Chapter 518: Untying the Heart’s Knot
Verna Golding’s heart was in turmoil as well. She didn’t actually blame her two younger brothers, nor her stepmother anymore. Back then, her father had also found another match for her—a widower of decent character. He hadn’t forced her to marry Storm Xavier; she had chosen Storm Xavier herself.
She had simply been momentarily captivated by Storm Xavier’s handsome face. One look and she was spellbound, thinking of him day and night, unable to focus on her work. Even before she got pockmarks, she hadn’t been a beauty, and she was even uglier after. She didn’t even want to look in the mirror. Ever since she was a child, people had called her an "ugly freak" and a "pockmarked hag." Although Verna Golding acted like she didn’t care on the surface, she had always held it in her heart.
She had secretly harbored a defiant spirit. She was determined to marry a peerlessly handsome man. It didn’t matter if his social standing was poor, and she wasn’t afraid if he didn’t like her. ’Even a stone can be warmed with enough effort,’ she had thought. ’I refuse to believe a heart of flesh can’t be.’
Verna Golding had used fifteen years of her life to prove that while a human heart may be made of flesh, it can be colder and harder than stone. She couldn’t warm his.
But she didn’t regret it.
’If I had married any other man, would I have been able to have a son as wonderful as Clayton Xavier?’
’Of course not.’
’I’ll just consider Storm Xavier a stud pig. It wasn’t a total loss.’
Besides, Clayton could earn money now. Her mother-in-law said that policies were becoming more relaxed, social standing didn’t matter anymore, and the future would only get better. Verna Golding’s heart burned with renewed passion. ’Storm Xavier and Phoenix Golding, that damned couple, are less than nothing to me. I’m going to live a good life, a much better life than them. I have to watch them die with my own eyes. After they’re buried, I’ll even go and place a bouquet of bright red flowers on their graves to celebrate.’
Verna Golding’s mood suddenly brightened. A smile appeared on her face, the knot in her heart finally undone. She smiled gently at her two brothers, then turned to Magnus Golding and said, "Dad, thank you."
"Ah..."
Magnus Golding suddenly turned his head away, rubbing his eyes repeatedly. When you get old, it’s easy to get dust in your eyes.
Clayton Xavier also called out respectfully, "Grandpa, First Uncle, Second Uncle."
The two brothers were so happy they couldn’t stop rubbing their hands together. They weren’t good with words and could only say, "Come home and eat. We’ll have your aunt stew a goose for you. Eat up so you can grow tall."
’What a handsome nephew—so sensible and filial, and a good student, too. Our older sister’s hard times are finally coming to an end.’
Verna Golding smiled and declined. "We won’t stay for dinner. My mother-in-law is at home. We’ll come eat next time."
"Then we’ll bring the goose over tomorrow. You can stew it for Clayton. Make sure he eats plenty and grows taller," the brothers chimed in, almost at the same time. They were a bit anxious, afraid Verna Golding would refuse.
Verna Golding hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Come over for dinner tomorrow."
Magnus Golding and his two sons all breathed a sigh of relief. Verna Golding’s cousins and the other villagers also couldn’t help but feel happy for the family. They had finally reconciled. ’From now on, Verna Golding will have her family to back her up. Let’s see if that bastard Storm Xavier still dares to bully her.’
"This is much better. What’s the need for politeness in a family? You should come back often from now on. Millstone Peak is your family home, after all. It wouldn’t seem right for you not to visit."
Preston Thorne walked over, speaking in a heartfelt tone. Verna Golding’s temperament was too stubborn. In truth, Magnus Golding’s second wife wasn’t a vicious person. But she wasn’t her birth mother, so of course they couldn’t be close. Besides, with so little food in the house, a mother would definitely feed her own son first.
But he knew that Verna Golding’s biggest hang-up was the pockmarks on her face. If Magnus Golding and his wife had been a little more attentive back then, the girl wouldn’t have ended up with a face full of pockmarks. How could a young woman with a face like that possibly marry well? The suitors who came calling were either widowers or scoundrels, and there was even a simpleton. Storm Xavier was truly the most outstanding of the bunch.
"Mmm, I’ll have Clayton come over often from now on," Verna Golding nodded.