Chapter 156
Christine’s shopping spree knew no bounds, dragging me through store after store. She mused that leaving her job enabled her to spoil herself after being a workhorse for four years.
“Hey, isn’t that the Patek Philippe woman?” she suddenly exclaimed, nodding toward a luxury boutique we were passing by.
I glanced over. “Yeah, that’s Margaret.”
There she was, modeling a handbag that cost over a brand–new car, likely contemplating the purchase. Bryant has always been overly generous with her.
I wasn’t particularly keen on watching the spectacle unfold, so I tried to pull Christine away, but she suddenly grabbed me, and we ducked behind a column!
Confused, I gave her a puzzled look.
“It’s your father–in–law, Albert!” she whispered in shock.”
“Albert?” I was surprised.
“Yeah, Albert is out shopping with the Patek Philippe woman!” Christine’s face lit up with the excitement reserved for juicy gossip.
“I don’t see the big deal,” I shrugged it off with a smile. “Margaret has always been the apple of Albert’s eye.”
Even Bryant couldn’t get a sliver of his father’s affection. It all went to Margaret.
Still puzzled, Christine peeked out for another look and turned back to me suspiciously. “I’ve never seen a stepdaughter and stepfather this close. They’re almost like real father and daughter.”
“Their bond might as well be,” I said, disinterested in delving further into the Ferguson family dynamics, except for Timothy, “Let’s just
go.”
But before we could make our escape, Margaret called out to us!
I tried to ignore her. Yet, she caught up, sizing me up. “You’re out of the hospital?”
“What’s it to you?” I retorted, annoyed.
She immediately turned to Albert, pouting, “Dad! Look how Jane’s treating me when I’m trying to be nice.”
Christine rolled her eyes as I pulled her behind me, only to hear Albert approach, putting on the air of an elder. “I hear you and Bryant are getting a divorce.”
“That’s right, next month,” I responded truthfully.
Albert couldn’t hide his glee at the news, urging. “Well then, you better hurry up with it!”
“Christine would love to speed things up if only your son were as eager!” Christine seemed to think Albert was rushing me to clear the way for Margaret, taunting him before launching into a sarcastic tirade, “It’s bizarre. What kind of father looks forward to his son’s divorce?”
Albert, not one to take things seriously, straightened up, “You little rascal, what nonsense are you spouting? If they can’t make it work, is that my fault? I only want them to find their happiness sooner rather than later.”
“You’ve been searching for so many years, jumping from one to the next…” Christine’s gaze shifted to Margaret, her lips curling into a smirk. “Now, you wouldn’t be setting your sights on your stepdaughter, would you?”
“What are you implying?” Margaret’s face turned red with rage, glaring at us before complaining to Albert, “Dad, look at her!” Enjoying the drama, Christine cheekily added, “You don’t call him Dad in bed, too, do you?”
The air was thick with tension as both their faces soured, and Christine, unable to contain her amusement, whisked me away to the grocery store.
Christine tossed snacks into the cart and mused, “What exactly is going on between Albert and the Patek Philippe woman?”
I shook my head. “I have no clue.”
“It’s not a typical stepfather–stepdaughter relationship.” Christine’s eyes suddenly sparkled with mischief. “Do you think they’re…”