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Back then, when the Kaufman family selected a wife, everyone was puzzled. Why would the most prestigious family in Houston overlook distinguished ladies from noble families and instead choose women from ordinary backgrounds?
Fertility came first.
All other conditions were only secondary.
Victor’s mother had always worried that her son would ruin his health given his messed up private life. The Kaufman family already struggled with succession. Surprisingly, Victor’s lineage had three children. That was why one was adopted into Antonio’s direct bloodline.
Because of a misunderstanding during the shipwreck, I married Victor with a sliver of hope.
I did that to pay off my father’s gambling debts and free my mother from years of domestic abuse.
I had thought that even if we couldn’t share deep affection, at least we could show some respect to each other as husband and wife.
But I never expected such utter disappointment.
Antonio listened to our conversation, a trace of bitterness shown in his expression.
“That day, on the Virginia shore, the person you saved was me. For confidentiality reasons, I didn’t tell anyone. I never imagined it would lead to such a misunderstanding,
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DONA
01.29
Chapter 8
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“Later, in that dim bar, I saw you drinking alone. Under the glow of the lights, I recognized you at a glance.”
He gave a bitter smile and gripped my fingers.
A tear slipped down my cheek.
“I wanted to marry you, but when I finally turned back, you were already wed into the Kaufman family.”
Victor awkwardly watched as we embraced, still trying to get away.
“Uncle Antonio, in a way, I was the bridge between you two, almost like a matchmaker. Can’t you give me a chance and just let me go?”
Antonio’s expression turned cold in an instant. “If it weren’t for you standing in the way, she would have rightfully been my wife long ago. How come you have the nuts to say that? Who do you think you are?”
Victor was completely infuriated. “Uncle Antonio, she can’t even have children anymore! Why are you still defending her?”
“I am the rightful heir of the Kaufman family. Only my children will be the ones to safeguard the empire you worked so hard to build! Yet, you’re siding with an outsider. How come?
“If she is your type, I can find you dozens, even hundreds. Why cling to someone who has already had a miscarriage?”
“Shut up!”
Before Antonio could react, a voice rang out from the doorway, powerful and commanding.
Victor’s face swelled up instantly. He was silenced at once.
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01:29
Chapter 8
Catherine Kaufman, my mother–in–law, entered the room, with a cane.
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In the past few days, she had been so consumed with worry that her hair had turned grey. Her unsteady steps showed her exhaustion.
She looked at me before shifting her gaze to Antonio, her tone softening. “I need to speak with Grace. It’s a matter between women. Can you give us a moment?”
Antonio glanced at me. Seeing that I didn’t resist, he buttoned his blazer and left the room.
Catherine dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. With each glance at me, the pain in her gaze deepened.
“You’ve suffered… I never thought this ungrateful son would do such a thing. When we brought you into this family, it was for the sake of an heir.”
Still kneeling on the ground, Victor lifted his chin and shouted, “Mom, why are you so biased?”
The next second, Catherine hit him with her cane. “Shut up! Say one more word, and I won’t acknowledge you as my son anymore! Do you intend to uproot our entire bloodline with your disgraceful actions?
“Can’t you see who, the Kaufman legacy truly depends on?”
“So, am I just supposed to endure the humiliation of having my wife taken from me?” Victor Kaufman retorted.
Catherine fell silent, hesitating as she turned to look at me.
Only then did I realize that they played off each other, trying to stir up my guilt.
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Chapter 8
And sure enough, in the next moment, Catherine revealed her true
intentions.
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“Grace, I know you’re a good girl. Please, let Victor off just this once. After all, you can still have more children…
“If you want to be with Antonio, our family won’t object. But in name, you are still Victor’s wife.”
Victor raised an eyebrow at me, his voice dripping with mockery.
“Exactly. If the scandal gets out, we’re all losers. You just married into the Kaufman family. If people found out what you’ve done, what would they say about you? Your reputation would be ruined!
“And besides, you’ve already lost your child, while Eline is still carrying one. You’d be better off admitting your mistake and submitting to reality. Do you really think Uncle Antonio will still want you once he gets enough of you?”
I placed a hand on my belly, where a baby had once been. It used to be my greatest hope.
Now, Victor ruined everything.
“I never officially registered my marriage when I entered this family. I was only promised legal recognition if I bore a Kaufman heir. We had nothing but a wedding, one that Victor himself ruined by not attending it. Since we didn’t even have a wedding, I’m still single. So don’t try to use outdated notions of female virtue to manipulate me.”
I cast a cold glance at the mother and son before pressing the call bell by my bedside.
