How to Destroy a Cheater Without Saying Goodbye novel Chapter 32

Loraine noticed the flicker of discomfort on Blanche's face as she realized her daughter-in-law had overheard her scolding Sheila. Still, as the matriarch of the Simmons family, Loraine wouldn't tolerate anyone questioning her decisions.

"Laney, this isn't your concern. You're not feeling well—go back to your room and rest," Loraine said, her tone softening a little as she addressed Blanche.

Blanche ignored her, waiting silently for Hedwig to speak.

Seeing Blanche's cold indifference and meeting the stubborn defiance in Hedwig's eyes, Loraine had no choice but to give in. Still, when she turned to Hedwig, her patience was wearing thin. "Stop bothering your sister-in-law. And don't you dare go whining to your brother about this."

"I'll handle it," Loraine continued curtly. "I'll make sure Vincent breaks things off with that woman. If you don't want to raise that child, I'll see to it that the problem is taken care of."

"And don't bring up divorce again."

The dismissive, almost patronizing way Loraine spoke only made Hedwig feel worse.

With tears welling in her eyes, Hedwig protested, "Mom, I'm your own daughter—not some ornament you left in the Yates family to hold your ground. I have the right to choose my own life. I want a divorce!"

"If you dare divorce Vincent, then you're no daughter of mine. Don't even think about coming back here to the Simmons family as a privileged heiress. We don't take back disgraced women," Loraine snapped, her anger making her voice tremble.

Hedwig never imagined she'd be trapped—unwelcome in her husband's house, yet unable to return to her own family.

Devastated, she burst into tears, but a fierce determination flared in her eyes. "Fine! From now on, I'm not your daughter, and Tia is no longer your granddaughter. You don't get to control our lives. I'm taking Tia and leaving."

"No matter what it costs, I will divorce Vincent."

Blanche understood too well the pain of betrayal by a husband. She took Hedwig's hand and looked at Loraine, her gaze turning icy. "Hedwig, come with me."

"I'm done with this house, too."

Loraine's heart skipped a beat. She opened her mouth to stop them—

But suddenly, a scream echoed from the hallway, followed by Tia's wailing.

As soon as he finished, the bodyguards' blows landed even harder, and Vincent howled in pain.

Loraine rushed forward, trying to intervene. "Eddy, if you keep this up, someone's going to die! The Yates family has a lot of influence in Eclipsed Haven, and the Simmons family's business over there depends on them. Teach him a lesson if you must, but that's enough."

Vincent, emboldened by Loraine's words, sneered, "If you don't let me go, my father will make you pay. So what if I had a mistress? Men do this all the time—it's just business. You're all hypocrites. Haven't you done the same?"

"Who are you to judge me?"

At those words, Blanche let go of Hedwig's hand.

So even Vincent, all the way in Eclipsed Haven, knew about Eddy's affair with Jeannette. Did Hedwig know too? Was she helping them keep the secret from her?

A cold wave of realization washed over Blanche.

In a daze, Hedwig slapped Vincent hard across the face. "It's bad enough you've done such disgusting things—but how dare you slander my brother?"