Secretly Married for 4 Years, He Regrets to Tears After the Divorce

Chapter 274: Chapter 274: It Has Nothing to Do with My Son, She Was the One Who Seduced Him

Seeing Yvonne Donovan’s face fall, Claire Sterling quickly rose, moved closer, and gently patted the back of her hand.

"Look at you, getting worked up over nothing. What’s our history? We’ve been inseparable since childhood. Then you married my brother, and we became family—even closer than before. Why would I side with an outsider to upset you? You’re misjudging me."

But Yvonne Donovan didn’t appreciate the gesture. She turned her face away, avoiding Claire Sterling’s gaze. Her exquisite makeup couldn’t conceal the indignation and hurt in her eyes.

"Misjudging you? Every word you’ve said has been in defense of that Isla Griffith. You even claimed her pregnancy is Sean’s fault. How could you say all that and not be trying to provoke me?"

"I was just looking at the facts. I didn’t mean to take sides," Claire Sterling explained patiently.

"Sean is a grown man; he should know better. If he had maintained proper boundaries with Isla Griffith and not gotten involved with her, how could she have gotten pregnant with his child? At the end of the day, Sean bears responsibility for this."

"Responsibility? The only one to blame is Isla Griffith for having no self-respect." Yvonne Donovan snatched her hand back, suddenly agitated.

"It has nothing to do with my son. She was the one who seduced him. She preyed on Sean’s soft heart, thinking she could tie him down with a baby. All she cares about is using her child to climb the social ladder, fighting tooth and nail to marry into the Sterling family. I’ve seen plenty of scheming women like her."

She grew more incensed as she spoke, reaching for the celadon teacup on the table. Her fingers gripped it so tightly the rim seemed to dig into her palm. She then slammed it back down, sending ripples through the tea.

"Since Isla Griffith is the first girlfriend Sean has ever brought home, I made a point to meet with her a few days ago. I kindly offered her a check, an amount large enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life. I’d say I was more than fair."

"But her? She was completely ungrateful."

"Now I see it all clearly. It’s not that she doesn’t want money; she’s just too greedy. She thought the amount on the check wasn’t enough. She’s using her pregnancy to make a play for the title of Mrs. Sterling. A very clever scheme, I must admit."

Claire Sterling watched her agitated state, a slight frown creasing her brow. "Do you really detest Isla Griffith that much in your heart?" she asked softly. "Is there absolutely no room for compromise?"

"What do you think?" Yvonne Donovan scoffed, her eyes filled with criticism and contempt.

"Is there a single thing about her worthy of my respect? She has no family background, no depth. And she’s an actress, parading herself around in the entertainment industry. I find her completely unsuitable."

"If she were just trying to use Sean to get a foothold in the industry with the Sterling family’s resources, I could almost understand. After all, there are plenty of people like that in her world. I could have just turned a blind eye."

"But this Isla Griffith is especially devious. Her motives for getting close to Sean are anything but pure."

"She’s full of calculations. With such a manipulative woman, Sean is completely bewitched. He doesn’t know which way is up. Sooner or later, he’s going to be ruined by her."

"I’m Sean’s mother. I can’t just stand by and watch my son be deceived by a woman like that, ruining his future and disgracing the Sterling family name."

Yvonne Donovan grew more agitated as she spoke, her chest heaving slightly. Her eyes were filled with grim resolve, as if she wanted nothing more than to tear Isla Griffith away from Sean Sterling that very instant.

"Don’t get so upset. Please, calm down." Claire Sterling quickly began rubbing her back to soothe her, her voice full of concern.

"We’re not young anymore. Our health is what’s most important. Ruining your health over these matters just isn’t worth it."

At her persuasion, Yvonne Donovan’s tense body relaxed slightly. Still, she heaved a heavy sigh and propped her head in her hand, her fingertips massaging her throbbing temples. Her face was a mask of exhaustion and stress.

"That damn brat, Sean. From the day he was born, has he ever done anything against my wishes? But on this one thing, he’s so stubborn, so unwilling to budge. He just won’t give me a moment’s peace."

"If I’d known he’d grow up to be this disobedient, I never would have risked a difficult labor to have him."

As Sean Sterling’s aunt, Claire Sterling had always been concerned about her nephew’s marriage.

Previously, like Yvonne Donovan, she had hoped Sean would find a young lady from an equally prominent family. A powerful alliance between two such families would solidify the Sterlings’ status and pave a smoother path for Sean’s future—it would be nothing but beneficial for the family.

But after everything she had been through, her views had slowly begun to change.

These dynastic marriages looked glamorous on the surface, but she had seen too much of the private bitterness and compromise they entailed.

More than family status or pedigree, she now hoped her nephew would find someone who genuinely loved him. A life of mutual affection, peace, and stability was more important than all the riches and glory in the world.

Claire Sterling pulled herself from her thoughts. Looking at Yvonne Donovan’s weary expression, she spoke earnestly.

"Sean is dead set on marrying Isla Griffith and no one else. If you try to force them apart, knowing Sean’s temperament, he’ll just defy you. You’ll end up driving a wedge between mother and son. You’ll be miserable, he’ll be miserable, and in the end, you’re the one who will suffer the most."

"Then let him defy me!" Yvonne Donovan shot her eyes up, her tone as hard as iron, showing no sign of compromise. And yet, the rims of her eyes were turning red.

"Everything I’m doing is for his future, and for the Sterling family."

"He’s blinded by love right now. He can’t tell right from wrong. Sooner or later, he’ll understand the difficult position I’m in."

Seeing how implacable she was, Claire Sterling felt a wave of helplessness.

"Yvonne, please, listen to me. Being together as a family, safe and sound—that’s more important than anything. Status, reputation... those are all just worldly possessions in the end."

Yvonne Donovan looked at her. The stubbornness in her eyes faded slightly, replaced by a faint glint of moisture, but her expression remained resolute.

"I know you mean well. And I understand your position, I understand why your views have changed. But Sean’s situation is different from Adrian’s. Everything I’m doing is for the sake of the Sterling family."

"Yvonne..." Claire Sterling tried to reason with her again.

"Claire, don’t," Yvonne Donovan cut her off, her voice laced with weary finality.

"I know what I have to do, and I know what lines I cannot cross. It’s getting late. I should be going. You get some rest."

With that, she slowly stood. Her usually proud posture was gone, replaced by heavy, weary steps. She walked toward the door, each movement betraying her profound exhaustion.

Claire Sterling watched Yvonne Donovan’s lonely, obstinate back, feeling completely helpless. She knew further attempts at persuasion were futile, so she simply rose and followed her to the door, silently watching her get into the car.

She didn’t turn back to the living room until the car had driven out of sight, swallowed by the night.

She had just sat down on the sofa when her phone suddenly rang.

Claire Sterling answered the call, her voice still holding a trace of lingering weariness. "It’s so late. Why aren’t you in bed?"

It was Adrian Lancaster on the other end. He got straight to the point.

"Mom, stay out of Sean Sterling and Isla Griffith’s business."