She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 91

In the blink of an eye, New Year's Eve arrived.

With the addition of a child to the family, Matilda was in exceptionally high spirits. That afternoon, she came downstairs to bask in the sun and pulled little Annie close, handing her a thick, generous holiday envelope.

The sweet little girl called out, "Great-Nana," making the older woman's eyes crinkle with joy. She cast a meaningful glance at Hilda’s stomach; Eleanor had already told her that the young couple had been very affectionate lately.

Hilda grabbed a woven blanket and draped it over Matilda's legs.

The older woman patted her hand. "Good girl."

Then, she handed over another holiday envelope.

It was a bank book, filled with a staggering string of zeros.

Hilda didn't dare accept it.

Matilda lowered her voice. "This is because I care for you. It's not that I don't love Luther's mother, but Eleanor's side of the family is powerful. They've provided well for her, so she lacks nothing. You, on the other hand, are the one I worry about. You have a little one to raise; how can you survive without a safety net? Hold onto this. It's not just for you, but a guarantee for little Annie's future."

"But two billion is just too much," Hilda whispered.

Matilda folded Hilda's fingers over the book, closing her eyes with a soft sigh. "I have no use for this money anymore. Hilda, my life has been well worth it. I can leave this world with no regrets. I truly never thought I would live to see the two of you reconcile, or see little Annie grow up so beautifully."

Hilda's throat tightened.

She felt a deep wave of guilt toward the older woman.

Back then, it was Matilda who had favored her and championed her marriage into the Sanford family.

But she and Luther didn't love each other.

Regardless, she would never speak of those things to the matriarch. She only wanted her to be happy.

Just then, Luther walked over.

The villa was as warm as spring. He wore only a tailored blue dress shirt, looking striking and handsome. Fresh from a nap, there was a casual, tousled edge to his appearance. He crouched down in front of his wife, grasping Hilda's hand with a slight smile. "What secrets are you two whispering about?"

Matilda patted his cheek. "Don't you dare bully Hilda."

Luther deliberately played along to amuse her—

"How could I ever dare bully her?"

"She's the one who bullies me every single night."

The words carried a heavy implication.

Matilda's eyes narrowed into a delighted smile again.

Hilda, however, was incredibly uncomfortable. Once they retreated to the east bedroom, she shoved the bank book into Luther's chest, scolding him. "How could you say something like that to her?"

Luther reached out and pulled.

Hilda walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Get up."

"It's going to be too late to go downstairs."

"The staff is almost ready to serve New Year's Eve dinner."

Luther twirled the unlit cigarette in his fingers, his dark eyes fixed intently on his wife. After a moment, he murmured, "Go fetch me a fresh shirt. The one I was wearing is covered in your mess."

With that, he reached out and stroked her cheek.

The implication was crystal clear.

His gaze dropped to her swollen, rosy lips.

A look of pure reminiscence.

His sex life with Hilda was flawless.

This was probably the real reason he had made such a decisive choice.

Men were ultimately easy creatures to appease. When their physical desires were fully met, matters of the heart and grand declarations of love suddenly weren't so difficult to leave behind.