Genevieve frantically explained that she had made preparations to return, but now she had clashed with Magnus at such a critical moment, only increasing the distance between them. When Magnus had said those words before, she hadn’t taken him seriously, not believing he could be so heartless as to inspect her luggage. However, just because he didn’t, didn’t mean Aurora wouldn’t. Caught red-handed, Aurora looked at her with a mocking expression.
“Genevieve, ask yourself, has my father ever mistreated you during these years in our home? Look at the jewelry and ornaments in your suitcase-are they few? My father bought so many for you, yet you’re still not satisfied, even taking my mother’s belongings. This bracelet was a token of love my father gave to her, bearing my mother’s name. It was her favorite. When she was still alive, she would polish these pieces of jewelry every day. Now you even want to take these, aren’t you afraid my mother will come looking for you at night?” Aurora said in a low voice, frightening Genevieve so much that she fell to the ground, sweating profusely.
Seeing that bracelet, Magnus could recall Victoria’s shy face, such beautiful memories, now spoiled by this woman.
“I’ve changed my mind. You can’t take any of the jewelry! I bought them all; they are mine,” Magnus declared coldly. Genevieve became so agitated that she stomped her feet, “Magnus, how can you treat me like this? I’ve been with you for so many years, wasted so many years of my youth, and bore your children. Is this what I deserve?”
“I have been diligent as a father and husband all these years. I have provided you with generous material conditions, making you stand out among your peers. I’ve taken good care of you, never slacking for a day. Besides bearing two children, what else have you done? From their infancy, the children were raised by nannies; you spent your days shopping and visiting salons. What else do you do besides spending money?”
“I’ve been with you so long, and you never married me legally. Now you want to throw me out, and I must leave without anything. Magnus, do you have no conscience?” Genevieve began to bring up old grievances. She had said back then that she didn’t care about the status; she just wanted to be with him. But now, she seemed like a completely different person. Magnus watched her coldly, “Apart from not giving you a title, where have I failed? You know why we never married, and now you blame me?”
The more the couple argued, the happier Aurora became. Genevieve had only a few changes of clothes with her, clearly keeping a backup plan to return to the Montgomery family. Since she had driven her away, how could she possibly allow her to come back? Such wishful thinking. She had dug her own grave; even the heavens couldn’t stand it. After this, Magnus would surely be done with her, just waiting for the paternity test results, which would surely be interesting.
“Alright, I don’t want to make this ugly. Keep the jewelry and just go,” Magnus said, looking extremely weary. He had just seen Genevieve’s vile demeanor, a side of her he hardly recognized.
“Fine, take them all.”
Genevieve packed all the jewelry, and with her somewhat empty suitcase, she left in a huff.
“Dad, please say something. With such heavy rain, where do you expect Mom to go?”
“Dad, I’m begging you, don’t make Mom leave. You’ve been married for so many years, why must it end so ugly now? If others find out, won’t they laugh at us?”
“Let them laugh, or gossip, the decision is final. I simply cannot compromise and spend the rest of my life with her. Sorry, I just can’t do it.
Genevieve, I told you that you could leave with dignity on your own. Making a scene now won’t change the outcome; it just makes everyone look bad,” Magnus coldly replied.
“No need to say more, I’ll leave on my own.”
Genevieve stopped begging humbly because she knew the situation was beyond salvage. Particularly with Aurora present, if she didn’t leave, Aurora would surely use some trickery to force her out. Better to leave first, though it was a pity.
“Genevieve, after all, we’ve known each other for so long, let me call a cab for you,” Aurora approached with a sly smile.
“Don’t pretend to be kind!”
Genevieve dragged her suitcase to the foyer, and as she opened the door, a storm raged outside, a flash of lightning startling her.
The cold air hit her face as she stepped out. She had left this place many times before, but never with such a heavy heart as now. She had thought about leaving first and coming back once Magnus had calmed down, but now it seemed not so simple.
She felt that if she truly left this time, she would never have the chance to return-it would be a permanent goodbye.
“Mom, don’t go, what will we do without you?” Ivy was already in tears.
Genevieve was torn, pulled by her daughter. Who would want to leave a happy life unless it was absolutely necessary? She was leaving because she couldn’t change the situation.
“Dad…”
“If you utter one more word, you’ll leave with her. I won’t hold you back,” Magnus was tired of their crying. This command silenced the room.
Just moments ago, they were crying for Genevieve not to leave, but now, realizing it affected them too, they dared not speak.
If they were also expelled from the Montgomery family, they would lose not only their financial support but also the prestige of the family name. Who would want to give that up?
In the end, everyone was clinging to wealth and status, Genevieve felt chilled to the bone, “I’m leaving, take care of yourselves.”
“Mom, take care of yourself.”
Aurora watched the two, a cold smirk on her face. Genevieve had indeed raised two fine children, who scatter at the sign of trouble.
Fearing expulsion from the Montgomery family, they didn’t even have the courage to help Genevieve hail a cab, as if stepping out would mean they could never return.
Was this their attitude toward the mother who bore and raised them? How laughable this kinship was.
Genevieve, stepping out in high heels, realized she had forgotten her umbrella in a moment of spite. Having already declared her departure, she couldn’t face going back and had to brave it out.
Aurora watched as Ivy and Zachary gloomily returned to their rooms before saying to Magnus, “Dad, it’s late, and we’ve known Genevieve for so long, I’ll go send her off.”
“Aurora, you’re really too kind.”