Chapter 114 Showing Affection on the Surface
"Hey Gregory, I heard you got married! I missed it, so here's a gift for you and Abigail." Stephen handed over a gift box, but his eyes were on Gregory's arms.
Stephen had watched Abigail grow up and knew all about Roman's actions. He felt bad for her.
Gregory accepted the gift with a cold glance and then picked up Abigail. "Thanks, Stephen. If there's nothing else, we're leaving."
"Gregory," Stephen called out.
Gregory paused and turned slowly. "Something else?"
Despite being brothers, the age gap made Stephen and Gregory distant. Gregory had always been a loner, and even Stephen couldn't get close.
Facing Gregory's cold stare, Stephen felt helpless. "I'm apologizing to Abigail onRoman's behalf. Treat her well; she's been through a lot."
"I know," Gregory replied, then left with the sleeping Abigail.
Stephen watched him leave, sighing deeply.
In the hotel lobby, only Elaine and Stephen remained. Dropping her act, Elaine said, "Why apologize? It's not Roman's fault. Abigail couldn't make him love her."
Stephen shot her a cold look. "Do you really think that? Then why did you go to such lengths to get rid of my children?"
Elaine's face twisted, panic flashing in her eyes. "You..."
'When did Stephen find out?' she wondered.
Stephen looked at her with disgust. "Did you think I didn't know what you did?"
Elaine, flustered, insisted, "I don't know what you're talking about!"
Stephen said, "I promised you'd always be my wife. No matter how many lovers I had, that wouldn't change. Why did you hurt them?"
Elaine sneered. "Why? Stephen, do you really have the nerve to ask? Those women flaunted themselves in front of me. Should I have done nothing and let their illegitimate kids take over?"
Stephen rubbed his temples, looking tired. "You never trusted me."
Elaine retorted, "How could I? You never loved me. You married me for Michelle. Even Roman was conceived because I used a love potion on you!"
For years, she had pretended to have a perfect marriage, making everyone envy her.
No one knew her pain—the man she loved never loved her in return. She couldn't even measure up to a married and deceased Michelle!
Hearing Michelle's name, Stephen lost it.
Veins bulging, he shouted, "Enough! You don't deserve to say her name!"
Elaine, furious, threw the gift box to the ground. "I just did! Michelle was shameless, and her daughter is no better, getting involved with men so young..."
Before she could finish, a sharp slap echoed.
Elaine's voice stopped abruptly.
Her cheek stung, and her eyes were wide with disbelief. "Stephen, you hit me? How dare you?"
Stephen was equally shocked, staring at his hand with guilt flashing in his eyes.
He took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "I've told you many times that my relationship with Michelle wasn't what you think. Why don't you believe me?"
Elaine sneered. "Not what I think? Then what is it? Don't forget why you married me in the first place!"
Stephen looked at her with disappointment and shook his head. "If that's what you believe, I have nothing more to say. I shouldn't have come back."
With that, he turned and left without looking back.
Watching him leave, Elaine couldn't hold back and burst into tears.
The banquet was a success, and she received countless envious glances, but only she knew her pain.
Everyone thought Stephen, a man with many lovers, truly loved Elaine, but that was far from the truth.
Stephen had agreed to marry her because she had threatened him.
For a long time after their marriage, Stephen refused to be intimate with her. Unable to endure this any longer, she bought a love potion and added it to Stephen's drink. They eventually had a physical relationship, resulting in her becoming pregnant with Roman.
She thought having Roman would make Stephen see her worth and fall in love with her.
But she was wrong.
Stephen never forgot Michelle!
One night, Elaine got up for water and noticed the study light was on. She found Stephen staring at Michelle's photo. The sight deeply hurt Elaine, and she rushed over, tearing the photo to pieces.
Stephen was furious, and they had a big fight.
Since then, he had become even more reluctant to come home. Only in front of others did Stephen pretend to be affectionate with her.
Thus, she loathed Michelle. Even though Michelle was dead, her hatred remained. If it hadn't been for Michelle, her marriage wouldn't be in shambles!
Her dislike for Abigail also stemmed from her hatred for Michelle, as Abigail resembled Michelle so closely—especially those eyes.
Elaine closed her eyes in pain, tears streaming down her face.
Roman returned after sending Jessica off and saw this.
His eyes widened, and he quickly stepped forward to help Elaine. "Mom, what happened? Why are you crying?"
Hearing Roman's voice, Elaine looked up. "Roman, you're all I have!"
Roman didn't know what had happened and chuckled. "Mom, what are you talking about? You have me, Dad, Olivia, and Grandma."
Elaine shook her head lightly and smiled bitterly without saying anything.
She didn't want to tell Roman about these things. She didn't want him to know that the affectionate relationship between her and Stephen was merely a facade or that she had always been the one maintaining the marriage unilaterally.
She also didn't want him to know that Stephen's indifference toward him over the years wasn't due to Roman's inadequacy, but rather because he was never wanted in the first place
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