Chapter 35
"Isn't that good news, though?" Harper questioned, perplexed.
She was too embarrassed to admit that she couldn't bear the conversation any longer. Now, the world felt at peace, blissfully quiet.
Francis's handsome face darkened, and he fell silent.
Harper felt a small sting in her heart. She was beginning to feel like Francis was growing more and more hostile toward her.
Luckily, it would all be over soon.
The more she spoke, the worse it got, so she clamped her mouth shut.
Before long, they'd arrived at the ancestral home. They had deliberately chosen to come during Dylan's nap time.
Abigail knew Harper was coming and had eagerly come out to greet her.
Once inside, Abigail wrapped her arms around Harper affectionately, her eyes filled with fondness and concern.
"How did you get so thin?" Abigail chided, touching Harper's face. "Isn't Francis taking good care of you?"
Francis remained stoic.
Harper quickly interjected, "Abigail, can we talk alone for a moment?"
Abigail furrowed her brows. She had a hunch about what was to come. She sighed softly, "All right."
Rising, she led Harper to a side room.
Sitting down, Abigail held Harper's hands gently and said, "Good girl, whatever it is, you can tell me."
"Mom, I need to start by saying I'm sorry. I haven't taken care of you these past two years."
Abigail reassured her, "It's my fault, too. I've neglected you while I accompanied your father abroad. But it's not too late. I'm here now, ready to spend time with you."
Harper's beautiful almond-shaped eyes took on a touch of sorrow. "I'm sorry, Mom. I'm about to let you down."
Abigail's heart sank. "Harper, are you sure about this? Francis may seem cold on the outside, but he's warm at heart. I know my son. It's possible he cares for you more than you think."
Looking back at everything, Harper found it hard to believe that Francis had no affection for her at all. But what did it matter?
Chloe's return made Harper painfully aware of two things, self-humiliation and self-awareness.
Maybe that affection had been genuine once, but whenever Chloe was involved, it seemed to disappear.
She couldn't endure the constant anxiety any longer.
With a bitter smile, Harper confessed, "Mom, I may just be an ordinary person, but I yearn for a bit of favoritism."
She wanted his whole and unreserved favoritism without distractions.
Regardless of right or wrong, he would always take her side.
Harper's words hit Abigail like a ton of bricks, leaving her at a loss for words and no longer able to coax her further.
Abigail had a hundred excuses to stop the divorce, but now, facing this innocent young woman, Abigail didn't want Harper to go through what she had endured.
Holding Harper's hand tenderly, she patted it and spoke with gentle warmth, "Harper, you've been wronged, honey. I'm sorry on behalf of Francis."
"Mom, no apologies needed. There's nothing to be sorry for."
'Loving someone isn't wrong. The blame, if any, would be for not being the one in his heart.
Tears welled up in Abigail's eyes. "I can't ask you to stay. Follow your heart."
Harper slid off the bracelet Abigail had given her, handing it back as she fought back tears, "Mom, I'm sorry. I can't be your daughter-in-law anymore."
Without missing a beat, Abigail slipped the jade bracelet back onto Harper's wrist, her voice laden with emotion, "I didn't give this to you because you were my daughter-in-law. Even if you divorce my son today, you're still dear to me like a daughter. Would you really cut ties with us? Can you truly bear to leave me, to leave Dylan?"
Abigail struck Harper's most tender spot.
The love from Abigail and Dylan's doting made the thought of severing those bonds an excruciating heartache.
Unable to contain herself anymore, Harper embraced Abigail and let the tears pour out.
Grateful for the incredible mother-in-law she was blessed with, and for a secret love that spanned over a decade.
Finally, Harper wiped her tears, sincerely saying, "Mom, thank you for understanding me!"
With comforting pats on her back, Abigail said, "Harper, divorced or not, I am still your mom. You got that?"
As Harper was about to speak, a startling thud echoed from behind.
Dylan struck the tile floor mightily with his cane, his voice thundering, "What are you two talking about, and who's divorcing whom?"
