Chapter 367
Jennifer looked visibly taken aback, “Leanne, why would you think that?”
The hardest part about saying something that’s been bottled up for years is the moment you start to speak. Once you do, it becomes much easier.
Leanne said, “Ever since I joined the Richardson family, you’ve never liked me, and I couldn’t understand why. As a child, I always thought it was because I wasn’t good enough, not likable enough, and I even hoped to win your affection.”
When she was first adopted by the Richardson family, she had hoped to see Jennifer as a mother figure, yearning for the maternal love she so deeply missed.
Over time, through the cold treatment, she slowly recognized her place and gave up the fantasy, living quietly under someone else’s roof. After getting into college, she wisely kept her distance.
If she never treated her like a daughter, why should Leanne consider Jennifer her mother?
“I didn’t know Carl had tried to blackmail you.” No matter what, Jennifer had chosen to protect her, and Leanne knew she should be grateful.
“I’m really sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you over the years.”
Leanne had always been quiet and reserved, never sharing her feelings. Jennifer sometimes found her too subdued, not savvy or quick-witted enough.
Today, her unexpected outpouring of feelings caught Jennifer off guard.
The servants had all stepped away, leaving the living room undisturbed. Leanne’s clear and honest gaze stirred something in Jennifer.
The fine bone china teacup in her hand suddenly felt heavier. She set the untouched cup of fragrant tea back on the coffee table.
She remained silent for a long time, and Leanne thought she wouldn’t respond. Just as she was about to get up, Jennifer spoke unexpectedly, “Curtis was supposed to have a younger sister.”
Supposed to? At first, Leanne didn’t understand. Seeing the clear sadness on Jennifer’s face, she realized this was no simple matter. “You mean…”
“I was pregnant with a daughter the year Curtis grandfather passed away. There were many upheavals in our family at that time, and I lost the baby. She was six months along. I had felt her kick, had already picked out a name for her, bought a crib and some clothes
too.”
Leanne was surprised, “You’ve never mentioned her before.”
“It’s because I’ve never gotten over it,” Jennifer said. “I had a medical procedure that left
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Chapter 367
me unable to have more children, and I’ve always held a grudge about it. Adopting you
was Mary’s decision. I wasn’t willing at first, and it caused a lot of arguments between us. So, when we brought you home, I was neglectful.”
So that was it.
Leanne could imagine how much Jennifer had looked forward to her own daughter’s birth and how hard the loss hit her, followed by the pressure to raise someone else’s child, fostering resentment.
Jennifer’s expression was complex, filled with guilt, introspection, and a touch of sadness, “Leanne, you haven’t done anything wrong. It was me who couldn’t untie my own knots. I resented Mary and unfortunately, displaced that onto you. I owe you an apology.”
Leanne, who had yearned for affection but only received indifference, could have never expected Jennifer to apologize one day.
She lowered her eyes, silent for a long time, unsure of whom to blame.
Should she blame Carl, the money-grubber? Although despicable, he wasn’t the root of the problem.
Should she blame Mary, who had insisted on adopting her against Jennifer’s will? Without Mary, she didn’t know how much longer she would have had to endure the dilapidated orphanage and the bullying.
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