Chapter 368
Could she blame Jennifer?
Jennifer, too, was a victim of circumstance, having lost her own beloved daughter. Who could fault her for not wanting to raise someone else’s child?
It seemed like no one was to blame in this situation.
Suddenly, Leanne felt a sense of release.
Regardless, she had grown up well, and that in itself was worth celebrating.
She looked up, shaking her head and replying, “It’s not your fault. You’ve had your share of hardships; you never had any obligation to take me in.”
Jennifer knew she hadn’t given her all to this foster daughter. Initially, it was out of reluctance and resentment, and Leanne, being a sensitive and perceptive child, picked up on the lack of affection. She didn’t throw tantrums or try to curry favor; instead, she quietly retreated into her own little world, never imposing herself where she wasn’t wanted.
As a result, their bond had remained superficial over the years.
Jennifer thought Leanne might hold some resentment, at least a little bitterness, but she was taken aback by her words.
For twenty years, Jennifer had bottled up so much, with no one to confide in, and those deep, dark secrets that couldn’t even be mentioned.
And now, this child, whom she had never truly cherished, told her, “You’ve been through a
lot.”
Tears unexpectedly welled up in Jennifer’s eyes, and she quickly turned her head away, but it was too late-the tears rolled down her cheeks.
Crying in front of her child was hardly dignified, so she tried to regain her composure, wiping her tears with her fingers, and attempted to change the subject, “The chicken soup in the kitchen…”
Seeing Jennifer cry, Leanne quickly handed her a tissue.
Clearly unsure of how to handle Jennifer’s tears, Leanne hesitated for a few seconds before gently patting her on the back, like comforting Mary.
“Don’t cry.”
Jennifer felt as if she was losing her composure entirely, although she wanted to maintain the dignified demeanor befitting the wife of the chairman of VectorVista Bank and a representative of the Richardson family’s grace and poise-never before had she shown such vulnerability in front of someone else.
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Chapter 368
She seldom cried, perhaps because it had been so long, it seemed she couldn’t stop now.
That afternoon, Curtis had been discussing some matters with Maddox and learned that Leanne had returned to the old family home. He had come specifically to pick her up.
Father and son arrived together, one following right behind the other. Upon entering and seeing Jennifer in tears, they both paused.
Curtis raised an eyebrow and glanced back at the door, half-joking, “Did the sun rise in the west this morning?”
Honestly, Leanne didn’t expect to trigger Jennifer’s tears, but to any onlooker, it appeared as though she had made Jennifer cry.
Jennifer quickly composed herself and looked up, “You’re back?”
Her eyes were puffy; surprise flickered across Maddox’s face as he turned to Leanne and asked in a stern voice, “What happened here, for her to cry like this?”
His high status made his displeasure all the more intimidating, making Leanne feel as if a guillotine hung over her.
Heaven knows, she didn’t have the power to upset Jennifer.
Curtis, ever the spectator in family dramas, clicked his tongue, “Trouble now, Dad’s mad at you.”
“I just…” Leanne started to explain.
Curtis spread his hands lazily towards her, teasing, “Come here, let your husb you.”
rotect
Leanne was speechless.
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