Erin's POV:
This afternoon, I was surprised when a package from an anonymous sender was delivered to me at
home.
When I opened it and saw the copy Georges’ and Helen's marriage certificate, I was livid! @ George
and Helen were already married! What the hell! Even before I knew that Helen existed, George had
married that gold digger without my permission! I quickly had someone look into this matter and it
turned out to be true.
They were really legally married! My blood churned with anger and resentment.
By the time I reached Hesmor Law Firm and saw Helen, my anger had reached boiling point.I couldn't
care less about where I was and who was present.I just flung the papers in my hand into her face.
What on earth had Helen done to trap my naive son into marriage? Even a resounding slap would not
be enough to make her see sense.
After a long time, I managed to calm down a little.I was still seething, though.I began to re-evaluate this
woman.
Sadly, I had underestimated her cunning.
She was more scheming than Cinderella's stepmother! If such a vile woman married into the Affleck
family, she would stain the pure reputation that we had upheld for so many generations.I would never
welcome her into our family.
Before leaving, I threatened her vociferously, "Helen, this slap is just my early warning to you.I want
you to divorce George right away or I will torture you so badly that you will only find relief in your own
suicide!"
When I walked out of Hesmor Law Firm, my head was spinning like it was ready to explode.
My brain buzzed like there were a million bees inside.
Before going to see Helen, I had asked the maid for some painkillers and a couple of blood-pressure
pills.
With my stress levels being so high, I was afraid that I would collapse before meeting Helen.I generally
took pretty good care of my health.
But as I was aging, my physical condition was deteriorating and because I was experiencing so much
of emotional turmoil, my hair was starting to turn grey.
As soon as I reached home, I was greeted by Morton's loud, angry voice.I rushed to his side to
ascertain the cause of his fury.
A maid immediately came up and gave me the phone.
She said anxiously, "It's old Mr.Affleck.They just had a terrible argument!"
When I took the phone, the headache I had earlier, worsened.
My head felt like a thousand bongo drums were pounding inside.But I still had to maintain calm in front
of my father-in- law.
"Dad, what happened?"
"Are you seriously asking me what happened? What kind of idiotic parents are you? How can you not
know anything about it when your son's already married? Before the whole world gets to know about it,
you better have it annulled."
He gave a Strict instruction in a menacing tone and then hung up the phone.I didn't even get a chance
to defend myself against his stream of invective.
Morton rebuked me disapprovingly as if I was responsible for what George had done.
"How could you, his mother, not know about such an important thing?"
Although I wanted to lash out at Morton, I had to be the one to keep a cool head and contain my anger.
George was not only my son.Morton was his father but he had always been indifferent to George.
Now that we had landed ourselves in such a crisis, he just blamed me for it.But when I saw his
unyielding look, I replied calmly, "I'll find a way out of this."
"Whatever you do, remember to keep a low profile.Don't let the paparazzi get wind of this bad news
before the election is over," Morton ordered in a hoarse voice.
"Okay, I'll keep that in mind." I knew how serious the matter was.
Although I was most dissatisfied with his selfish attitude, I bottled up all my anger.I was physically and
mentally exhausted.
The maid helped me back to my bedroom and I lay down on the bed.I was too upset to bother with
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Helen's POV:
After George's mother left in a flurry, I sank into the chair in the meeting room.My face was burning and
I experienced a bit of vertigo.I only pretended to be strong in front of George’s mother.
But I had been mocked, humiliated and castigated so many times that my faith in my marriage was
becoming a little shaky.It was not that I doubted or distrusted George's love for me but rather that I
meant nothing to the Affleck family.I was insignificant in their lives.
In fact, they all seemed to hate me with a passion.
George’s mother’s words rang true as they echoed in my mind.She could easily destroy me.
Given her contacts, I wouldn't have a snowball’s chance in hell to survive against her.I would not have
the strength to hold on.I kindly asked Phil to step out as I wanted to be alone for a while.
Phil sensibly obliged and closed the door behind him.
The moment I was left alone in the meeting room, my straight back collapsed and I melted into a
pathetic heap.
At that very moment, George messaged me.
"Are you done with work? Shall I come over and pick you up?" I stared at the message for a long time
and hot tears slowly blurred my vision.
Then I finally replied, "No, I need to see Cece tonight, so I won't go back.She has only just come back
to New York and needs some help adjusting to her new life here."
I hated lying to George, but sadly I had to.The truth was, Cece was very independent and didn't need
my help at all.
Besides, I didn't want Cece to see me in this state now.
Cece had had a conflict with Kendal's mother a long time ago.If I went to see her and opened up about
my dilemma, it would remind her of the past and depress her.
Whenever I felt that I had hit rock bottom, I always thought of Lucy.She was my anchor.
If only I had her here with me now through this tough time...
When Jane slapped me in public that time, it was also Lucy who defended me and slapped Jane
back.But this time she was not here to witness that humiliating slap...
How would she have reacted? After thinking for a while and really missing Lucy, I sent her a message.
"Hello, Lucy! Where are you now?" Lucy's reply came through quickly.
"On vacation in Hawaii." Her answer was succinct but at least she had replied.
My relationship with Lucy had been strained ever since I told her that I disapproved of her relationship
with Dyer.Now I was guilt ridden and didn't know how to reply to her.
Just then Lucy sent another message.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing.I just miss you a lot.Take care of yourself, okay?"
I knew Lucy went away to get over her personal pain too, so I didn't want to burden her with my
troubles.
"I'm sorry, Helen.I will only be back in about two months’ time."
Lucy had quit her jobs as a headhunter and as a relationship blogger.Her relationship with Dyer was
still complicated so she needed some space.She felt a vacation would help relax her and clear her
mind.
I then transferred all the money I owed Lucy into her account.I didn't think too much when transferring
the money.I simply figured that she had lost her income and she might need the money.
But Lucy misunderstood me.She texted me back immediately.
"What's that supposed to mean? Do you want to disassociate yourself from me? I'll say this one last
time, Helen.I am not a home-wrecker and I have never harmed anyone in my life!"
I was deeply pained when I saw her message.I tried to call her to set the record straight, but I found
that she had switched off her phone.My heart became too heavy for me to carry it.
In the end, I didn't reply to her message.I turned off my phone and threw it onto the table.I was too
exhausted to defend myself.
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