Madam Shaw had long been suspecting the fortune teller.
How could the person who could prevent Julian’s misfortune coincidentally be Susan? How could Julian suddenly and randomly just fall in love with someone?
There had to be something she did not know.
The fortune teller’s deception must have been planned by Julian. He must have come up with all this foreboding and disaster previously.
He had just wanted to marry Susan officially and be open about it.
When he met Madam Shaw’s gleaming gaze, Julian’s lips parted to deny this but the words did not leave his mouth ultimately.
“Oh, Julian, you liked her and you stubbornly wanted to marry her. I can understand that.” Madam Shaw looked at Julian. “But you’re a man. You should be aware that other than romance, there are many more things in life that you must take on, like your duties and family! I push you, yes. I’ve been pushing you, but everything I’ve done was for your own good. Could you not live without a woman? What about the responsibilities you shoulder? Are you disregarding them?
“You must listen to me this time! Leave this woman. You’ll suffer now, but the pain will be temporary. You can find another woman and have more children. This is your duty. You must bear it. Do you understand?”
Madam Shaw looked serious and grim.
Julian spoke with difficulty. “But mom, this isn’t Susie’s fault. She…”
“Julian, you’re still siding with her!” Madam Shaw grew even more furious. “I’ve said what I needed to, both good and bad. This is the last thing I have to say. Either you will divorce Susan Shelby, or I’ll die right in front of you. Intentionally or not, Chessie’s the one who poisoned me! Say, if I disclose this to the public, will Chessie face any backlash?”
“Mom, are you threatening me?” Julian looked at Madam Shaw in shock. “Chessie’s your biological granddaughter!”
“My biological granddaughter? I don’t have a grandchild like her.” Madam Shaw shook in rage once she recalled how close she had gotten to death. “Julian, I’ve said what I want. Decide! Divorce her, or watch as I die!”
Madam Shaw’s gaze brimmed with determination.
“Mom…” Julian felt his heart shudder.
He had to choose between his beloved and his family. Why must he be forced to make such a choice?
“You can’t pick, can you?” Madam Shaw ran into the wall while Julian was still caught in this dilemma.
“Mom!” Startled, Julian rushed to hold her.
The blow was forceful. Madam Shaw’s head bruised until it became red at the collision. She had just gotten the toxins out of her system and was currently weak heal-wise. Due to the emotional rollercoaster she had been through and the wall banging, she was now pale as a sheet besides also having a glaring red spot on her forehead.
“Mom, what are you doing?” Julian fretted.
Madam Shaw turned away from him. “Make your decision. If you won’t leave that b*tch, you can stop me this time, but there’ll always be a next time. I was poisoned with arsenic. My health will probably remain weak after this. Instead of living in pain, I might as well just die.”
As he took in how headstrong Madam Shaw was, Julian bit his lower lip.
He returned home right afterward.
After crying for the biggest part of the day, Chessie had fallen asleep and had been tucked in by Susan. The latter stayed by her bed, watching her with heartache and tenderness.
“Susie.” Julian softened his tone when he saw the scene.
Susan pressed her lips together. After tucking the blanket around Chessie carefully, she closed the door and walked out of the room with Julian.
“How is she?” Susan asked.
Julian widened his eyes slightly. She? Susan was no longer willing to call Madam Shaw mom?
It was just a change in the way she addressed her, but Julian realized the significance behind it. He did not point this out explicitly, merely answering in a soft voice instead, “She fell asleep. Susie, mom almost died. It’s been a struggle to keep her alive, and she knows that she’ll be weaker in the future. That’s why she got emotional. You…”
“I know.” Susan looked up and met Julian’s eyes calmly. “Do you think I poisoned her too?”
“How’s that possible?” Julian immediately replied without hesitation.
His swift response put some life back in Susan’s expression. She said in a low tone, “Julian, everyone has parents and family in this world. Madam Shaw’s your mother, and I should be kind to her, but have you thought that I have a family too? How will my family feel when they find out that I’m being suspected like that?”
Julian wanted to say something, but Susan continued speaking. “Besides, I reckon that I’ve done my best with her. You know very well who was to blame for what happened in the past, but she wouldn’t give in. I’m the one who relented first in the end. I picked up massaging and I tried pleasing her. I’ve done all this because I love you, but your mother’s heart is probably made of steel and stone. I’ve done everything I could, but she doesn’t even have the slightest sliver of trust in me. Julian, what else do you want me to do?”
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