From His Wife to His Uncle's Wife novel Chapter 271

Jared made a point of visiting Eleanor’s place that weekend, but she didn’t even glance at the jewelry box sitting on the table.

“Jared, next time just turn these things away for me. I don’t want anything from her, and I don’t need her compensation.”

Jared pressed his lips together. “Eleanor…”

He wanted to say something more, but when he met Eleanor’s calm, distant gaze, the words just died in his throat.

Eleanor wanted him to give up trying.

“She told you she bought this for me, didn’t she?”

Right in front of him, Eleanor opened the box. Inside was a simple gold bracelet, nothing flashy.

She held it up to her wrist and said, “Look at the size. I wear a 52. This is a 56. Do you really think this was meant for me?”

Jared went silent.

She didn’t even have to think about it. Eleanor was sure Juliana had bought this bracelet for herself years ago. She even remembered seeing the old receipt in her mother’s purse.

Back then, Eleanor had been desperate, scraping together money for Jared’s medical bills, while Juliana still had money to buy jewelry for herself. Eleanor had tried to comfort herself, thinking maybe her mother was buying it as a gift for her, but that gift never came.

She’d been hurt at the time, but with Jared sick, she had bigger things to worry about and let it go. Now, looking back, she could see that Juliana had only ever seen her as a way to make money. Even Benjamin, her adoptive father, had shown her more love.

Thinking about it just made her feel cold inside.

Jared stared at the bracelet, clearly too big for Eleanor’s wrist, and couldn’t say anything to defend Juliana. Some disappointments don’t just appear overnight. He couldn’t help but wonder how many times Eleanor had had her hopes crushed.

“Eleanor, I’ll buy you one someday.”

Eleanor gave a small smile. “Let’s wait until you graduate first.”

“I just want you to be healthy and happy. That’s enough for me.”

Jared nodded hard, making up his mind never to play messenger between his mother and Eleanor again.

Juliana wasn’t surprised when she got the bracelet back.

“Jessie…”

She didn’t get to finish. Jessie cut her off, sounding impatient. “Why are you calling me?”

“Jessie, Mom’s downstairs at your office. I saw on the news you’re getting married. I don’t have much to give you, but I bought you a bracelet. I hope you won’t mind…”

There was a loud, clear scoff on the other end. Jessie sounded annoyed. “If you know I’ll mind, don’t bring that tacky thing here.”

“Do you have any idea how many important people are coming to my wedding? There’s no way I’d wear something cheap from you. Just keep it for yourself.”

A sharp ache hit Juliana right in the chest. She clutched the shopping bag tighter. “How can you call it cheap? Jessie, I bought this with my own savings. I spent ten thousand on it. How is that cheap?”

Jessie let out a mocking laugh. “I’ve told you, stop calling yourself my mother. Don’t ever call me again.”

“And by the way, my jewelry is never less than thirty grand. So ten thousand is cheap to me.”

“My wedding isn’t your concern. Don’t bother with things you can’t handle. Just stick to being Eleanor’s mother. Got it?”