Chapter 380
When Audrey finished explaining, Lena slapped the armrest of the sofa. “That’s it? Leave it to me!”
To be honest, Audrey didn’t need Lena for the task. But she figured giving her something to focus on might help take her mind off things. Scrubbing floors until the varnish peeled wasn’t exactly a healthy outlet.
Once she had a mission, Lena’s energy changed completely. She ate lunch in high spirits and left the house looking more purposeful than she had in days.
Before heading out, she leaned down to kiss Audrey’s belly three times, one kiss for each baby.
That afternoon, Amelia dropped by. Yann’s birthday was coming up on the 27th.
It had been a long time since she’d celebrated it, and honestly, if it weren’t for Audrey, she probably wouldn’t have bothered this year either.
“I’ll cook myself,” Amelia said. “Let’s make it festive at home.”
Audrey had her doubts.
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Yann had grown up with housekeepers handling every meal. She couldn’t recall a single time he’d mentioned eating his mother’s cooking. ‘Does he even know what it tastes like?‘
But Amelia looked so excited, Audrey couldn’t bring herself to rain on the parade.
“Well then, lucky me to be part of Yanny’s big day.”
“Lucky him, you mean!” Amelia waved her hand. “If he didn’t have such a great wife, I wouldn’t bother with him at all. He’s been stiff and humorless since he was a kid. Unlike Owen, he always smiles, always polite to everyone.”
Everything Amelia said made Owen sound like the ideal son, warm, respectful, and thoughtful.
But Audrey could see it clearly. Deep down, Amelia still favored Yann. Every time she brought him up, there was pride in her eyes that she didn’t even try
to hide.
They were in the middle of chatting when Lucia showed up.
She had come to borrow money from Audrey. The things she’d sold off from the storage room weren’t enough to meet Kyle’s and Clayton’s endless
demands.
But the moment she saw Amelia sitting there, her plan derailed.
“Oh, you’re here too… If I’d known, I would’ve brought more,” she said, setting a box of aged Iberico ham on the table.
It was bought on credit, of course, but if she planned to ask for money, she had to at least make it look sincere. Once Audrey handed over the funds, she’d settle the bill. The store owner was an old family acquaintance. It would be fine.
“No worries. I’m staying here long–term and brought my own pantry,” Amelia said with a faint smile, lifting her chin.
Lucia followed her gaze to the table, where two lacquered boxes of imported delicacies were already on display. Hers suddenly felt cheap in comparison.
Amelia had never shown up empty–handed, and she instantly saw through Lucia’s intentions.
“By the way,” Amelia added casually, “Audrey mentioned you’ve been holding onto her money in case things go south for her.”
Bringing up the past like that made Lucia instantly uncomfortable. She shot a sidelong glare at Audrey.
‘Didn’t Logan already give her that check? Isn’t that enough to call it even? Why couldn’t she just tell Amelia the money’s already been handed over? Why
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Chapter 380
stir the pot?‘
“Yes,” Lucia replied tightly. “As a mother, you tend to think ahead for your daughter.”
“Right. So how long are you planning to hold onto it?” Amelia asked.
Lucia blinked. “What?”
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“I mean–are you planning to hold it for three to five years? Or until she and Yann get divorced?”
Lucia let out an awkward laugh. ‘Who knows?‘
Maybe Clayton was right. Maybe after childbirth, Audrey’s body would change in ways no one wanted to admit–stretch marks, tearing, maybe even worse. If that happened, maybe Yann would lose interest. It could happen.
Then again, even if things soured, that didn’t mean they’d actually divorce…
Just as she was about to give a non–answer, a thought struck her. “That money’s already been given to Audrey.”
She couldn’t afford to dig her own grave.
“When?” Amelia asked.
“The day we went purse shopping.”
“Who gave it?”
“Logan…”
Amelia nodded. “That was a gift from the father–in–law. But you? You hold the titles of both stepmother–in–law and birth mother. Even if you don’t give two separate gifts, shouldn’t you at least give something?”
Lucia had come to ask for money, and now the conversation had twisted into her needing to give some?
“Oh, come on. We’re family. Why split hairs?” She wiped the sweat on her brow.
“Exactly. We’re family,” Amelia said, still smiling.
Lucia finally felt a sliver of relief. She picked up the coffee the housekeeper had poured for her, ready to take a sip.
But then Amelia added, “You say you’re holding Audrey’s money to protect her, but have you ever thought about protecting yourself?”
Lucia nearly choked on the coffee, coughing as her mind scrambled to catch up.
“Think about it,” Amelia said. “Audrey’s giving birth to heirs for the Winifred family. Even if her marriage to Yann falls apart, the children will still carry the Winifred name.
“But you? After you married Logan, did he set aside anything for you? You two don’t have kids together. His entire estate will go to his grandchildren. What exactly are you counting on?”
Lucia gripped the cup tightly.
Her biggest fear was Logan and Amelia getting back together.
And from the sound of it, Amelia wasn’t planning to remarry, but that didn’t mean Logan wouldn’t lavish her with gifts. If he was still chasing her, he’d give her whatever she wanted.
Lucia’s complexion turned ashen. She glanced sideways at Audrey. ‘Does she know something I don’t?‘
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Audrey adjusted her position on the couch, making herself more comfortable, “Since I’m the one managing the household funds now, I’ll set aside a separate allowance for you,” she said calmly. “When you need it, I’ll give it to you.”
Lucia slammed the cup down. Her scalp felt like it was about to burst with rage. ‘Why? What gives her the right? Who does she think she is, managing my
money?‘
“I’m Logan’s wife. What, I’m not allowed to have a social life? I don’t get a dime of respect every month, and now she wants to control my spending too? If people heard about this, they’d think it was a joke.”
“Respect?” Amelia let out a sharp laugh, her gaze sweeping Lucia from head to toe. “You fought tooth and nail for custody, only to throw Audrey right back to her father.
“You gave birth to her, sure, but you were never a mother to her. What makes you think she owes you anything now?”
Then, after a brief pause, she added, “Though I don’t have much ground to stand on either. I wasn’t much of a mother to Yann. But I’ve given him all my shares in Darkshell International. What exactly have you given to Audrey?”
Lucia froze. ‘What did I ever give her? A broken home and a wrecked credit score?‘
Amelia didn’t let up. Her tone made it crystal clear that Lucia had abandoned her daughter once, and Audrey still let her back in. That was mercy. She should be grateful. But instead of making up for it, she was still looking to take advantage?
If word got out, it wouldn’t be Audrey who got blamed. It would be Lucia who’d be mocked for shamelessly squeezing her daughter dry.
She walked out of Hillcrest Gardens empty–handed and humiliated. As she reached for the aged Iberico ham she’d brought, thinking at least she could take it back, Sylvie snatched it up first. “Audrey will love this. Thank you, Mrs. Winifred.”
Lucia’s head buzzed. She wanted to strangle Sylvie with her glare, but Sylvie just smiled and headed to the kitchen.
Once she was gone, Amelia turned toward the kitchen and leaned in closer to Audrey. “She’s got spirit,” she said.
“Mhm,” Audrey agreed. ‘Quick with her mouth, sharp–eyed, and gutsy when it matters. Definitely worth a rev
Lucia hadn’t even made it to the city center when her phone rang. It was Marla, ready to schedule a tour of the property.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
