Chapter 245

'People like Susan who tear apart families are despicable.

'Women like her deserve to be struck by a car the moment they step outside,' Grace thought bitterly, her heart consumed by malice at the mere mention of Susan's name.

Four years ago, her relationship with Caleb was ordinary, but for the sake of the family's interests, he still accepted her as his fiancée. However, after he met Susan, he broke up with her in three days.

Of course, Grace didn't agree and caused a scene, refusing to break up and getting involved for several months. Later, she found Susan and revealed her status as his fiancée, forcing them to break up.

But after Susan left, Caleb drank heavily every night and refused to reconcile with Grace. It was only when Grace discovered she was pregnant that Caleb agreed to marry her and made her go through years of neglected days.

Four years ago, she was able to make Susan leave, and four years later, it was even more impossible for other women to intervene since they had built a family.

Caleb's mood was already very poor because of Susan's situation, and with Grace causing such a fuss, his face became even darker. He angrily said, "Whether or not I have a mistress has nothing to do with you."

"I am your wife, don't I have the right to manage you?"

"Caleb, are you admitting to cheating now?

"You cheated and yet you're so proud. Have you no shame?" Grace went crazy and smashed a vase.

Caleb grabbed her wrist. "Keep your voice down."

"What? Are you afraid your daughter will find out about your affair? You don't even dare to admit the things you've done?" Grace became even angrier.

"Shut up!"

"I won't! Caleb, what have you done to me these past few years? I've had enough!" Grace let out all the pent-up anger. "Which slut has captivated you?"

"You..."

"Daddy, mommy, can you stop fighting?" Candy came in, hugging her doll and fearfully rushing into Caleb's arms.

Caleb quickly hugged Candy affectionately to calm her down. "Candy, we didn't fight." He gave Grace a warning look, but she didn't stop.

"Did I say something wrong?

"Caleb, I didn't accuse you wrongly. What? You can't tell Candy?"

"Grace, that's enough."

"No, compared to the suffering I've gone through these years, this is barely enough," Grace yelled even louder. Her emotions were out of control.

"Mommy, don't scold Daddy..." Candy's pink lips trembled and she started crying. "Mommy..."

"Don't cry, sweetheart." Caleb didn't want to argue and tried to leave the room holding Candy. But Grace blocked the door, propping it with her hands.

"Move aside."

"Caleb, don't pretend to be a good father in front of our daughter. If you truly love her, you wouldn't do such shameless things. I'm not afraid of your family. If you continue to find those prostitutes, I will make a big scene and let everyone know how shameless you are. We can even get divorced, and you won't see Candy again."

Grace's eyes burned with fire. Her expression was firm.

She was willing to give up everything, but she wouldn't allow him to have a mistress.

Candy cried heavily.

Caleb frowned tightly.

The small bathroom was filled with steam.

Oliver was playing with small ducks in the bathtub.

"Mommy, the little ducks are so cute.

"Mommy, I'm so happy today." Oliver's handsome face was full of a bright smile.

Susan felt even more heartbroken and guilty.

Oliver had been looking forward to going to the amusement park for months, but they had to leave hastily. They only played for less than an hour. The older Oliver became, the more Susan felt distressed. She would rather Oliver throw tantrums like other kids.

"I'm sorry, Oliver..." Susan choked up.

"Why are you saying sorry, mommy? I had a great time today. I rode the mini train and the big airplane. It's okay that I couldn't get on the carousel, it's meant for girls anyway. I'm a little man." Oliver proudly puffed up his chest. "I'll protect you in the future."

Susan laughed. Her eyes, however, became even redder.

Oliver made her feel sorry and guilty. She couldn't give him a complete family or a father.

Even with double the motherly love, it couldn't make up for the missing fatherly love, especially since she didn't fulfill her responsibilities as a mother well. She left early and returned late every day, spending very little time with Oliver, who was almost always with a nanny.

She cried.

A tear fell into the bathtub, splashing small water droplets.

"Mommy, don't cry, I will feel sorry." Oliver gently wiped away the tears from the corner of Susan's eyes with his small and gentle hands. He cupped Susan's face and kissed her teary eyes. "I love Mommy, and I will always be with Mommy.

"When I grow up, I will protect Mommy for a lifetime."

Susan cried even harder, emotionally embracing Oliver, who was wet. "Oliver, I won't let anyone take you away, never.

"I can't be without you.

"I love you so much."

"I love you too." Oliver held Susan's neck with her small hands.

Oliver made a firm vow in her heart. 'I must grow up quickly and take good care of Mama, not letting Mama shed another tear.'

On the next day, Layla handed the rushed design drawing to Susan.

However, Susan didn't look at the design drawing, just set it aside and regretfully said, "They changed personnel for this project."

"Change personnel?" Layla looked surprised. "Is Mr. Eilish not satisfied with our design, or..."

Halfway through, Layla suddenly stopped talking.

She had a feeling that the sudden change in personnel had nothing to do with the design, but with Susan.

She suddenly didn't know what to say, just disappointed.

Forty thousand dollars gone.

"Do you really want to take on this project?"

"It's okay." Layla looked troubled. But what else could she say? Susan was the key to the entire project, and Layla couldn't force her.

Just like back then, Layla would rather resign from her job at the Holland Group than bear the blame of being a 'third party.'

She could understand and Susan understood her feelings as well. Layla needed money to support her child. Susan had also been trapped in such a dilemma. Forty thousand dollars was important.

"I'm sorry." Susan felt guilty. The cruelest thing was giving someone hope, only to disappoint them.

"It's okay, actually, I'm a bit relieved and now I can focus on the resort project." Layla forced a smile. "It's fine like this too. I'll get back to work."

"Alright." Susan lowered her head and continued organizing the documents.

Her gaze involuntarily swept toward the revised hall blueprint by Layla.

Layla must have stayed up every night to complete the revisions in such a short period.

Thinking about this, Susan felt even more guilty.

If it were someone else, she might only feel a little guilty and not be bothered. But because she had experienced Layla's suffering, she couldn't bear to let a young girl go through the same agony as her.

She sympathized with Layla.

Susan frowned, hesitated for a moment, and picked up her phone to call Caleb.

The phone rang continuously.

For a long time, Caleb didn't answer the call.

He was doing it on purpose.

He said he would make her beg him, but Susan really didn't want to. It wasn't until the afternoon that she went up to the top floor and found the secretary to state her purpose.

"Please wait."