Chapter 180
Joanna’s smile froze, the warmth draining from her face.
A flicker of panic darted across her hazel eyes.
What on earth was Chester doing here?!
She whipped around to glare at Celestine, who looked utterly unbothered.
That conniving witch! She must have planned this on purpose!
Joanna clenched her jaw so tightly it hurt, fighting back tears that welled in her
eyes.
Elena, who’d followed them outside, practically purred with malicious delight. “Mr. Fordham, isn’t it obvious? It’s always been her–she’s the one hurting your wife! Your whole family’s in shambles because of her. She’s rotten to the core, and only shows her true colors when you’re not around!”
The enemy of my enemy is my friend, Elena thought.
She’d always kept up a polite front with Celestine, pretending at friendship, but she’d never miss a chance to kick someone when they were down–especially not
Joanna.
Joanna just handed her the perfect opportunity, and for that, she had to thank Celestine.
Compared to Joanna–the queen of playing innocent–Celestine, who relied on empty words, was hardly worth worrying about.
Chester’s face darkened at Elena’s shrill accusations. “Miss Langley, what business of yours is this?”
Elena blanched, instantly flustered. “Mr. Fordham, please, I didn’t mean-”
Chester cut her off with a cold, scornful laugh. “Keep your mouth shut. I don’t want to hear another word out of you.”
Elena’s face went as white as a sheet. She shot a desperate look at Serena.
But Serena only frowned and shook her head, silently telling Elena to drop it.
Elena seethed with frustration but refused to leave. She wanted to see just how Joanna would get out of this mess.
Chester, brows drawn tight, ignored Elena and turned his searching gaze back to
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Joanna.
To him, Joanna had always been gracious and kind–meticulous, generous, the kind of woman who always tried to do right by everyone.
If she hadn’t left the country all those years ago, maybe he and Celestine wouldn’t have ended up married by some cruel twist of fate.
Now, hearing those jagged fragments of the past from Joanna’s own lips, he couldn’t deny his anger.
She spoke as if he were nothing more than an object.
Yet he could sense so many secrets she still kept from him.
Chester needed answers. Desperately.
Joanna lifted her chin, stubborn and proud, tears glistening in her eyes. “You’ve already heard everything, Chester. What’s the point in asking me again?”
“Joanna…”
“Don’t look at me like that. Please.” Her voice cracked, and she angled her face just so, perfect for catching the light as a single tear slipped free. “I know I must look like a monster to you right now. I know I’ve broken your heart.” She let out a shuddering breath. “But I don’t regret it. I love you. The moment I met you, I lost my reason, my pride, my self–respect. None of it mattered anymore.”
Chester’s disappointment was palpable. “You never should have done those things.” Suddenly, Joanna’s composure shattered. Her voice rose, wild with emotion. “That’s right! I’m the villain! I deserve to be hated, to be alone forever! I deserve to watch the man I love marry someone else and walk down the aisle while I stand by helpless. Sometimes I wonder if I hadn’t listened to my mentor, if I hadn’t gotten on that plane to Paris all those years ago–would everything be different now? Would I be the one beside you, the real Mrs. Fordham?” Her voice shook with anguish. “My only mistake was loving you after you were already married, still hoping for you, wanting you, and refusing to let go!”
Joanna’s sobs broke through, her pain raw and unfiltered.
Chester’s hardened expression wavered, a hint of pity breaking through. “Joanna, even so, you shouldn’t have done those things.”
She shot him a bitter, tear–stained smile. “What, Chester–you finally see what a terrible person I am? Do you hate me now?” Her eyes were full of grief and
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desperate defiance.
Chester’s heart gave a painful lurch.
He knew, without a doubt, that Joanna loved him.
