Chapter 139

Richard had spent two agonizing years hoping Isabella would eventually return his love, but beyond gifting him a daughter, she never showed him any affection.

As Evelyn grew older and Isabella's health declined, the painful truth dawned on him - she'd only conceived a child knowing her time was limited.

This was her twisted way of making amends. She'd deceived him completely, making him fall desperately in love, only to resent her even in death.

She took her secrets to the grave.

With each passing year, Evelyn's resemblance to Isabella intensified, reopening Richard's wounds.

Though Richard had brought Laura and Vivian into their home, showering attention on Vivian, he still cared for Evelyn. He simply couldn't bear the constant reminder of Isabella.

Evelyn sat slumped on the sofa, face buried in trembling hands, her complexion ghostly pale.

All these years, she'd believed her father had destroyed their family through infidelity. Her mother's kindness had only deepened the mystery of her unhappiness.

She'd assumed her mother's illness and eventual death stemmed from heartbreak over her father's betrayal.

But why? Why would two people without love create a family together?

She'd never truly belonged to a happy family. Without Laura and Vivian's intrusion, without Isabella's untimely death, she might have known parental love.

Why did everything shatter?

"Zoe, whatever you learn about the past, don't resent your mother. She adored you." Edmund's words echoed, but Evelyn spiraled into darkness. The perfect family she'd imagined was nothing but illusion.

Meanwhile, Sophia treated Liam and Daisy to dinner at an exclusive Michelin-starred restaurant, wanting to celebrate their rising fame before their schedules became overwhelming.

"Keep your heads down," Sophia fretted, eyes darting around the dining room. "You're public figures now."

The children wore oversized sunglasses obscuring half their faces.

"Relax, we're just having dinner," Daisy chirped, happily devouring her meal.

Liam sipped his juice quietly, then froze as a familiar figure approached their table.

His expression darkened instantly.

Vivian had arrived at the restaurant in poor spirits, which plummeted further when she spotted the two children.

Those distinctive sunglasses couldn't hide their identities - the very brats responsible for her expulsion from the Goldmann estate.

Finally, her chance for revenge had come.

"Such riffraff shouldn't be allowed in fine establishments," Vivian sneered.

Sophia's head snapped up at the venomous voice.

Recognizing Vivian, she rose with a mocking smile. "If it isn't the Vanderbilt family's disappointing spare."

Vivian's face contorted with rage. "Who are you calling a spare?"

"Whoever answered the question," Sophia shrugged, feigning innocence.