Chapter 1999

Hannah's anxiety surged when Wendy announced her willingness to become Charlie Wade's mistress.

"Wendy! Are you insane?" she exclaimed. "Being a mistress is never good, but to that man—that brute?—he's not worthy of you!"

Wendy sighed. "Mom, I actually think Charlie Wade is a good person—handsome, responsible, and much better than Gerald."

"Nonsense!" Hannah glared. "That man is a scoundrel! He's not worthy of carrying your shoes!"

Wendy offered a bitter smile. "What have I been doing for almost a year? I was once a phoenix, soaring high, but now I'm worse than a barnyard chicken."

Tears streamed down Wendy's face. "Mom, my reputation is ruined. No man will even look at me"

Hannah embraced her daughter, her heart aching. "My dear girl, don't think like that. What's reputation compared to living well?"

She continued, "Besides, you've only been with three men: Gerald, Kenneth Wilson, and Jeffrey Weaver. You're in your twenties. Many girls have slept with more men before graduating college without their reputations being ruined."

Wendy cried, shaking her head. "Mom, it's different. College is a closed society. What happens there stays there, at least for four years. But I was with Gerald; everyone in Aurouss Hill knew. The same with Kenneth Wilson. My reputation is destroyed. Everyone knows I've been with a man older than my father. And Kenneth used me, giving me to Jeffrey—something nobody in Aurouss Hill knows about."

Hannah's voice choked with pain. "My dear girl, I don't blame you. I blame myself, your father, and your grandmother! If we hadn't been so obsessed with money, we wouldn't have pushed you into this" She slapped herself. "I'm sorry! I'm a monster!"

Wendy grabbed her hand. "Mom, I don't blame you. I did it willingly. I was seduced by money and power. It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself."

Hannah cried. "What have I done? How did things turn out this way?"

Wendy nodded. "Mom, I just want peace and stability. Even if it means being Charlie Wade's mistress—even a kept woman—I'm willing" She sobbed. "I envy Claire Wilson. Everyone thought she ruined her life marrying a loser. But he's been loyal to her for four years. He works hard for her, even though people laugh at him, he never leaves her side. And that 'loser' became the respected Master Wade. He has incredible potential. Charlie Wade is truly reliable. Gerald, even with his wealth, is unreliable. In a crisis, they all abandon you."

Hannah was stunned. "You're right That Claire Wilson seems foolish, but she's actually wise!"