Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 74

That evening, the Carrington Manor was a glittering sea of luxury cars. By the time Hester arrived, the party was already in full swing.

Cyrus dropped her off at the entrance and immediately walked away, leaving her to fend for herself.

Miranda, draped in a custom-tailored silk gown with her hair pinned in a flawless updo, looked every inch the perfect high-society matriarch. She glided over from a group of chattering guests, her face breaking into a radiant, motherly smile as she took Hester's hands. "Hester, sweetheart! You must be exhausted from work. I've laid out a beautiful gown in your room. The banquet is starting soon, so let's get you changed."

In public, Miranda's performance was worthy of an Oscar. She never slipped.

Hester kept her face perfectly neutral as Miranda dragged her up the grand staircase, ignoring the sycophantic compliments from the wealthy wives around them.

The moment they reached the second-floor landing, Miranda dropped Hester's hands like they were on fire. The warm smile instantly vanished from her face.

"Could you at least pretend to smile?" Miranda hissed under her breath. "Who exactly are you trying to offend with that sour look on your face?"

Hester let the words wash over her. She was so used to this toxic whiplash that it barely registered anymore.

After Miranda had demanded she accept Caden as her own the other day, whatever fragile thread of affection she had left for her mother had snapped. The only reason she was playing along right now was out of a tired sense of basic obligation.

Miranda marched ahead, pushing open the door to Hester's old bedroom. "Julian is coming tonight. You need to be smart about this. I don't care what is going on behind closed doors—when you step into that ballroom, you will play the role of the devoted Mrs. Weston flawlessly."

No one answered from behind.

Miranda frowned and turned around. Hester was standing in the hallway, staring down at her phone, completely ignoring her.

"Hester!" Miranda seethed. She stormed over and slapped Hester hard on the arm. "Are you listening to me?!"

“Clatter!”

The phone hit the floor.

A sharp sting flared in Hester's struck arm. She frowned, slowly bending down to retrieve her phone before lifting her eyes to her mother. Her expression was devoid of any emotion, her voice completely dead. ""Actually, for all these years, I've wanted to ask you... Is a loveless marriage built solely on profit really that wonderful?"

Miranda froze, taking a few seconds to process the words before snapping back furiously. "Don't give me that self-righteous garbage! Wealthy marriages have always been business transactions!"

Hester had locked it. When she didn't answer, the knocking persisted.

Thinking it was Miranda or another relative, she groaned, pushed herself off the bed, and yanked the door open.

The next second, she stopped dead.

Julian stood in the doorway, dressed in a sharp, immaculate black suit.

Hester's brow knit together. "Julian, we've already signed the divorce papers. You didn't need to show up to something like this."

Julian's eyes locked onto hers. "The divorce isn't finalized yet. We are still married."

"The papers are signed, and we're in the waiting period. As far as I'm concerned, you're my ex-husband," Hester fired back, her tone completely merciless. "There is absolutely no reason for you to be at this party."

Julian didn't flinch. "Until that certificate is issued, I am still your husband. As the son-in-law of the Carrington family, my absence at my father-in-law's birthday party would cause unnecessary gossip."