Chapter 37
Olivia was the first to spot Nicole. Her face, which had been smiling while talking to Gloria, instantly darkened as she rushed out to slap Nicole.
Nicole watched her raised hand and narrowed her eyes. At the moment the slap was about to land, she gripped Olivia’s wrist tightly.
Her fingertips were ice cold, and her nails sharp as she deliberately dug them into Olivia’s flesh, instantly breaking the skin and drawing blood, Olivia screamed in pain, shaking her off and clutching her bleeding
wrist in fury.
“Hayden, look at her! She’s completely out of line!”
“You tried to hit me first. Don’t think just because you’re old you get to hit whoever you want. I won’t put
up with it.”
Nicole seemed like a completely different person. Her eyes were indifferent, no longer treating Olivia as
the elder she used to try to please.
Nicole used to think that Olivia simply didn’t like her, that she found fault with her one–sidedly and felt she wasn’t good enough for Hayden. Now she understood that everyone only recognized Gloria, while she was just trouble they had to deal with because she happened to carry Hayden’s child.
Olivia was stunned, pointing at Nicole with a trembling finger. “Who… Who are you calling old?”
She was nearly 40 years old and hated when people brought up her age. Nicole knew this was her sore spot and smiled mockingly.
“Are you not? You’re already my child’s great–aunt.”
Olivia could barely catch her breath. Hayden frowned slightly and pulled Nicole aside. “Enough. You
should show basic respect to Aunt Olivia.”
Olivia pointed to her bleeding wrist. “She not only showed no respect, but she even…”
“How could you hurt Aunt Olivia? Matt has a high fever. Come on, let’s go upstairs.” Hayden scolded Nicole briefly, then immediately pulled her away.
Olivia stood there, somewhat confused. Had Hayden just defended her? But somehow she felt something
was off about it.
Gloria took in everything, watching Nicole approach with a flash of hatred in her eyes that quickly disappeared.
She smiled bitterly. “Matt had a high fever all night, and you never came to see him. Aunt Olivia and I took care of him. Matt kept holding onto me and wouldn’t let go.”
Nicole pretended not to hear the subtle boasting in her words. What did it matter to her who the kid
Chapter 37
depended on? He wasn’t her son anymore anyway.
2/2
The only reason she could set foot in this place was because of that piece of land her family needed. She was being forced to be here.
Hayden pushed open the door and instructed her before going in. “No matter what, Matt has a fever right now and feels terrible. Don’t be harsh with him like before.”
Nicole lowered her eyes and reluctantly agreed, and they went inside. The family doctor was preparing medicine for Matthew and nodded slightly when he saw them enter.
Matthew started crying the moment he saw Nicole and turned to look out the window, ignoring her. “I don’t want to see you! Where’s Ms. Ashford? I want Ms. Ashford to come stay with me!”
Nicole showed no expression. “Okay.”
She turned to leave. Both father and son were stunned.
Matthew panicked and shouted at her. “You’re not allowed to leave!”
Nicole stopped at the doorway. “Is there something else?”
“You… you…” Matthew bit his lip.
He didn’t want to see Nicole like this. He felt awful right now and wanted Nicole to hold him and comfort him to sleep like she used to.
But Matthew couldn’t bring himself to say he needed Nicole. He still resented being slapped last night and kept his face stern without making a sound.
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