Chapter 7 Jessica Insists She Won't Divorce
Jessica pursed her lips, remaining silent.
"Diana, you tell me." He insisted.
Diana immediately teared up, "Gabriel, don't blame Jessica. Blame me. I'm the helpless one. I tried to stand, only to realize I don't have the strength to do so."
"Is that so?" Gabriel turned to Jessica.
Still, Jessica said nothing.
Gabriel then questioned Diana, "Your legs haven't healed. You were fine sitting down. What made you suddenly want to stand up?"
"I'm sorry, Gabriel... It's just..." Diana broke into sobs, "I got so emotional because Jessica said... she said she won't discuss divorce with Xavier. She swore she'd never leave you."
"Stop framing me, when did I say such a thing?" Jessica defended herself. It was the first time she had been so confrontational and out of control in front of Gabriel.
"You said that?" Gabriel's gaze was icy.
"If you don't believe me, I can call Xavier and discuss the divorce right now," Jessica opened her hands in a gesture of indifference.
Gabriel massaged his temples and let out a sigh, then spoke softly.
"Diana, I get that you're anxious for me to finalize my divorce, but didn't we agree to wait? Xavier's not in the best of health, and I promised to bring it up after his birthday."
"I'm sorry, but if you can't even wait that long, I'll have to side with Xavier over you," he said with a sigh.
At those words, Diana's panic surged. She reached out, tugging at Gabriel's sleeve with a pitiable look in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Gabriel. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."
"I shouldn't have fought with you that night over this," she continued, remorse thick in her voice. "I was just so worried, scared of waiting too long, scared that you might change your mind about the divorce… or worse, scared that you might not choose me."
With that, Diana did something unexpected; she reached out and embraced Gabriel, clinging to him.
Jessica's eyes bulged in disbelief. There they were, in broad daylight, and Diana, the other woman, dared to wrap her arms around her husband without a trace of shame.
Jessica was about to speak up when a cutting voice sliced through the tension like a knife.
"Looks like we've got ourselves a real Sunset Boulevard scene here. Since when does a homewrecker hold someone else's husband and have the gall to justify it?" the voice mocked.
‘That voice?’
Jessica turned just as Gabriel blurted out, "Mom, what brings you here?"
"And why shouldn't I be here? Just doing my routine check of the mall when I stumbled upon this disgrace. I came to put a stop to it, only to find my son at the center of it all," Danielle Whitney interjected with undisguised contempt.
"Mom, don't blame Diana, it's not her fault, and..." Gabriel tried to explain, but Danielle cut him off sharply.
"If it's not her fault, then it must be yours! A married man shouldn't be holding anyone but his wife. It's disgraceful, and I'm ashamed to call you, my son," she said sternly. Danielle had always had zero tolerance for infidelity.
"Keep your hands to yourself. If I catch you embracing any woman other than your wife again, don't bother coming 'round to The Walton family home. We won't have our family name tarnished." Danielle's words were sharp and unapologetic, each one hitting its mark with precision.
Jessica, standing off to the side, suddenly felt overwhelmingly insignificant in the shadow of this formidable mother-in-law. She nearly wanted to cheer, ‘Danielle was formidably assertive, impressively commanding.’
Yet, it was a surprise encounter. After marrying Gabriel, her visits to The Walton residence had been infrequent, primarily to see Xavier. Jessica hardly ever crossed paths with her mother-in-law, their interactions being few and far between.
Jessica always thought her mother-in-law was an exceptionally aloof woman, often cold and distant, rarely engaging in conversation. She had convinced herself that a prestigious heiress like her mother-in-law would undoubtedly prefer a noble, gentle, and intellectually charming daughter-in-law, not someone from a modest background like herself.
Because of this belief, Jessica never bothered her mother-in-law unless it was absolutely necessary. Yet, unexpectedly, her mother-in-law had taken up her cause with such fiery support. It was quite a surprise.
Sometimes, you must believe in the idea of justice. Women like Diana needed to be put in their place by someone like her mother-in-law.
Diana clenched her hands, trying hard to explain, "Auntie Danielle, you're right to scold me. I've overstepped."
"At least you're not beyond hope, knowing you did wrong,” Danielle responded sarcastically.
"I just got back and heard about Xavier's birthday celebration being moved up. I wanted to get him a gift, and since Gabriel knows his tastes well, I dragged him along. Please don't blame Gabriel."
"It's supposed to be a day off. If he's not spending it with his wife but with another woman, I indeed blame him. Also..." Danielle pierced Diana with her sharp gaze, "I don't recall Dad inviting you. Don't bother picking out a gift; it won't be needed."
"Mom, stop. I was the one who invited her," Gabriel interjected, unable to hold back any longer.
"Shut up, Gabriel." Danielle silenced him with a stern look.
"Xavier's the one celebrating, not you. Since when can you make decisions on his behalf? Do you want to extend an invitation? Save it for your own, 80th birthday bash."
Diana's face went as pale as a sheet of paper, drained of all color.
Then, Danielle's expression softened to a warm smile. "The gifts Dad appreciates are collector's items, very pricey. The Bushes might have their modest fortune, but it's rather insignificant compared to the Waltons."
"Auntie, you worry too much. The Bush family might not be what it once was, but we can certainly afford such an expense," Diana replied.
"Really?" Danielle responded, with no hint of diplomacy, "I do believe the Bushes have some assets left despite their decline, but it seems Lillian is now the favored daughter.
"Your dancing days are over and your status isn't what it used to be in the Bush family. I'd wager you don’t have much spending money. Instead of wasting it, better save it for yourself.
"And you, how about that gift you're considering? If the Bushes don't find it worth reimbursing, won't you just be left out in the cold?
"Or perhaps, you expect us to be the fools who will foot the bill." Danielle's words were a revelation to Jessica.
They made her want to cheer, to roar with approval.
Diana had been holding back with all her might, but now she couldn't contain herself any longer. "Auntie, I've always spoken to you with respect because I cherish you, but what you've said has cut me deep."
"Even if the Bush family has fallen on hard times, even if I don't have a penny to my name, we're still better off than the Morgans. Jessica's family doesn't have two dimes to rub together, and she has to financially depend on the Waltons. What could she possibly use to buy a gift?"
