She Quit Her Family and Found Herself novel Chapter 59

Since Sienna was right there, Hulda had no desire to argue with Herbert. Truthfully, there was nothing left to argue about anyway.

"Hulda, who was that?" Sienna asked curiously. She could easily tell that Hulda's mood had instantly soured.

"My husband," she replied honestly.

"What?! You're married?!" Sienna's jaw hit the floor.

"Yeah," Hulda nodded. "But we're getting a divorce. The paperwork is being processed as we speak."

Once her mentor finalized the legalities, she would be completely free of Herbert Jewell forever.

"What a scumbag!" Sienna slammed her hands on the table, her brow furrowed in absolute disgust.

Hulda brought out the food and laughed. "How do you know he's the bad guy? What if it's all my fault?"

"No way," the girl declared fiercely. "Marrying you was the peak of his family's existence. If you're divorcing him, it's one hundred percent his fault!"

Hulda's smile widened. The girl was fiercely loyal.

"So, did you love him?" Sienna asked.

At that age, kids still harbored the purest, most romanticized illusions about love.

But the question actually stumped Hulda.

She paused mid-scoop, genuinely considering it.

Did I love Herbert?

Growing up, she had been forced or driven to learn endless amounts of knowledge. But she had never learned what love actually looked like.

When she had been at her lowest point—lost, helpless, and completely unsure of her future—she had run into Herbert.

Even though their marriage had been born from an unfortunate, messy mistake, he had stepped up and taken responsibility.

Shortly after, she got pregnant and had Miles.

She truly believed she had finally found a home. A home with a husband and a son. A place that belonged entirely to her, a family that would never abandon her.

So, did she love him?

Yes.

She loved him, and she loved their family.

Hulda's eyes darkened, a mocking smile tugging at her lips.

Caspian?

No. Absolutely not.

She had sworn to never have anything to do with the Sterling family ever again.

Besides, Caspian despised her. She was finally on the verge of starting a brand-new life. The last thing she needed was to invite that kind of torment back into it.

...

After breakfast, Sienna helped her clean up.

"Your dad took the first train out this morning. He should be here to pick you up any minute," Hulda said. She had received a call from Brandon at the crack of dawn. Terrified for his daughter's safety, he hadn't slept a wink. He rushed through his business trip and booked it straight home.

Sienna physically recoiled. "I'm so dead. He's totally going to kill me."

Hulda chuckled. "Oh, so now you're scared? Where was this bravery when you sneaked into a club by yourself?"

Sienna pursed her lips, vigorously scrubbing a bowl in the sink.