Chapter 11
Brandie’s shrill scolding immediately exploded through the phone. Claudine held the phone at arm’s length, saving her eardrums from the screeching.
“The maids told me you haven’t been around these days. No one’s there to take care of Darla, and Dami has to take her to work.
“Five barren years of marriage to Dami, Claudine! Now you won’t even care for Darla? Have you no shame?”
Claudine had been insulted like this countless times during the past five years.
In the past, she had endured Brandie’s harsh words because she didn’t want to put Damian in between.
But she had put up with it for so long, and the abortion was the final straw. She was determined to divorce him. No longer would she submit herself to Brandie’s acid tongue.
She took a deep breath to suppress her emotions.
Then she said calmly, “Darla is Damian’s daughter, too. He’s her father and is obliged to take care of her.
“Besides, there are plenty of maids at home. Of course, they’re more than capable of looking after a little girl.
“Darla is five already. I mentioned before about enrolling her in kindergarten.
“I get that a private tutor gives personalized help, but the school environment is better for her character development and social skills.
“Damian agrees with me on this. Maybe you should talk to him about this. Why don’t you discuss it with him? You can call the shots on matters concerning Darla.”
“Nonsense!” Brandie raised her voice.
She had always despised Claudine. Claudine’s devoted care for Darlene and Damian was the only reason stopping her from urging Damian to get a divorce.
How dare Claudine talk to her like this?
“Claudine, I knew it. You never truly loved Darla. You’ve got some nerve, pushing Dami to send her to school!
“You vicious, scheming stepmother!”
Brandie’s words grew increasingly harsh.
For the first time, Claudine interrupted her, “Brandie, I’m divorcing Damian. It means Darla is no longer my responsi- bility. I’m sure it’s a relief for you–after all, Darla won’t be around her vicious, scheming stepmother anymore.”
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Chapter 11
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She hung up after saying this.
Brandie stared at the darkened screen in great disbelief.
Claudine was divorcing Damian?
Had she lost her mind?
Darlene, who was standing aside, tugged at Brandie’s clothes.
“Grandma…”
She’d heard Claudine propose kindergarten and say “Darla is no longer my responsibility“, which echoed in her mind.
Did it mean no one would play Lego with her, bake pastries, or tell bedtime stories to her anymore?
She pouted, and the tears brimming in her eyes broke Brandie’s heart.
Brandie scooped her up and pecked her cheek. “Ignore her. That divorce nonsense? Just anger talking. She could nev- er leave Dami. She said that out of spite, and that’s all.”
“Really?”
Though pampered, Darlene was just a little girl. She couldn’t help but be upset when she heard that Claudine no longer wanted her.
Brandie stroked her hair.
“Of course. She’s just throwing a tantrum. Let her stew–she’ll come crawling back once no one’s paying attention. Then things will go back to normal. She’ll take care of you as she always does.
“Now, who’s up for some fun in the amusement park?”
“Me, me!”
Darlene immediately clapped her hands excitedly, completely forgetting about Claudine.
In the evening, Damian was working when someone pushed open the office door.
Brandie walked up front. Unlike usual, her makeup was smudged, and the fatigue on her face was more than obvious. She seemed a decade older, her past elegance all gone.
Her bodyguard followed her with the sleeping Darlene in his arms.
“I’m so exhausted!”
Brandie collapsed onto the sofa, no longer caring about her ladylike composure.
Damian took Darlene from the bodyguard, gently put her on the bed in the lounge, and then asked Lindsay to prepare a cup of black tea for Brandie.
Brandie took a few sips of the tea.
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