Filed to story: Shattered Vows (Venessa Windsor) Book PDF Free
Everyone in the Pierce family fell silent.
They dared not reveal the extent of the severe injuries on Venessa’s body, let alone discuss her experiences over the past four years, fearing that Vera couldn’t handle such a strong shock.
Madison, the instigator of last night’s bar incident, was so apprehensive that she didn’t dare breathe too heavily, fearing that Vera would find out she was responsible for Venessa’s recent injury.
She could fool Gabe and Harriet, but in front of the shrewd and elderly Vera, she lacked confidence.
Vera had always doted on Venessa, treating Madison with an indifference that stirred envy and resentment within her.
Noticing the atmosphere becoming awkward, Harriet tactfully changed the subject. “Um… Mom, now that Vena has been released from prison, you can attend Madison and Cole’s engagement party, right?”
“What’s the rush? The date hasn’t even been set yet!” Vera frowned as she spoke.
Harriet sighed and said, “Mom, if you hadn’t been so reluctant, this engagement would have happened two years ago. You’ve already delayed things with Wavy because of Vena. If you keep dragging it out, Wavy will be left on the shelf. All we need is your agreement, and the engagement party can be held anytime.”
Vera huffed, “Well, go ahead and handle it then. Why should you concern yourselves with an old woman who’s one foot in the grave?”
“Mom, what are you talking about? We all respect you deeply. The engagement party is such a grand affair. If you don’t attend, it will make our family the laughingstock of Jexburgh.”
Vera’s eyes, vibrant and sharp, narrowed slightly.
“Let them laugh then. Vena’s life is more important. In these past four years, all of you only cared about Madison. Who has ever cared about Vena? Would you have been willing to put in the effort to save Vena if I hadn’t used this excuse to stall you? Four years, a full four years! Do you have any idea how much hardship Vena has endured? Have any of you ever cared?”
As Vera spoke passionately, she was seized by a fit of severe coughing.
“Grandma, please stop talking,” Venessa pleaded. “You’ve just had surgery. You can’t afford to get so worked up.”
In haste, she wiped away her tears and comforted her with gentle pats on the back.
“You’re a good girl, Vena. You’ve always been the best. Everyone in this house owes you. From now on, you’ll live with me. As long as I’m around, no one is allowed to bully you. If they try, they’ll have to deal with me!”
“Mom, Madison is your granddaughter too. How can you be so biased? When it comes to hardships, Wavy had it tougher growing up. Vena only went through hardships for four years, but Wavy suffered for eighteen. She-“
“Mom, let’s not discuss this right now. Grandma just woke up and the doctor said she can’t handle any stress,” Gabe interrupted her.
Only then did Harriet stop talking.
She stood beside Madison, gently patting the back of her hand and offering a comforting gaze, implying that she would ensure her engagement party with Cole went off without a hitch.
Venessa’s emotions remained unsettled for a long time.
Her earlier conversation with Vera and Harriet had left her both touched and in awe.
Surprisingly, Vera had actually stepped in to save her by putting pressure on the Pierce family.
She even used her refusal to attend Madison and Cole’s engagement party as a threat.
There was no denying she had expended a great deal of effort.
“Vena, you’ve always liked Cole, so what do you think about marrying him?” proposed Vera.
That single sentence left everyone astounded.
“Mom, what nonsense are you talking about? The person engaged to Cole now is Madison! How can we possibly let Vena marry him?” Harriet strongly objected.
“This marriage arrangement was a pact the old man and I made with Old Mr. Lockwood. I have the final say on who gets married!”
As she spoke, the elderly Vera turned her gaze toward Venessa.
“You don’t need to worry. I can arrange for you to marry into the Lockwood family. With their protection, no one will dare to mistreat you in the future. I’m getting old and won’t be able to protect you for much longer. I hope that when I’m gone, you’ll have a strong support system.”
So that was the reason.
Venessa couldn’t help but tear up again. Vera was always going to great lengths to consider her needs.
However, Venessa didn’t like Cole anymore…
She was just about to voice her refusal when Madison suddenly burst into tears and said, “Venessa, I truly like Caz! Please don’t compete with me for him!”
“Vena, how could you compete with Madison for a man? You’re well aware of the hardships your sister has endured growing up in your biological mother’s household! You’ll forever be in her debt!”
Faced with Harriet’s accusations, a sharp pang of pain involuntarily seized Venessa’s heart.
People often say the one who raises you deserves more gratitude than the one who gives you life.
Harriet had raised her for eighteen years, for which she was deeply grateful. She cherished their mother-daughter bond.
Yet now, her mother was blatantly favoring her other daughter and speaking to Venessa so harshly.
She stared blankly at Harriet.
“The hardships Madison experienced weren’t my doing. If I had a choice, I would have preferred never to enter the Pierce family. I would have preferred never to have met you.”
“Vena, I didn’t mean to blame you…” Harriet’s lips quivered as a lump lodged in her throat.
She looked at Venessa, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.
In the end, she closed her mouth and refrained from uttering any further words of blame.
Growing anxious, Madison tugged at Harriet’s sleeve, pleading, “Mommy…”
“You don’t need to worry. I’m not going to fight you for a man.”
Venessa gave her a cold stare, then turned to address Vera.
“Grandma, there are two things I need to tell you. First, I will not be getting engaged to Cole. Second, I no longer have any feelings for him.”
“But you used to be so fond of him! Your world practically revolved around him!”
“That was in the past, but things are different now.” Then, Venessa teased with a laugh, “Grandma, if you’re trying to find me a strong support system, then you should arrange a better marriage candidate for me. Either way, I’ll never marry Cole. I would rather marry a dog than ever consider him!”
Cole, who had just arrived, happened to hear that.
She’d rather marry a dog than him?
What was Venessa implying? That he was no better than a dog? No, it seemed like she was outright stating it!
At that moment, Cole’s face was black as thunder.
