NovelEnglishAfter dinner, Jelena called Aurelia to join her for a stroll through the garden.
"Are you and Leopold on the rocks because of me?" she asked.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"No way." Aurelia forced a smile.
Jelena wasn't buying it, "Con, you can't fool me. You two didn't exchange a single word during the meal." Aurelia let out a heavy sigh, "It's just that Leopold and | are from different worlds. He's the big-shot CEO, I'm just an entry-level staffer. He's from an old-money dynasty, I'm straight out of Main Street. He's always had the upper hand, never really considering my opinions, my feelings. The most | could do for you was to get him to drop his veto power. The rest is up to Fredric now." Jelena wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "Why go back to him, then? Why not choose Arnold? He's kinder, gentler, treats you better. Is it because of Kane?" A wistful smile crept across Aurelia's face, "What choice do | have? Who willingly picks the high road when the low road's an option? I'm no masochist." Jelena ruffled her hair playfully, "Feels like you're taking a dig at me. | picked the high road." "That's not the high road, and that's a path through hell," Aurelia stuck out her tongue. "Fredric and his wandering eye are never going to change. You sure you can handle that?" Jelena shrugged off the concern with a nonchalance, "How many in the socialite circle aren't on their second marriage? Those who grow old together are rare as hen's teeth. Only the Stirling family manage it, strict family rules and all." Aurelia pointed out, "Fredric has two kids. They might not take to you, let alone live in harmony. Stepmother is not an easy role to play.” Jelena was unfazed, "Fredric says after the divorce, Sheryl will still look after the kids. | won't live with them. He's hardly ever hanyway, the kids are used to it." Aurelia was speechless. To betray Sheryl was one thing, but to neglect his own children for his pleasures was the mark of a true cad.
"If a man doesn't care for his own kids and only seeks his own pleasure, isn't that the epitof scum?" she challenged.
Jelena appeared unfazed, "Aurelia, I've made up my mind. As long as he divorces, I'm with him. Stop trying to talkout of it." Sighing in resignation, Aurelia replied, "If you're set on it, then I've got nothing but best wishes for you. But Sheryl's no pushover.
She might react strongly, so be careful." "I'm aware. Don't worry," Jelena smiled faintly, almost hoping for Sheryl to make a move, and it would only strengthen Fredric's reasons for divorce.
On the other side of the garden, William and Kane were catching fireflies among the bushes.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWilliam had already trapped several in his mason jar. Back in Goldstone, Arnold used to catch fireflies with him in the backyard.
"Kane, are you going to vote against the family at the council meeting?" Kane nodded. Nina had asked for his help in stopping her parents’ divorce, and he had agreed.
He never supported the selfish acts of adults.
"Fredric is wrong," he said, "I can't side with him." William grimaced, "If it were me, | wouldn't care who's right or wrong. I'd help whoever's good to me. What's the point in helping someone who doesn't care about you, and hurting those who do?" Kane glanced at him, "You don't like Sheryl?" "lI don't," William admitted, "When Mommy and Uncle Leopold were divorcing, she couldn't wait for Mommy to leave the Stirling family. If you help her, Mommy, Jelena, Aunt Gilda, Grandpa, Grandma, Avery, and even Great-Grandparents will be disappointed.”
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