Filed to story: Shattered Vows (Venessa Windsor) Book PDF Free
Despite her efforts to avoid being noticed, Harriet caught a glimpse of her figure. Without missing a beat, she immediately gave chase.
“Vena, can I have a chat with you?”
“What do you want to chat about?” Venessa looked at her, her face devoid of any expression.
“Could you perhaps keep your distance from Cole? Your sister’s had a hard life since she was little. I’m begging you. Don’t fight her for Cole.”
“Mrs. Pierce, what makes you think I haven’t kept my distance from Cole?”
“I’ve heard all about it. Cole went to Lorimer Estate to take you home and even invited you to his birthday banquet. There’s no smoke without fire. Unless… it was you who-“
Venessa interrupted coldly, saying, “Are you implying that I seduced him?”
“Vena, there are plenty of good men out there. Your grandma will help you find one, and so will I. It doesn’t necessarily have to be Cole.”
Harriet let out a deep sigh, her words laced with a subtle hint of warning.
“Mrs. Pierce, if you’re worried about me buzzing around, then perhaps she should consider buying a chain to secure your future son-in-law!”
Growing tired of the pointless chatter, Venessa turned around and walked away.
She couldn’t understand why Cole and Madison couldn’t resist getting intimate during the birthday banquet.
Their relationship must be pretty solid, right?
Why did she come out of nowhere to reprimand me?
Is it because I seem easy to bully, so they’ll step on me whenever they feel like it?
Three days later, Vera was insistent on being discharged from the hospital.
Venessa accompanied her back to Pierce Manor.
From her childhood to adulthood, she would regularly spend some time staying at Pierce Manor with her grandmother.
Every brick and tile and every blade of grass and tree there were filled with a sense of familiarity to her.
Returning to the room she once lived in, Venessa had a good sleep that night.
This was the first full sleep she had after getting out of prison. She felt content, and her mood had somewhat improved.
Unexpectedly, at noon, the tranquility of Pierce Manor was shattered by the arrival of the Pierce family members.
Aside from Alaric, everyone else had arrived.
Madison presented a gift, diligently offering it to Venessa, trying to please her as she said, “Venessa, you went to Lorimer Estate on behalf of Gabe to apologize, perfectly resolving the conflict. I’ve bought you a present as a special thank you.”
“Thank you,” Venessa said flatly, placing the gift on the table beside her.
“Venessa, aren’t you going to take a look? It’s a necklace. The pendant is even in the shape of a four-leaf clover, your favorite.”
“Necklace?” Venessa scoffed.
“Have you forgotten? I ended up in jail because I stole a necklace. Do you think I’d be interested in a gift like this? Are you trying to disgust me?”
Venessa deliberately emphasized the word “stole” and didn’t give Madison a pleasant look.
Madison’s eyes instantly reddened. “Venessa, I didn’t mean to upset you. Gabe mentioned that you have a fondness for clover jewelry, so I painstakingly chose this four-leaf clover necklace for you.”
Gabe’s face was ashen, and he interjected impatiently, “I was the one who helped Madison in choosing this necklace. If you want to blame someone, blame me, then! Also, when I was choosing the necklace, I simply forgot about that incident from four years ago. Do you really have to be so sarcastic about it? Here we are, all cheerful and happy, but you just have to bring up the past and spoil the mood for everyone. Does that make you happy? Is that it?”
A trace of sorrow swept past Venessa’s eyes.
Gabe is truly protective of his sister, huh?
In the past, he had always protected her in the same way. No one was allowed to bully her. He would fight anyone for her.
Now, after having a different sister, he simply cast her aside.
No matter what she said or did, it was always wrong…
“What’s all the commotion?” Vera emerged from her room, leaning on her walking stick.
Venessa didn’t want to dampen everyone’s spirits, least of all her grandmother’s. So, she decided to change the subject, saying, “Grandma, we were discussing what dishes the housekeeper should cook later.”
“They should definitely prepare some honey-glazed ribs and baked salmon. Those are your favorites, Vena.”
Vera held Venessa’s hand, expressing her affection dearly.
Venessa responded to her with a sweet smile.
The discomfort from the necklace incident she was feeling vanished in an instant.
Having lost her doting older brother, who had cared for her since childhood, it was only with her grandmother now that she could find some comfort and love.
Harriet emerged from the bathroom, and immediately, Madison threw herself into her arms, sobbing as she spoke.
“Mom, I’ve messed up. I’ve angered Venessa…”
Upon understanding the whole situation, Harriet continuously comforted Madison while casting a displeased look at Venessa.
“It isn’t a big deal. Why do you have to make your sister cry? She only meant to surprise you out of goodwill!”
The atmosphere suddenly turned oppressive and heavy.
Vera defended Venessa, saying,
“Mom, Venessa only spent four years in prison, but Madison endured eighteen years of hardship! What’s wrong if Vena gives in to her sometimes?”
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were at odds over this matter, their arguments reaching a point of no resolution.
Gabe glared fiercely at Venessa.
“Are you happy now? What was supposed to be a joyous moment turned into a squabble between Mom and Grandma. This is all because of you!”
Venessa remained silent, feeling as if all the anger deep within her had turned into bitterness.
She was clearly making concessions and deliberately changing the subject to gloss over the matter.
