Chapter 2 Mother in law.

Ellie left with a broken heart and a heavy mood.

Countless times, Ellie had thought about the day Martha would return and Richard would abandon her; she had mentally prepared herself to accept it, but when it came so suddenly, her heart still ached.

While driving home absent-mindedly, Ellie received a call from her mother-in-law – Minerva.

She wanted Ellie to buy her two late-night snacks.

Ellie was used to this kind of thing.

Minerva, like everyone else, hated Ellie because of her poor background. Over the past six years, Minerva had advised Richard to divorce Ellie more than a thousand times, and each time Richard refused, she resented Ellie even more, so she always found ways to torment and torment Ellie mentally.

One of Minerva's typical tricks was to make Ellie run back and forth in the middle of the night to buy something. And, of course, the places she specified were always very far from the Winthorpe mansion.

After nearly two hours, Ellie finally appeared at the Winthorpe mansion with two late-night snacks in her hands. She looked at her watch and sighed, sure that when she entered now, she would receive a fierce scolding from Minerva.

Ellie took a deep breath and entered the mansion to prepare herself for punishment.

Standing at the door, Ellie was surprised because the scene before her eyes was completely different from what she had imagined.

Minerva - who always had a harsh face when facing Ellie was smiling brightly like a gentlewoman. She held the hand of the girl sitting next to her; her eyes and voice did not hide the joy and longing; they looked like a close mother and daughter who had not seen each other for a long time.

Ellie's heart sank, standing rooted to the spot. The sound of their conversation reached her ears.

Minerva, "It's good to you back; I'm really sad without you here."

Martha's eyes were filled with tears, and she said sincerely, "Before coming here, I was very worried that you would be angry with me, but I still wanted to come and apologize to you. I've missed you so much over the years."

Minerva hugged Martha, patting her back like a gentle mother coaxing her child, "I'm not angry with you. In my heart, you're still my daughter-in-law."

Martha sobbed a little, then wiping her tears as she said regretfully, "You don't blame me; I'm so happy. If time could be turned back, I would choose to be your daughter-in-law; it's a pity I missed that wonderful thing. Don't call me daughter-in-law anymore; if Richard's wife hears it, she'll be very sad."

Mentioning Ellie, Minerva frowned, saying disgustedly, "She's just a stand-in; if she weren't Andrew's mother, she would have been kicked out of this house long ago. But now that you're back, Richard will divorce her to marry you."

Hearing Minerva's heartless words, Ellie trembled so much that she dropped the things in her hands.

The sound attracted Minerva and Martha's attention, and they turned their heads to look at her simultaneously. Minerva was startled. Martha looked panicked, but she already knew about Ellie's presence; she deliberately led the conversation so that Minerva could say cruel words to Ellie.

"When did you come back? I'm sorry; we didn't mean to talk about you. Don't be angry." Martha pretended to be embarrassed to explain, but she was delighted in her heart.

Minerva regained her composure and growled, "You dare to eavesdrop on our conversation and even dare to throw my food. Do you want to oppose me? You just came and caused trouble for me, and you're insulting. Quickly clean up that mess and leave; I don't want to see your face."

Minerva's shout echoed throughout the villa.

Ellie's body trembled; she didn't know if she was angry or sad.

"Mother, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I..." Ellie struggled to suppress her emotions and opened her mouth to explain, but Minerva interrupted her.

"Shut up! I don't want to hear any of your explanations. Go away!" Minerva shouted, angry and dignified.

The words that had yet to be said were stuck in Ellie's throat; the resentment surged like a raging wave in her heart, and she had to try hard to suppress the tears from flowing.

"What's going on?" a calm voice rang out. Richard walked down the stairs, his quiet eyes sweeping over everyone, and he felt so tired of these quarreling situations.

"Richard, take a look at your wife; today, she dared to show me an attitude; maybe later, she will dare to sit on my head," Minerva said sarcastically.

Richard looked at Ellie; her eyes were red, but her expression was still strong; this image made him a little moved and heartbroken make he wanted to protect her.

Ellie looked at Richard, wanting to explain, but the resentment had risen to her throat; if she opened her mouth now, she was afraid she would be unable to hold back and burst into tears, so she could only grit her teeth and look at him.

"Richard, let me explain to you." Martha saw that Richard's gaze towards Ellie was strange, and a sense of danger rose in her heart; she quickly grabbed Richard's arm, pulling his attention towards her.

Richard raised his hand to signal silence; he sighed and said, "It's late; let's leave everything for later."

Then he turned back to look at Ellie, his tone commanding, "You go home!"

"Richard!" Minerva gritted her teeth and cried out, she dissatisfied with Richard's handling of the matter.

Richard did not respond, still staring at Ellie, wanting her to leave quickly.

Ellie pursed her lips, carrying her wounded heart, resolutely turned around and left.

She was angry with Minerva but more disappointed with Richard. She expected him to stand by her side, to protect her, but he didn't do that; he didn't even want to know what was happening to her; he just wanted her to leave so their house could be quiet again.

...

In the following days, Ellie didn't see Richard, but still, people could tell her what he was doing and who he was with.

Those people were none other than Richard and Martha's friends. They informed her, but they weren't trying to help her but only wanted to humiliate her through that, laugh at her pain, and see how she would suffer and struggle.

As they expected, she was devastated when she saw the pictures of Richard with Martha. He went shopping with her, helped her move into the new house, fixed her light bulbs, and bought her flowers. Even with Ellie's son Andrew present, they took him to the amusement park and concerts and cooked together in Martha's new house, looking like a real family.

But no matter how heartbroken she was, Ellie did not show it to those who saw her as a joke. They hoped she would go crazy and find Richard to question him, but she kept quiet. They sent her provocative messages, insulted her, and scolded her for being a stand-in; she just read and did not respond to anything. Her life continued on its normal course, except that she no longer saw Richard.

Just like that, two weeks passed.

Today is Andrew's birthday, and like every year, Ellie makes a cake to give to her son. On the way to bring the birthday cake to Winthorpe mansion, she did not forget to stop by the toy store to buy a surprise gift for Andrew.