Chapter 87

I had suffered greatly for Hayden's love in the past.

"Mrs. Parker, it's so late. Are you still going shopping?" Erhan asked, his voice confused.

I snapped back to reality and subtly wiped a tear from my eye.

"Yes, I haven't been shopping in a long time," I said with a faint smile, stepping toward the mall.

Ethan asked no further questions and followed silently.

Honestly, I wasn't sure what I was doing. I felt a sense of incompleteness, a need to investigate. Perhaps I'd find something new.

I soon reached the store. The exterior renovations were nearly finished, but the store remained closed; the lights were off. A few passersby were the only signs of life; it felt desolate.

After a moment, the silence weighed on me. I turned to Ethan, "What would you do if you were dealing with this contract issue?"

"First, I'd beat those people up," Ethan replied instantly.

I froze. I expected suggestions like legal action or negotiation, not Ethan's blunt, forceful approach.

Just then, two middle-aged women approached the store, looking puzzled. "Why isn't it open? We've always used this passage," one said.

"Yeah, it used to be open. Lately, who knows?" the other sighed.

Intrigued, I approached them. "Was this always a store? Could you pass through here before?"

"Oh, miss, you must be new. There used to be a passage between these stores—it wasn't even narrow," one woman explained.

"I heard it was a fire exit! I can't believe they just closed it off. This mall is irresponsible," the other added.

"Forget it. Let's go around," she suggested.

Their conversation revealed a crucial detail: a fire exit once connected these four stores. No wonder they seemed larger than others; they'd apparently annexed the fire exit.

I quickly turned to Ethan. "Go get a floor plan of the mall and confirm if this was a fire exit."

"I'm only responsible for your safety, not running errands," Ethan said, arms crossed, sounding justified.

I almost choked, but after a moment, I pressed my hand to my temples. "I'll pay you extra."

Ethan's eyes lit up. Without a word, he left.

I watched him go, feeling momentarily helpless, yet envious. Money solved his problems; I wished all problems were so easily resolved.

Tired, I decided to go home.

Chapter 87

Entering the living room, I noticed the unusual quiet. Rita usually rushed to offer soup; tonight, she was absent.

"Where's Rita?" I casually asked a maid.

"Rita is helping Mrs. Parker pack," the maid replied.

My eyes brightened. "Packing? Is Mrs. Parker leaving?" Deborah had been staying a while and likely returning to the church; she cherished its peace and quiet. Her departure meant no more sharing a room with Hayden.

But the maid added, "Yes, Mrs. Parker said she wants to take you and Mr. Parker home for a family gathering for the holidays."

My smile vanished. "Back to the Parker residence!"

"Yes," the maid nodded.

My soul felt like it shattered.

The maid continued, oblivious, "I heard Layla's back. Mr. Parker will be happy."

Layla Parker, Hayden's mother (formerly Angel), was my mother-in-law, and she despised me. She'd been furious at our wedding and left when Hayden went abroad. Her return was unexpected.

A headache throbbed.

Rita appeared, cheerfully saying, "Yvonne, get ready. We're going to the Parker residence tomorrow." She looked forward to it; it was her home. I did not.

I scrambled for excuses. "I've been busy; I'll skip this time…"

"That won't do," Rita said firmly. "Mrs. Parker wants a family reunion."

I appreciated Rita's kindness; most Parkers disliked me.

"My father wants me home for the holidays," I lied.

Rita hesitated. "That's tricky…"

"You accompany Mrs. Parker. I'll visit the Jackson residence," I suggested.

As Rita seemed to agree, Deborah appeared, leaning on a cane. "Since you're married, part of the Parker family, why go back to your old home? Besides, you don't want to go back there, do you?"

I froze.

Chapter 87

While not forbidden, Deborah's words were absolute, and her following remark stunned me.

"Mrs. Parker…" I mumbled, deflated. I could fool Rita, but not Deborah.

Deborah took my hand, seating me on the sofa. "Is it Hayden's mother you don't want to see?"

"No," I whispered.

Deborah saw through me. "You know her well. She resents not deciding Hayden's marriage. She can't accept it. You're afraid she'll make things difficult."

Angel, from an aristocratic family, was superior and dismissive. The Jacksons were beneath her. When Hayden married me, she felt cursed.

For Hayden, I endured her sneers and tried to win her over. Now, I wanted distance.

"Mrs. Parker, I'm busy. The Parker residence is far; I'll stay near the company," I said.

Before Deborah replied, Hayden's deep voice came from the doorway, "You're coming back to the Parker residence."