It was not until Roy was gone Cassie realized her feelings for him. Just as the old saying goes that the onlooker sees most of the game. Therefore, Irish felt it was necessary to remind Cassie of her true feelings for Roy.
Cassie stared at Irish in shock, and Irish's words enlightened her.
Soon a faint sound of cry came in from outside the door.
Irish was also startled. A few seconds later, Cassie hastily rushed out while Irish also followed behind. It was Shirley who was crying.
The unwashed fruits were neatly placed on the plate while Shirley wept on the couch. Obviously, she was trying to suppress her emotion.
Standing at the door, Irish was shocked by what she saw.
Shirley always gave her an impression of aggressiveness, and she always cried and shouted in front of Henry before. She was an annoying woman. But now Shirley looked so helpless yet desperate. Even if Shirley was suffering from great pain, she needed to plan for her grandchild.
Shirley was like a woman who didn't transform into a sedate mother when Roy was alive, but now she was forced to become mature after Ruby and Roy's death.
Irish thought Shirley would repeatedly attempt suicide and even act in a lunatic manner, but to her surprise, Shirley just cried secretly.
Perhaps Shirley was clear that no one could give her comfort anymore when she was crying because they were all gone. Perhaps that was why Shirley turned to be brave and calm. It seemed that Shirley had no other choice because she would soon be a grandmother.
Faith gave Shirley support to live, and that was why Shirley chose to suffer in silence.
Cassie was intensely disquieted. Hesitant, Cassie stepped to Shirley. "Mom..." She called Shirley in a choking voice, and soon her eyes were filled with tears again.
Standing over there, Irish was also grieving.
If Joseph was there with her, he must know how to handle all this.
Shirley covered her face, trembling slightly. She looked up after for a long while, and her eyes were bloodshot.
"Cassie, you can't cry. You have to take care of yourself," said Shirley.
Cassie handed the tissue to Shirley, who immediately dried her tears and turned to Irish.
When Shirley looked at her, Irish knew that she must have something to discuss with her.
As Irish expected, Shirley said slowly, "I know you hate me."
Irish remained silent and waited for her to continue.
"I know Henry loves your mother. I also met your mother before. She is a beautiful woman," continued Shirley. She stared at Irish, her lips trembling slightly, and said again, "You look like your mother and inherit your mother's beauty."
Irish would have been furious because she didn't hope anyone would mention her mother, especially Shirley, but this time Irish just wanted to listen to Shirley tell the past story.
Irish sat down across Shirley calmly.
"I must admit that when I met your mother for the first time, I knew I was the loser, and it is impossible for me to surpass your mother. But Henry needed help from my family while I also needed to find a husband like him as my backer, so we got married. Your father is excellent, and your mother loved him all her life. But women are selfish, and I admit I am the mistress and ruined the relationship between them," said Shirley as if she was telling a sad story.
Irish was grieved and lowered her head.
"I did play a trick on your father, and I gave birth to Roy and Ruby after that."
Shirley was getting upset. Clenching her hand into a fist, Irish pursed her lips into a thin line.
"But when Henry called your mother's name when he was drunk, I learned that it was impossible to replace Rachel's place in his heart. He never loved me, but he had no other choice but to make a compromise for his Lake family. I was pregnant then, and I threatened him that if he abandoned me, I would commit suicide, and he would lose me and the unborn baby. Henry was afraid his family reputation would be damaged, so he made a concession," uttered Shirley in a choking voice.
"That's enough." Irish was about to leave.
"Irish, please listen to me. I have thought thrice before telling you the whole story," Shirley stopped her.
Hesitant, Irish sat down again.
"I always worried that Henry would come back to Rachel someday, so I came to your mother and told her I would not let her go if Henry left me. What's more, Lake's family would also suffer disaster," continued Shirley, lowering her head.
Irish could imagine how desperate and helpless her mother was at that time. Irish could still remember the day when Shirley came to them with little Ruby. Irish didn't know what Shirley said to her mother, but Irish remembered Ruby saying harshly to her that she would kill her if they took Henry from Shirley. Ruby was still a little girl, but her eyes were burning with anger.
The sentence still lingered in Irish's mind.
"Your mother said nothing, and I kept glaring at her. I am so jealous of her. She is beautiful and elegant. Rachel kept silent for a long while and then assured me that she would not disturb us," said Shirley again.
Irish felt her heart was almost broken, and she began to bear a grudge against Shirley again.
"I am Mrs. Lake, and I deluded myself regarding Rachel as the mistress. I thought I could live a peaceful life. But God is equal to everyone. Irish, I ruined your mother's happiness, but now God also ruined my life. Ruby and Roy were gone. It is a punishment for what I did in the past. But why did he take Ruby and Roy's life? They are innocent. They did nothing wrong. I would like to endure all the suffering for them." Shirley began to sob.
Irish let out a long sigh.
"Irish, I am sorry. I am really sorry. I know you won't forgive me, and I also know that it is no use to ask forgiveness. I only hope you can help Cassie to strive for a guarantee. She is pregnant, and I don't want them to live a hard life after the baby's birth."
"Cassie is my best friend. I will help her," replied Irish indifferently. She felt a sense of suppression in her chest. She stood up and added, "Don't mention the old days anymore. It makes no difference to the matter. What matters now is to live up to the future days."
It sounded like Irish had let go of the detestation. Irish finally freed herself from the misgivings.
Shocked, Shirley looked at her and then cried out.
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