Chapter 243
Chapter 243
Chapter 243
“Indeed, you each have your designs, and all you do is for the sake of the Monson family.” With that, Margaret looked up at the sprawling duke’s estate, her eyes brimming with nostalgia.
But it only lasted for a fleeting moment. Her gaze soon turned resolved.
“Since this is how things stand,” she said, “I shall sever all familial ties with you p>
Her words left everyone utterly stunned, especially Athena. Tears burst from her eyes like floodgates giving way.
Guilt and self–reproach overwhelmed Athena.
Just a moment ago, she thought Margaret had come to stop her from cutting ties with the family.
But never in her wildest dreams did she imagine Margaret was trying to save her by doing so.
‘Grandma stopped me because she didn’t want me to suffer. But for my happiness, she cut off her lifeline, Athena thought, anguish twisting in her heart.
If Margaret proposed severing familial ties, even the authorities couldn’t intervene because it wasn’t about filial piety.
Once the legal severance papers were filed and notarized, Margaret would have no ties to the Monson family.
People would only say Margaret had lost her mind, turning her back on her family.
All the blame and disgrace would fall squarely on her shoulders.
‘No one in the duke’s estate will be implicated. Grandmother is severing her lifeline, all for my sake,‘ Athena thought guiltily.
“Grandmother.” Athena dropped to her knees at Margaret’s feet, choked with sobs. “Please, don’t sever your family ties. I want you to live happily and at peace p>
Athena thought, “My grandmother should be enjoying her golden years, not spending her old age in disgrace, scorned by everyone p>
With tears in her eyes, Margaret gently stroked Athena’s hair and said with a soft chuckle, “My dear, come away with me. We shan’t stay in this duke’s estate any longer p>
Only at that moment did Henry and Eloise finally snap out of their daze.
They stared at Margaret in utter disbelief. Tears welled up in Henry’s eyes as he pleaded, “Mother… How could you disown your son for Athena’s sake p>
Henry was Margaret’s eldest son, raised solely by her from infancy.
After giving birth to him, Margaret’s health suffered irreparable damage, and all subsequent pregnancies ended in heartbreaking miscarriages.
Yet she lavished Henry with boundless maternal devotion.
‘How could decades of mother–son bonds be–severed so abruptly?‘ Henry thought.
He burst into tears like a forsaken child. “Mother, I’m your son! How could you cast me aside p>
“Our paths diverge,” Margaret said with unexpected lightness, as if liberated at last. “These gilded halls have confined me for
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Chapter 243
a lifetime. Now I want some peace for myself, and it’s also for Athena’s sake p>
Margaret’s gaze rested on Athena, her eyes brimming with aching tenderness.
She gripped Athena’s hand tightly. “She is the rightful daughter of the Monson family, yet you’ve hounded her to the brink of despair. If you won’t cherish her, I will p>
Tears welling in his reddened eyes, Nicolas stepped forward, sobbing, “Grandmother, I’m your grandson too! Why can’t you show me some compassion p>
“Nicolas.” Margaret’s eyes clouded with disappointment. “Your father may be blind to reason, but must you follow his folly? As you said, family comes first. You show kindness to others, yet reserve nothing but cruelty for your sister, Athena.
“I once believed that, given time, you would come to see reason. But I was wrong, gravely, profoundly wrong p>
At this point, Margaret turned to Athena, her eyes filled with guilt and deep remorse. “Ever since Athena returned to this household, you have never treated her kindly. You’ve used her as a pawn in your schemes, thinking only of lining your pockets.
“She is the rightful daughter of the Monson family, not a pawn for you to move at your whim p>
Margaret’s final words rang out with conviction.
Her commanding gaze slowly swept across the room. Everyone she looked at instinctively lowered their heads, unable to meet her eyes.
Then, Margaret turned to Henry, her voice firm yet measured. “Considering I gave you life and raised you, it’s not too much for me to claim the East Wing, is it p>
Eloise’s heart lurched. The duke’s estate consisted of the East Wing and the West Wing.
Only the East Wing was initially built, during the family’s golden age, which explained its exceptionally lavish decor.
The family’s resources could no longer keep up when they expanded the West Wing.
Outwardly, it looked impressive, but inside, everything was just cheap and shoddy.
Moreover, the East Wing alone took up nearly two–thirds of the duke’s estate.
Margaret claimed the lion’s share of the estate with just a few words.
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.