“How are you doing, dear? You look like you’ve lost a lot of weight. Have you not been eating well?” Old Voss asked once her eyes settled on Vanessa.
The old woman remembered her favorite granddaughter as a plump woman who looked properly well fed for her age. But now, she looked like something was sucking the life right out of her eyes and body.
“I can see your sharp collarbone,” she added, her weak voice filled with concern.
Vanessa’s hand went to her collarbone, quickly covering it with her shirt. Then she forced a smile on her lips. “It’s really nothing, Grandma. I’m fine. I’ve been fine.”
The woman didn’t believe her. She knew something was wrong but Vanessa wouldn’t tell her.
“Is everything going well at home? Is there a problem? Tell me,” the old woman urged, her eyes weak.
The doctor had specifically warned Vanessa not to tell her grandmother anything that would make her worry. Her weak heart couldn’t take any harsh news.
If Vanessa told her that her son had threatened her with her own life, forcing her to marry a mafia don for his own selfish goals, her heart would flip sideways, worsening her health.
Vanessa shook her head subtly, a small smile on her lips as she caressed the woman’s hand. “It’s nothing, Grandma.” She quickly forced herself to come up with an excuse for her weight loss. “I’ve been trying to audition for a few roles lately. You remember when I used to dream about being an actress? I want to try that out once again.”
Old Voss’s eyes gleamed immediately despite how weak and tired they were. “Really? You should go ahead and do that. You made my ears ring whenever you were little because of your dreams. Be an actress. Pursue your dreams.”
Vanessa’s lips paused for a moment, her head thinking.
This was supposed to be an excuse, but an idea had suddenly popped into her mind.
If she became an actress, she could earn enough money to pay for her grandmother’s hospital bills. If she was able to, her father wouldn’t have any hold on her anymore.
This was good.
She sighed, realizing she would be going against Noelle if she went into the entertainment industry since Noelle had a huge fandom in that industry.
A question suddenly rose in Vanessa’s mind. “Grandma, did you know about my inheritance? The one that grandfather left behind for me?”
“Of course, dear. Your grandfather gave you more than half of his property before he died. He instructed your father to hand it over to you once he was gone.” Then she paused, her eyebrows furrowing. “Why? Did your father not give you anything?”
Vanessa wanted to tell her grandmother the truth, but the doctor’s words rang in her ears. Find the original chapter at g.com.
She shook her head immediately. “He did. He transferred everything to me. I don’t even know why I was asking.” She laughed it off.
However, after hearing all her grandmother had said, she couldn’t help but feel rage course through her body like a harsh wave.
They’d taken everything her grandfather had left for her. Made her do things she didn’t want to do at all.
Her heart burned.
Her father never treated her like she belonged even when she shared the same blood as them.
All her life, they treated Noelle better.
Initially, she’d thought it was because Noelle was older and would carry the family’s name one day but now, she’d just discovered that her family was evil and she was going to make sure they regretted treating her in such a way.
At the Devereaux mansion…
Noelle was humming a song as she curled her hair when Tristan barged into the room, looking like a dark storm.
Noelle turned to him with concern plastered on her face.
“What’s wrong?” She asked, dropping the curling iron.
“I just don’t understand why Vanessa married Matteo even when I’d told her not to.”
“And why are you still worried about that?” Noelle snapped, unable to keep her sudden rage contained. A second ago, she’d thought there was something actually bothering him, but it turned out to be related to Vanessa in some way. “We’re married. You and I. Not Vanessa. She’s married to Matteo.”
“That’s exactly my point! She shouldn’t be married to him of all people!!” Tristan snapped back. “Don’t you understand?”
“You love Vanessa,” she confirmed.
Tristan stared at her with wide eyes as if he’d just been accused of taking drugs.
“You’re married to me and you still love Vanessa!!”
“What nonsense are you saying? I don’t love Vanessa. You’re the only one I love and that’s why I’m married to you, aren’t I?” Tristan pinched his temple in frustration. He needed fresh air. Coming to the bedroom had been a huge mistake.
He turned to leave but Noelle held him back, eyes already brimming with tears. “Are you sure you don’t love her?”
Tristan took a moment before he responded.
“I’ve told you this. You’re the only one I love. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have betrayed my brother by sleeping with his fiancé.” Then he cupped her face. “I’m just worried that Vanessa might do something to Matteo. We both betrayed her and she might take her anger out on my brother. I’m only worried.”
The ache in Noelle’s chest instantly vanished.
She’d been wrong.
Tristan never loved Vanessa.
He only cared about his brother.
Heaving a sigh of relief, she stood on her toes and planted a kiss on his lips.
“I know you can never betray me, Tristan,” she said.
“I would never,” Tristan assured her.
Then he hugged her close.
‘The Voss daughters are all idiots,’ he thought.
He needed to come up with a plan to bring Vanessa out of her marriage with Matteo, not because he was worried Vanessa would hurt Matteo, but because his pride and ego wouldn’t let him accept that Vanessa would throw what they had for years out the window just because of one betrayal.