Chapter 44

Vivian Bennett remembered it clearly.

That year she had just arrived in Seattle to seek refuge with her cousin.

She witnessed her cousin’s mother-in-law domineering the household.

The old woman stood with her hands on her hips, arrogant and overbearing.

She treated Grace like a servant.

Fetching tea and water.

Massaging her shoulders and back.

The slightest dissatisfaction would provoke a torrent of abuse.

It was as if Grace wasn’t their properly married daughter-in-law.

But a purchased slave.

“What about Jason? Didn’t he do anything?” Vivian couldn’t help but ask.

Grace Harper’s lips curved into a bitter smile.

“Him?”

“He always takes his mother’s side.”

“In his heart, his parents are always right.”

“What am I?”

“Just an outsider in the Harper family.”

After all these years of marriage.

She had long seen her husband Jason Harper’s true nature.

The so-called filial son.

Was nothing but a mama’s boy who couldn’t tell right from wrong.

When her in-laws gave her a hard time.

Jason never stood up for her.

Instead, he would join in criticizing her.

Vivian recalled the days she lived at her cousin’s house.

Jason obeyed his parents unconditionally.

He ordered his wife around arrogantly.

She saw all the grievances her cousin endured.

“Cousin, you’ve had it so hard.” Vivian held her hand worriesly.

Grace’s eyes reddened.

“Thank goodness I have you to listen to all this.”

“Before you came to Seattle.”

“I didn’t even have anyone to talk to.”

Her own family believed that a married daughter was like spilled water.

Suffering in her husband’s family was to be expected.

She should just endure it.

There was no need to complain to her birth family.

It wasn’t until Vivian appeared.

That she finally had someone to confide in.

Vivian held tightly her cousin.

“From now on, I am your family.”

“If they bully you again, I won’t stand for it.”

After her mother passed away.

Her grandmother was advanced in years.

Her father had long started a new family.

Her cousin was her only remaining relative.

When she had nowhere to turn and came to Seattle.

It was her cousin who took her in despite pressure from her in-laws.

She would always remember this kindness.

“Vivian......”

Grace suddenly loosened her embrace.

Her gaze fell on Vivian’s neck.

Her expression changed abruptly.

“What’s this on your neck......”

Vivian touched her neck.

“What is it?”

Grace’s eyes became complicated.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

That ambiguous red mark.

She knew all too well.