“You’re ever so thoughtful. I finished the entire soup, and my cough has gotten much better.”
Nodding, Hannah responded, “I’m glad you liked it. I’ll make it again for you.”
Ignored and slighted, Leah tightened her lips and said, “If you’re heading for divorce, why prolong the attachments? You’ve latched onto a fortune not yours for four years. Why continue this charade?”
Before Hannah could reply, Allison slammed her cane on the floor.
“For four years, Hannah has been nothing but dutiful and considerate.
She even learned to cook dumplings because you mentioned wanting them once. Are all her efforts wasted on you? Leah, how can you say that?”
Leah’s face turned ashen, but she dared not lash out at Allison.
Instead, she glared at Hannah.
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“She has a lowly background, no money, and even a prison record. Had you not been so insistent, there’s no way I’d let them marry. And for what? Four years and still no child.
Who would invest in a barren hen?”
Allison fixed her gaze on Leah and retorted, “What kind of nonsense are you spouting?”
Leah recoiled but clung to Eliana’s hand, mumbling, “I’m stating facts. Someone as stellar as Eliana is the only suitable match for Declan. I can guarantee that their offspring will continue the Edwards family’s legacy of excellence. Or else, imagine the disgrace if that woman were to birth a convict!
In the midst of Leah’s barrage, Hannah chose not to engage. She silently resolved to sever ties with the Edwards family as soon as the day was over.
Allison’s expression turned even grimmer. She scoffed, “A match? Hear me well. As long as I draw breath, the only wife of Declan’s will be Hannah.”
Just then, Declan appeared at the stairs.
“Grandma, what’s happening?”
Still furious, Allison directed her ire toward her grandson.
“So, you think some shameless woman can just waltz into the Edwards family by attaching herself to Declan? Think again. This is a respectable family. No place for shameless women.”
Declan’s face stiffened while Eliana looked at him, her eyes moist and sorrowful.
Noticing the tension, Hannah assisted Allison into her seat and offered her a glass of warm water.
“Allison, your cough hasn’t improved. Raising your voice won’t help.”
With a clenched fist, Declan loosened his grip and said, “Grandma, the one who has my heart has always been Eliana. Marrying Hannah was never my choice. A loveless marriage is cruel to both parties. A peaceful divorce, with proper compensation for Hannah, seems the best option.”
Allison snapped, “And what compensation? Is your time more precious than Hannah’s youth? What did she ever do wrong? She’s been nothing but devoted to you for four years. Even a block of iron would soften under her care, but you remain stubborn. And what about Eliana? She left you before, didn’t she? Hasn’t she caused you enough suffering?”
As Eliana stood, tears filled her eyes.