Harper's face registered shock. 'How did Dylan find his way here?'
Abigail panicked further, hurrying to Dylan's side, "Dad, it's nothing, just small talk."
But Dylan brushed off her hand with a swift movement, his anger clear, "You think I'm on my deathbed, is that it? You've started to fool me!"
"Dylan, it's not like that..." Harper's heart quivered as she searched for the right words.
A fiery anger glared from Dylan's sharp eyes. He bellowed, "I don't want to hear it, let that damn boy come inside!"
Soon enough, Francis entered the room.
Dylan spoke gravely, "Are you really going to divorce Harper?"
Francis pressed his lips into a thin line, his silence serving as confirmation.
Dylan's temper flared, his face contorting with anger. "Is it actually true?"
Without hesitation, Francis dropped to his knees before Dylan in a gesture that caught everyone off guard.
Harper squeezed her fingers tightly, looking down. She hadn't thought Francis would kneel for Chloe. Understanding was one thing, but feeling heartache was undeniable. Deep down, she still loved him, and that was the sad truth of her situation.
Dylan's rage intensified at the sight of Francis's submission. He lifted his cane, pointing it at Francis, unable to articulate his fury.
Then, with a thud, the cane slipped from Dylan's grasp.
A second later, Dylan collapsed. Francis quickly caught him, shouting for someone to get the car.
"Dylan!"
"Father!"
Both Harper and Abigail rushed over, the room descending into chaos.
Francis whisked Dylan away to the hospital at top speed, with Harper and Abigail in another vehicle.
Upon reaching the hospital, they bolted straight for the emergency room. Abigail, usually so composed, was visibly shaken, her legs weak and needing support.
Harper's heart ached with anxiety. If anything happened to Dylan, she would never forgive herself.
Outside the emergency room, the family waited in tense silence until the doctor finally emerged.
Abigail was the first to approach, asking, "Doctor, how's Dylan?"
"Rest assured, we've stabilized him, but you must remember, Dylan is elderly. He must avoid stress and excitement."
Abigail sank to the ground, clutching her chest in relief with a soft "Thank heavens."
Francis instructed a bodyguard to guide Abigail to a place to rest. He then headed for Dylan's hospital room, Harper following closely.
Just before entering, Francis stopped, his tone harsh, "Watch what you say." It sounded almost cruel.
Harper was taken aback, thinking his concern for Dylan was the reason, and simply nodded in response.
In the hospital room, Dylan had already changed into a patient gown, looking suddenly older. Despite this, Dylan beckoned Harper with a hand, "Come here, girl."
Harper couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat as she rushed forward, tears streaming down her face. " Dylan, I'm so relieved you're okay," she cried.
"Don't underestimate me," Dylan said, patting Harper's hair with affection. "I'm still fit as a fiddle."
He teased her gently, "You are a big girl now, Harper, and still you're crying like a child."
Embarrassed, Harper wiped away her tears, careful not to lean too hard on Dylan. She stood a little straighter.
Francis moved closer, his gaze lingering on Harper's face for a brief second before he turned to Dylan and said in a low voice, " Dylan, I'm sorry."
The smile on Dylan's face disappeared as his expression turned stern. "The one you should be apologizing to isn't me!"
Francis bowed his head slightly, at a loss for words.
Dylan, his temper flaring again, raised his voice, "It seems to me you're losing your wits! Here you have Harper, a fine woman, and you're talking about letting her go? What in the world are you trying to pull?"
"Cough, cough... cough..." Overcome with emotion, Dylan began to cough uncontrollably.
Harper stepped forward quickly, patting Dylan's back to calm him. " Dylan, please, don't be upset. It's not Francis's fault..."
Before she could finish, Francis abruptly spoke up, " Dylan, you misunderstood. I never said I wanted a divorce from Harper."
A piercing white noise filled Harper's ears.
Her hand froze momentarily.
It took her a moment to process.
'Did Francis just say... no divorce?'
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