From a corner, a child’s soft voice broke the noise, “Mommy, Auntie and Uncle look perfect together! Their baby must be really pretty.”
The hall went silent in an instant, everyone exchanging uneasy looks.
Raline’s cheeks reddened and she hesitated before walking over to take my arm.
With disgust, she whispered, “Can’t you stand beside me properly? Do you have to embarrass me in front of everyone?”
I gave a faint smile. “I was just wondering, are you worried Hudson might get jealous and think I still care about you?”
Hearing that, Raline’s lips curved into a pleased smile. “At least you know how to behave and keep a proper distance.”
“Hudson cares about pure feelings. From now on, watch how you act when you see me. I won’t be your wife for the next three years. Keep your distance and don’t upset Hudson.”
I let out a small laugh, said nothing and went on to greet the guests warmly.
When everyone was done enjoying themselves, Raline released her hand and lightly brushed her dress.
“Hudson and I are leaving. The housekeeper made soup for my pregnancy. You can go back on your own.”
“I’ll be staying with Hudson to take care of the pregnancy. The company is in your hands. Be careful and don’t make trouble.”
Then she held onto Hudson’s arm and walked out. It was clear now, in her heart, Hudson was already her husband and the Pellegrini Family was her real home.
I walked into the night with a faint smile. “Detective Landers, one million to handle something for me, extra costs not included.”
I wondered if she could still go back home once her older sister returned. Just as she said, Raline stayed with Hudson for several days and never came back.
The private investigator sent me the photos right on time. Maybe because I stayed silent, Raline and Hannah simply moved into the Pellegrini house.
Raline even started openly calling Hudson the baby’s godfather. Everyone in Nashville’s high society was smart; they smiled knowingly and glanced at me with sympathy.
When Hannah’s birthday came, I glanced at Detective Landers’s message and sent him another five hundred thousand dollars.
At the birthday party, I invited all the top reporters in Nashville and every well-known anchor was there. There were many cameras set up around to make the place look like a film set.
Wearing a red dress, my mother-in-law looked at the cameras aimed at her and, for once, gave me a kind look.
“You may not be as capable as Hudson, but at least you know your place. The Leighton Family didn’t raise you for nothing.”
I nodded with a smile, agreeing again and again.
The guests around me looked on with even more dislike and disgust, while the Leighton relatives lifted their chins, staring down at me proudly.
“He’s got no backbone! His wife’s already sleeping with her brother-in-law and he’s still flattering his mother-in-law. What a shame to men!”
“What do you know? He’s trash, a beggar who grew up eating scraps. Without the Leighton Family, he wouldn’t even have food to eat. He’s fine being a fool.”
As gossip and mockery spread around me, I quietly greeted each guest. When the lucky hour came, Raline showed up holding Hudson’s arm.
The guests quickly gathered around, chatting and trying to please Hudson. Raline stayed close to him, not bothering to hide a thing.
With her head up, she enjoyed their praise, like she was already a billionaire’s wife. Her stomach was clearly round; she was already more than six months pregnant.
My mother-in-law hurried over too, warmly greeting her daughter and son-in-law, asking if she was tired and telling the servants to serve Hudson tea.
From start to finish, Hudson stayed calm and polite, his face showing no emotion at all.
Many times, I’ve asked myself this. Hudson, the richest man in the country, had married into the Leighton Family only to repay the favor of having his life saved.
But now that the debt was already cleared. Women wanting to marry him or have his child could line up across Nashville. So why, ignoring all the gossip, did he insist on being with his married sister-in-law?
While I was lost in thought, fireworks suddenly lit up the sky and the host’s loud voice filled the hall.
“Today is a day of celebration. Thank you all for coming to wish Ma’am Hannah a happy birthday.”
“Now, let’s welcome her daughter and son-in-law to come forward and give their blessings, wishing for her health and long life.”
As soon as those words were said, Raline smiled, held Hudson’s arm and stepped up to the stage.
“Mom, Hudson and I wish you good health, long life and endless wealth.” She then pulled Hudson down to kneel and offer respect.
Without a word, Hudson kept his eyes fixed on me. I smiled faintly and moved forward.
“Raline, you’ve got the wrong person. Your husband is standing right here.”
Raline’s face turned red and she angrily said, “My older sister isn’t here. I’m standing in for her to wish Mom a happy birthday with Hudson. Don’t interrupt.”
In my head, I counted quietly, one, two, three…
Just as Raline was about to hold Hudson’s arm again to offer her wishes, a loud voice came from the doorway. “Raline, let go of his hand! Who told you to hold my husband’s arm?”
All the guests turned toward the entrance. There stood Raline’s older sister, Audrey Leighton, who had once run away from home.
Right away, cameras started flashing, all focused on Audrey.
Audrey, angry and tense, rushed at Raline and slapped her hard “Raline, you dared to seduce your brother-in-law while I was gone! Do you have no shame?”
