âEven if the Dunhill name isnât shining as brightly as it once was, itâs still out of your league. Without your sweet talk, how could I have ever ended up with someone like you?
Donât act all high and mighty now. At your age, you should be grateful Iâm not sending you out to work your fingers to the bone. Do you think I have it easy out there hustling and wining and dining for business? Donât bite the hand that feeds you. Just play your part as Mrs. Dunhill at home, or is that too much for you? If you really want to parade yourself around town, I wonât stop you. Just spare me the sarcastic things.â
Tessaâs tears streamed down her face as her husbandâs mocking words cut deep, âYou heartless jerk!
Do you not remember the state of the Dunhill family when I married you? Now you paint it as if I was clawing to be with you. Do your past promises to me mean nothing? Are they all lies? I simply said that Ivy is our daughter, too. How dare you dump all the blame on me?â
Seeing his wife so distraught, Finnâs expression also soured. He had spoken in anger and spewed out harsh words without a filter. But his manâs pride was too strong to apologize. He was the head of the household so he felt that he had nothing to apologize for.
As Tessa wept, Clara walked in, her initial smile fading at the sight of her stepmother in tears and her father with a stern face.
âWhatâs going on, Dad? Are you two at it again?â
She feigned her concern there. This couple had been fighting a lot for these days so her concern was also tinged with a sense of amusement. Her father had abandoned her mother without a second thought, and now it seemed Tessa was getting her just desserts.
Tessa forced a smile and wiped away her tears, âItâs nothing, Clara. Are you hungry? Thereâs some meatloaf in the pot. Why donât you grab a bite?â
Finn, also playing along, steered clear of the previous argument. They had an unspoken agreement not to fight in front of their daughter.
âOh, is that so? Iâll skip the meatloaf, you eat it. Iâm off to a party. And Tessa, donât forget what I asked you to do last time.â
With that, Clara grabbed the car keys she just dropped. She slipped on her shoes and left without looking back, despite Tessa calling after her.
âShe even didnât tell us when sheâll be back. I made her favorite dishes tonight,â Tessa murmured, instructing the housekeeper to serve dinner, then inviting Finn to join her.
âWhat did Clara want you to talk to Ivy about?â Finn asked bluntly at the dinner table, worried Tessa might stir up trouble at Ivyâs.
The Dunhill family couldnât afford any more gossip.
âWhy donât you ask your baby daughter? Oh, am I just a servant to the Dunhill family, expected to do everything and report every little detail?â
Finn slammed his bowl on the table with a thud, âWhat was that? If you donât want to eat, then donât!â
Tessaâs chest heaved with barely contained anger. With a scornful laugh, she shot back, âAnd why shouldnât I eat?â