Chapter 87



“Jake, come on. It’s Shirley’s birthday. Please don’t argue with her. We don’t want to upset her…” Melinda interjected, noticing the tension escalating and Shirley’s expression souring.

“But she started it,” Jake retorted, his resolve unwavering. “She’s done something terribly wrong, yet she can’t allow others to point it out.”

Melinda was at a loss for words, Jake’s sharp reply leaving her overwhelmed. She glanced toward Dean, silently pleading for him to step in.

To Melinda’s surprise, Dean turned to Shirley with a look of disbelief. “Mom, is that true? Did you really treat Kallie that way? Have you ever been like this to Melinda? You used to have such a good temper. Is something bothering you?”

“I haven’t done anything wrong! I’ve always treated Melinda well!” Shirley responded, visibly angered, her voice rising with each word.

The room teetered on the edge of chaos. Kallie, silent at the heart of the storm, had not anticipated Jake’s bold defense, nor had she expected him to demand an apology from Shirley.

But now, none of it seemed to matter. She longed for a divorce, to start a life free from these conflicts. She had already suffered through so much pain. Even if Shirley apologized and got down on her knees to scrub the floor as she had, it wouldn’t make a difference.

Thus, Kallie gently pulled at Jake’s sleeve, her eyes conveying a clear message that she didn’t require an apology.

Shirley caught the gesture and understood Kallie’s message.

Kallie didn’t display grievance or forgiveness. Rather, she exuded pity. She appeared superior to Shirley, completely indifferent to the situation.

This indifference stoked a fire of anger within Shirley. Yet, despite her fuming, she knew Jake would not support her. He had sided with Kallie, leaving her at a disadvantage.

Blinking to force her tears down as her acting instincts kicked in, Shirley said, “It was my fault before.”

Shirley walked up to Kallie and took her hand. “I just wanted the best for Jake. I was worried you wouldn’t be able to look after him properly, so I tried to show you how to care for someone and how to manage a household. I went about it all wrong…”

Kallie’s expression remained neutral. Shirley’s apologies sounded like mere excuses for her past cruelty.

Kallie was tired of dwelling on the past. Jake had done enough for her, especially in front of Sarah.

Kallie forced a smile at Shirley.

“Have you forgiven me, Kallie?” Shirley asked, seeking some form of closure.

Kallie faced Shirley but didn’t nod. Forgiveness was beyond her reach.

Shirley had once forced Kallie to kneel and scrub the floor, cruelly stepping on Kallie’s hand while “accidentally” walking past. When Kallie cried out in pain, Shirley twisted the truth, claiming Kallie had cursed her and commanded the maid to strike her.

In those moments of despair, Kallie wondered how Roderick would react if he witnessed such cruelty. She could not bring herself to forgive Shirley for such actions.

“Kallie, have you forgiven me?” Shirley repeated her question, noticing Kallie’s silence.

Shirley grasped Kallie’s hand, yet Kallie remained motionless. She neither nodded nor shook her head.

“That is enough,” Jake finally said, stepping in and pulling Kallie to his side.

“Jake, I know I was wrong. I’ve apologized to Kallie, but she…” Shirley still tried to justify herself.

“Let’s just go eat,” Jake interrupted, shutting down Shirley’s attempts without pressuring Kallie to forgive her.

Jake led the way to the dining room, his expression stern, with Kallie close beside him.

“Alright, let’s eat,” Dean chimed in, sensing the tension. He motioned for Melinda to help Shirley, as they all moved toward the dining area.

Left alone, Sarah remained still, watching their retreat, her nails pressed deep into her palms.

The meal passed in silence, but by the afternoon, the house buzzed with arriving guests. Despite her dismay, Shirley forced a cheerful facade. Positioned in the living room, she greeted each visitor with a bright smile.

However, Shirley’s expression darkened whenever she caught sight of Kallie nearby, her eyes flashing with barely suppressed fury. So many had come just for Kallie!

Only days earlier, as responses for her birthday banquet poured in, Shirley had assumed they were coming for her, or perhaps for Jake or Dean. Yet, to her surprise, some had come solely for Kallie.

“Mr. Collins, what a surprise to see you here! You rarely make it back from overseas!” Dean warmly welcomed a prominent international client, prompting Shirley to rush over and join the greeting.

Donovan Collins offered a gift but ignored Shirley, heading directly to Kallie instead.

Accompanied by a sign language interpreter, Donovan beamed at Kallie. “Kallie, who would’ve thought Hayden’s studio housed such a young prodigy? I’ve wanted your expertise on some antique restorations but never found the right moment. When I heard you’d be here, I made it a point to return, hoping to enlist your help. Would that be possible?”

Kallie responded with a bashful smile, signaling her eager consent through gestures.

“Donovan said he came for Kallie?” Shirley turned to Melinda, her voice tight with incredulity. Another guest was here for Kallie! It was too much to bear. She longed to just drive Kallie away!

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