Chapter 102 All the Anger in My Heart Disappeared
Margaret just sat there, listening, and weirdly enough, she wasn't even mad.
If she'd heard this before knowing the real deal, she'd be losing it—crying, yelling, and throwing back even nastier words.
But seriously, when would this back-and-forth hate ever stop?
He had a point; the Hughes family did owe the Howards.
Margaret didn't expect him to be so clued in on her whereabouts, but she didn't question it or hold a grudge. The Margaret and Raymond of today were totally different people. She was scared that saying anything would just start another round of nasty words.
Margaret quietly hung up and booked a flight to Silverbrook that night.
As soon as she landed and got home, she was so hungry she felt like she might pass out. Just as she was about to whip something up in the kitchen, her liver started hurting like crazy, like a bunch of termites were gnawing at it.
She stumbled to the cabinet, found the painkillers, and with shaky hands, tossed a handful into her mouth. The bitterness spread like wildfire.
She chugged a few glasses of water to wash it down.
There was nothing at home, not even a single veggie.
Margaret made some spaghetti and sat down to eat.
She hated spaghetti; she was all about burgers. But here she was, eating the one thing she couldn't stand.
Then her phone rang.
Seeing it was Nancy, she answered and put it on speaker.
Nancy started with the usual concern, asking if she'd eaten and mentioning how the weather in Silverbrook had gotten colder, telling her to use more blankets or crank up the heater at night.
Nancy then reminded her that she was now the Hughes family's only hope and needed to take care of herself.
After all that, Nancy finally got to the point. "Margaret, the director just came to see me. He said the fees are due again in half a month. Don't forget about it."
"Okay."
Margaret kept eating the spaghetti, which tasted like crap.
"Margaret, I'm not trying to stress you out, but your dad's doing better, and moving him could be too much. This hospital's pricey, but if the treatment fails, we'll lose both the money and maybe your dad. I heard Raymond owns this hospital. Since you're married, he might help you, right?"
Margaret listened to Nancy, chewing the food that felt like needles going down her throat.
How could she tell Nancy that she and Raymond were already divorced and she had nothing?
Nancy would find out sooner or later, so might as well see how she'd react.
"Mom, if I divorced him, would you be okay with that?" Margaret asked.
The phone went dead silent.
No one said a word for what felt like forever.
If she hadn't checked the screen to see they were still connected, she'd have thought Nancy hung up.
Margaret thought Nancy hadn't heard her, so she asked again.
"Margaret, I get it, you're pissed. Raymond ditched you way too quick. You should dump his sorry ass a thousand times!" Nancy snapped, then softened her tone. "But if you do, how are you gonna survive? The Hughes family ain't what it used to be. You've been too sheltered and sweet; you don't have the skills to make it on your own.
"Your dad's medical bills are sky-high, like hundreds of thousands a month. Without Raymond, we're screwed. Is this all 'cause of Sarah?
"Margaret, I know it kills you to see Raymond with Sarah. But as you get older, you'll see no guy is completely faithful. Just think of him as a cash machine."
"If you divorce, with your dad in a coma, remarrying will be a nightmare. No rich family will take us in."
"Even your dad, such a good man, cheated once when he was young. I caught him, cried, and wanted a divorce. But he sincerely apologized, cut ties with the other woman, and treated us better. We've been together for decades, and those episodes are long forgiven."
"What if Raymond gets tired of Sarah and remembers how good you are? Margaret, don't you still care about him? Are you really ready to let him go?"
Margaret listened quietly, then calmly finished the food in her bowl.
She always thought Nancy loved her, but now she realized that family affection was tied to interests. Nancy did love her, but she loved Marlon more.
There was nothing wrong with loving one's spouse, but it left a bitter feeling in her heart.
But she caused all this. How could she blame Nancy for not considering her feelings?
Nancy was originally a carefree, wealthy lady living happily with Marlon. Margaret insisted on marrying Raymond, disrupting the balance of the Hughes family.
Moreover, her parents had pampered and cherished her for the past twenty years. Now, it was her turn to take on the responsibility of being their child.
"Margaret, did you hear me? Don't throw a tantrum. I'm begging you."
"Mom, I was just messing with you. I've loved Raymond for so many years and married him despite your opposition. Without me and the Hughes family, he wouldn't be who he is now. I won't divorce him, giving him to Sarah would be too easy for them. I'm not that generous. Even if it takes my whole life, I'll die as Mrs. Howard." Margaret reassured her.
"Margaret, you've always been sensible. I'm relieved to hear you say that. I gotta go; the doctor is here for rounds. Remember to take care of yourself, Margaret. Let's hold on for another twenty days; maybe your father will wake up. Then we can plan further."
"Okay."
Margaret watched the call end, a mocking smile flashing across her lips.
She heard the sound of leather shoes on the stairs.
But she didn't turn around.
Soon, a tall figure pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down, lighting a cigar and smoking it, filling the air with smoke.
Margaret hated the smell of smoke. Before Marlon's accident, he never smoked in front of her, nor did he go to bed smelling of smoke. Now he was blatantly smoking in front of her.
Everything had changed.
Margaret chuckled. "Mr. Howard, are you willing to take care of the Hughes family?"
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