The Ex and Her Riches

Asher’s face lost all color when Gwendolyn’s revelation struck him.

He found it unbelievable that Cedrick was willing to disregard his family’s reputation and interests to transfer everything he had over to Gwendolyn.

It’s so ironic that it feels like a bad joke.

“I’m sorry.”

An apology was all that he could eke out, for he knew that any further explanation was pointless.

Wiping away her tears, Gwendolyn felt as if she had lost all faith in Asher.

“Even if you weren’t behind those misdeeds, your tolerance of Evelyn’s misdeeds has allowed her to act with impunity. The way you protect her and cover up the truth was the reason I ended up in Fairlake when I was fifteen. There, I suffered for six years straight while living with the Wright family. The trauma that I experienced isn’t something that your trivial punishment can ever make up for!

“On top of Crane Bridge at Fairlake, she and Luke hired forty assassins to kill me. I had no choice but to jump into the freezing river to escape. Another time in Realm Bar, she and Uncle Hector bribed Charles to steal the S404 RNA virus from the lab so that they could infect me with it.

“Let’s not forget the numerous times she tried to sow discord between me and Cedrick. By advising Eloise, she almost succeeded in getting me raped by Sherman during Eloise’s birthday party. Yet, you bailed Eloise and Natasha out of prison, allowing them to ride roughshod on my life. All these incidents are the result of you and Dad indulging her, and I’m never going to forgive you for what you have done. Since you want the right of succession so much, I’ll give it to you as my way of repaying you for the care you have shown me throughout the years. But, from today onward, you and I are no longer siblings!”

The moment Gwendolyn was done with her outburst, she walked past Asher with her eyes brimming with hatred.

The latter, whose eyes had reddened, called out to Gwendolyn right before she opened the door to leave.

“I’m sorry, Kiddo. I didn’t expect my actions to have traumatized you to this extent. I know I don’t deserve to ask for your forgiveness. Instead, I’ll reflect upon my actions and do my best to make it up to you. As for Evelyn, you’re free to make her pay as long as you don’t kill her.”

hurt Gwendolyn more. Her grip on the doorknob tightened in response. “In the end, it’s clear that she’s more important to you. Despite me listing out all her crimes, you still choose to stand up

indebted to. I promised her that I would take care of Evelyn and ensure her safety. As for Dad, the fact that she’s his illegitimate child simply added to his guilt. Evelyn has a special place in his heart because I

who loved all his children. Unfortunately, he failed as a husband for loving three women in his

a choking voice, “Kiddo,

heart tightened abruptly, while

Asher was someone

she did something wrong, he would reprimand and punish her. However, his heart would break every time he did it, and

their relationship made him a stern mother figure to her,

loved so deeply beg for mercy on

her. “Don’t you dare call me Kiddo anymore! I don’t ever want to hear those words from

opened the door and

left alone in her old room, overwhelmed with

emerged from the room, Cedrick was

and tear streaks on her cheeks filled him with sympathy. Instead of saying anything, he simply opened

reciprocated by throwing herself into his arms and wrapping her hands around his waist. The sound of his steady heartbeat brought her a sense

suggested in a magnetic voice, “Are you tired? If it’s too much for you, let’s just head home

shook her head to indicate that

until I deal with those two b*tches—Lorelai

her. Instead, he tightened the grip on her hand as

her glistening eyes that she, too, had

She was unable to hold back her tears, so she cried even more. “Gwendolyn, I’m shocked to have just learned about how much you have suffered.

could clearly tell friend from foe. Sienna, her sister-in-law, had always treated her like her own sister and

all, as you were ignorant of the entire matter. You don’t have to