberly. After all, it's her first marriage, and she'll definitely marry better than you ever did!"
Out of the blue, Jerry chimed in, "Skylar, only someone utterly shallow would measure worth by comparing first and second marriages. Beyond it being her first marriage, what else is there to Kimberly Harris?"
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