My Secret Husband Is My Cold Boss novel Chapter 76

Willa's screeching was finally cut off when the car door slammed shut.

"I'm sorry."

She had tried so hard to manage the situation, but this meet-the-parents visit was still a complete disaster.

Once in the car, Wendy immediately apologized to Sampson.

Sampson didn't reply right away. He simply watched her in silence for a few seconds. "Living here... it must have been really hard for you, wasn't it?"

Wendy had been drowning in guilt, but hearing his gentle words made her turn to him in absolute shock.

A tidal wave of emotions hit her chest.

All the past grievances, the forced endurance, the unfairness, and the constant neglect...

A bitter lump formed in her throat. She swallowed hard and asked him, "Why would you ask that?"

Sampson glanced out the window, looking back at the courtyard of the house.

"Willa's attitude toward you wouldn't exist unless the adults in that house explicitly allowed it."

That was why Sampson had intentionally called Kimberly "Ms. Watson" instead of "Mom" before leaving.

He understood all the suffering she had endured without her needing to say a single word.

Wendy let out a weary but relieved smile. "I should be thanking you."

"Since my grandmother passed away, no one has ever stood up for me like that."

The smile on Wendy's lips carried a trace of bitter sorrow.

"Is there something else besides the issues with Willa?" Sampson asked her.

They had been living together for two months.

He didn't believe Wendy was the type of person to completely sever ties with her family over a few verbal arguments.

And then there was the rushed blind date and sudden marriage...

Sampson was brilliant and incredibly perceptive, and Wendy had always known it.

Under his steady gaze, she didn't want to lie.

"Yes."

"But... let me think about how to say it before I tell you."

Sampson looked into her eyes, meeting her gaze steadily. "Okay."

"I'll wait."

The car pulled out of the residential complex.

Just as the gate barrier lifted, another car drove into the opposite lane.

There was no heavy club music, just a quiet acoustic performance on stage.

The bartender recognized Sampson and immediately tried to lead them to a private booth.

"Can we just sit at the bar?" Wendy asked the waiter.

She came to a bar for the lively atmosphere, to feel surrounded by life.

Right now, she desperately needed external distractions to pull her out of her emotional spiral.

The waiter didn't answer right away, glancing at Sampson instead.

He knew the boss's friend. Dr. Sanders preferred silence, which was why he always took the most secluded booth whenever he visited.

"Listen to her," Sampson nodded.

It was still early, so the place wasn't packed. They were the only two sitting at the bar.

The waiter handed Wendy an iPad with the drink menu.

It was filled with a dazzling array of fancy names. Wendy rarely drank, so she didn't recognize a single one.

Sampson leaned over, resting his arm on the counter, and swiped to a specific page on the menu.

"Pick from these. We both have work tomorrow, so don't choose anything too strong."