Chapter 549 Her "Ingratitude"
Yvette's voice trembled, barely audible as her spirits sank. She could clearly sense Albert's displeasure.
Behind her came the sound of movement at the liquor cabinet. Albert was going for a drink?
Beatrice also heard the noise and turned around, surprised. "Upset with you? Surely not. Wasn't everything fine when you left earlier?" She sighed. "Is Mr. Valdemar really having another drink? He just came from a cocktail party—why drink more now?"
Because they hadn't even started drinking at the party before she'd managed to anger him.
Yvette remained silent, wordlessly following Beatrice back to her room.
After showering, Yvette lay in bed, tossing and turning for what felt like hours, unable to sleep. Her mind kept replaying the evening's events.
Had she crossed a line?
He had been defending her, and she'd repaid him by warning him not to make enemies. The atmosphere between them had finally improved, only to be shattered by her "ingratitude."
The weight of self-reproach filled her chest. She rose from bed and returned to the living room, intending to explain herself.
But as she entered, she found Albert already asleep on the sofa. Yvette pressed her lips together, took a blanket from nearby, and gently draped it over him. With a soft sigh, she turned and retreated to her room.
After Cheryl finished her vegetarian meal, the elderly housekeeper Sandra had someone clear the barely-touched dishes, letting out an almost imperceptible sigh.
Having served the Valdemar Family for so many years, especially Cheryl, she had become like family. Cheryl was advancing in age—how could her health improve when she hardly ate?
"Mrs. Valdemar, you really should eat something," Sandra said gently.
Cheryl forced a faint smile. "I did eat. At my age, a little is enough."
"You're hoping Mr. Valdemar will come see you, aren't you?"
A flicker of sadness crossed Cheryl's eyes. "I'm the one who broke Albert's heart, after all."
The servant removed the meal, leaving only Cheryl and Sandra in the room. Sandra naturally began massaging Cheryl's legs.
"You were only trying to protect him, even if your methods were misguided," Sandra offered.
Cheryl sighed softly, then asked, "I heard they attended the family dinner a few days ago?"
"Yes," Sandra answered truthfully, not daring to hide anything. "There was a bit of a confrontation with Ms. Sabrina Valdemar at the party."
"Why?"
"She apparently disapproves of Yvette's ordinary background."
Cheryl frowned. "Sabrina. She always wanted to introduce Albert to that good-for-nothing niece of her in-laws. I shot that down. Now she's bitter seeing Albert with a doctor, and she's putting on this show for my benefit. She married into a worthless family herself, and now she's looking down on others?"
"Shall I invite Ms. Sabrina Valdemar for dinner?"
"Tell her to come tomorrow evening!" Cheryl commanded.
Sandra remained impassive. "I'll arrange it immediately."
Having settled that matter, Cheryl's face clouded with worry. "The anniversary of Hayden's passing is approaching. With all this family drama, will Albert even come?"
"Mr. Hayden Valdemar was always fondest of Mr. Albert Valdemar. Even when Mr. Albert Valdemar wasn't on speaking terms with anyone else, he would secretly send gifts for Mr. Hayden Valdemar's birthday every year. Mr. Albert Valdemar truly cared for him." Sandra considered for a moment. "If you're concerned, perhaps call Mrs. Yvette Valdemar. She's always been sensible, and Albert listens to her. I heard it was Mrs. Yvette Valdemar who convinced him to attend the recent gathering."
Cheryl thought of Yvette—a thoughtful, considerate girl. She had to admit she'd been selfish before, nearly doing something terrible for the sake of her own children.
"After how I treated her, would she even listen to me?" Cheryl wondered aloud.
"People are fundamentally good-hearted. You were desperate then. This could be an opportunity to mend fences with Mrs. Yvette—that wouldn't be such a bad thing."
"You're right," Cheryl gazed into the distance. "With my health as it is, I don't know how much longer I have. The Valdemar Family will eventually pass to Albert. If Yvette proves to be a kind-hearted woman, she could help manage family affairs and lighten Albert's burden."
That afternoon, the weather changed abruptly. Yvette, absorbed in her book, shivered as a cold draft swept through the room. Looking up, she saw dark storm clouds looming outside.
Rising to close the window, she silenced the howling wind and rain. In the sudden quiet, her phone vibrated with a soft buzz.
Yvette picked it up to find Cheryl's number displayed on the screen. Recalling their last unpleasant conversation, she felt reluctant to answer. But as Albert's wife, facing his family was her duty now—they were in this together.
Yvette's voice was polite but guarded when she answered.
On the other end, Cheryl paused before speaking. "Yvette, it's been a while since I called."
"Yes, it has." Yvette's lips moved, but she found herself at a loss for words, waiting silently for Cheryl to continue.
"You've been through a lot lately," Cheryl's voice was soft but sincere. "I'm rather embarrassed to be calling. I did things I shouldn't have."
For the matriarch of the Valdemar Family to apologize to her daughter-in-law left Yvette stunned. Still, remembering Cheryl's previous words, she couldn't bring herself to offer immediate forgiveness and remained silent.
"I've wanted to say this for some time, but couldn't find the courage. As a mother yourself, I think you can understand that desperate need to protect one's children." Cheryl explained, "When Albert married you and brought you home, did I ever look down on you because of your background? I loved whoever Albert loved, and I intended to cherish you. That's how I treated you then."
Remembering Cheryl's initial kindness brought a lump to Yvette's throat.
"Please, say no more. I remember it all," Yvette said softly.
"I'm not trying to claim credit. I just want you to understand my thinking back then."
"I understand."
"When you disappeared, Albert was beside himself. It broke my heart to see him that way. I kept hoping you'd be found." Cheryl's voice caught. "Then you returned, but you were married to David with children. What was I to think? They're both my grandsons. I couldn't bear to see brothers turn against each other, and for children to suddenly have a different father—it would have been devastating."
At this, Yvette finally spoke up. She could bear the stain on her own reputation, but her children's parentage was beyond reproach.
"Grandmother, both my children are Albert's," Yvette said, her voice tinged with hurt. "I was already pregnant when I disappeared, and by some miracle, the babies survived. David deceived me while I had amnesia, claiming I was his wife, so I assumed the children I carried were his. I never had relations with David after losing my memory. Once I recovered, I knew the children were Albert's." She took a deep breath. "David and I—we were never intimate."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
