Chapter 817 Badmouth
Brenda took a sip of warm water to soothe her throat.
In a low, gentle voice, she said, "I'm fine, just need to rest for a few more days."
"Brenda, I think you're clearly suffering from a heavy heart," Ruby said softly, "We're family, also friends, we've known each other for decades, and we're closer than anyone else. What you keep on yourself will only make you sicker, just tell me."
Before Ivan's father passed away, Brenda and Ruby had a good relationship.
But after Brenda's husband had an accident and her two sons started hating each other, Brenda was occupied by these issues, and her relationship with Ruby gradually became distant. Especially with these family matters, she couldn't talk to anyone about them.
Brenda shook her head, "I'm really fine, just need a few more days."
"Is it because Haley upset you?" Ruby lowered her voice and said, "She didn't dare to confront Ivan who seemed to cheat on her, so she deliberately took it out on you?"
"That's not true," Brenda said calmly, "Haley is fine. My illness has nothing to do with her."
This was emotional distress.
With Ivan and Martin tearing each other apart, both of them gunning for the other's throat, it was enough to drive mother mad.
Brenda felt isolated, trapped on an island of her own, confronting a constant, looming fear alone.
"Don't bother defending Haley," Ruby continued, "She's not the easiest person to get along with. She comes from the Deross family, but now they're bankrupt. Her sister's in prison and gone mad, and Haley hasn't even bothered to check in. I'd say the Deross family raised a real ungrateful person."
News of the Deross family's downfall had spread through certain circles in Watertown. Since Haley was part of the Deross family and Ivan's wife, Ruby had heard plenty of unflattering comments about her from high society.
Ruby spared Brenda the harsher words she'd heard; she didn't want to add to her distress.
"Remember when Ivan had that affair? Haley made such a scene that the Winston family became the laughingstock for a while," Ruby added. "She doesn't strike me as particularly kind-hearted. You should warn Ivan to protect the Winston family's assets. We don't want Haley taking advantage of the situation."
Brenda sighed. "My illness really has nothing to do with Haley."
Even though Ruby's words weren't entirely accurate, Brenda could sense that Ruby genuinely wanted to help lift her spirits.
The two women chatted occasionally.
Meanwhile, Haley brewed two cups of coffee and called out, "Keith, Todd, can you take these up to your grandmother?"
Owen dashed over. "Mommy, I'll take them!"
"The coffee is hot, so maybe it's better if you don't," Haley said, handing the cups to Keith and Todd. These two were careful and precise; they wouldn't spill.
Owen stuck out his tongue. "Then I'll go up with Keith and Todd to check on Grandma."
Angela put down her toy. "I want to go upstairs too."
Haley laughed and shook her head, then turned back to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
The four children made their way upstairs. As they approached Brenda's room, they overheard some disjointed conversation from inside.
"She's from the Deross family, and if they don't care about her, why would she care about the Winston family?
"She made such a fuss over something so minor, and now the Winston family is the subject of ridicule."
The children's faces darkened when they heard Ruby's words.
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