Skyler led Kimberly through the crowd and stopped in front of Dorothea. His voice was full of excitement."Mom, Kimmy's back."
Dorothea frowned, her gaze sharp as it landed on Kimberly. "You're already married. Why did you suddenly come back?"
Kimberly's lips trembled, and tears immediately rolled down her cheeks. "Ma'am, everything that happened before was my fault. I'm sorry."
Skyler's heart ached the moment he saw her cry. He pulled her into his arms without hesitation. "Mom, Kimmy's divorced now. Her ex-husband was abusive, a complete monster! Everything that happened in the past is over. I don't care about that anymore, and neither should you."
Dorothea had always known how much Skyler cared for Kimberly, but being scolded by him in front of so many people still made her feel humiliated. She turned and left without another word.
Then, Skyler's and Kimberly's eyes turned to Jeanette.
Skyler did not seem to feel the need to explain anything to her. He simply said, "Kimmy just got back and doesn't have a place to stay. Go home and get the room ready."
That usual commanding tone caught Jeanette off guard. She blurted out, "Ms. Affleck is moving into our home?"
Skyler raised a brow like it was obvious. "Of course. Where else would she go?"
Isadora let out a snort of laughter from the side. "Did you hear that? 'Our home'? She really thinks she's the lady of the Weisberg residence."
Laughter rippled around them, and Jeanette felt an overwhelming sense of isolation.
Three years ago, after the accident, Skyler spiraled and drank himself into oblivion day after day. When his house accidentally caught fire, Jeanette ran in without hesitation, carrying him out through the smoke and flames.
However, she was hit in the head by a falling light fixture and spent a month in the hospital. When she woke up, Skyler had been sitting at her bedside. He had asked her to marry him.
He bought this house as their marital home, promising it would be their future together. But now, as soon as Kimberly returned, she was moving directly into her marital home.
While Jeanette stood there in stunned silence, Kimberly gave Skyler a pitiful look. She mumbled, "Skye, does Ms. Schafer not want me in your house? If it makes her uncomfortable, I can just stay at a hotel. I don't want to cause trouble."
"Absolutely not. Hotels are full of strangers. It's not safe!" Skyler responded firmly, then turned to Jeanette with a stern look. "Nettie, she's only staying for a while. Don't be so petty."
Jeanette suddenly smiled. "You're right. I'm being petty. I'll head home now and tidy things up. You two enjoy yourselves."
She turned without waiting for a response, walking out of the ballroom filled with mocking laughter and cruel stares.
It was just a house, nothing worth clinging to. After all, sooner or later, it would belong to Kimberly anyway.
Back at the now quiet, empty house, Jeanette packed up the sunlit bedroom she had lived in for three years. She had always lived frugally, and Skyler had never once bought her anything.
So, even after all that time, her belongings barely filled a single suitcase. It was almost a relief since it was easier to walk away when you were not carrying much.
Just as she finished packing, her phone buzzed. Someone had uploaded a video to social media.
It was a clip from the party, and Skyler and Kimberly stood by the champagne tower, sipping from each other's glasses. They gazed at each other lovingly, looking like a perfect couple made for each other.
In the background, someone shouted, "Kiss! Kiss!"
Jeanette quickly turned it off, unable to watch anymore.
Not long after, Skyler and Kimberly returned home, both reeking of alcohol. When Skyler saw that Jeanette had already given up her bedroom for Kimberly, he looked pleased.
Once Kimberly went upstairs to shower, Skyler did something rare.
He actually sat beside Jeanette and even reached out to pat her head. "Nettie, I knew you'd understand. You always do."
Jeanette leaned away, just out of his reach. His hand froze awkwardly in mid-air, and his eyes darkened slightly. He muttered, "I told you already. Kimmy's just staying here for a bit."
"It's fine. Ms. Affleck can stay as long as she wants," Jeanette replied as she handed him a pile of documents.
"My former hospital is requesting some medical equipment. Can you take a look? Maybe Weisberg Corp could help with a donation?"
Skyler took the folder, laughing under his breath. "So, is this the price for letting Kimmy move in?"
Jeanette did not respond. Her eyes remained on the folder, nerves quietly building.
Skyler did not even read it. He signed everything without a glance, thinking it was her way of bargaining for some compensation for Kimberly moving into the marital home.
Naturally, he did not notice the divorce papers at the bottom of the pile.
Back in her room, Jeannette pulled out the signed papers and stared at his name at the bottom, not knowing how to feel.
Maybe she should cry because her three years of love and loyalty still led to nothing, or she could laugh because, for the first time in three years, she was finally walking away and starting over.
