The Best Revenge It Wasn't Even Your Child novel Chapter 189

Fiona cleared her throat, acting like nothing had happened. She was determined to just let the awkwardness slide.

“Your grandpa’s going to love this present. Come on, open it up.”

Ableson realized he’d said the wrong thing, but he caught Fiona’s cue and went along with her. “Alright, let’s see what you got.”

He took the gift and peeled away the fancy wrapping.

Adelina bit her lip, sneaking a look at the man beside her.

“Sit,” Lance said quietly, his lips barely moving as he spoke.

It was hard to tell if he really hadn’t noticed Ableson’s slip, or if he was just pretending, the same as Fiona.

Adelina’s stomach twisted. If Catherine had always been the thorn in her side, now it felt like she was a blade buried right in her heart. Even if no one talked about it, the pain wouldn’t go away.

“Grandpa, Grandma, Catherine—”

The room had only just settled down when Sophia pushed open the door, calling for Catherine as she walked in. Her words froze as soon as she saw Adelina.

Total silence.

“Honestly, child, why do you always have to be so loud?” Fiona shot Sophia a look. “Come over here and help your grandpa open Adelina’s gift.”

Sophia swallowed whatever she’d been about to say. “Okay.” She walked over to help Ableson with the present.

Adelina’s birthday gift was a tea set that easily cost six figures. The blue porcelain was rimmed with gold, the kind of thing anyone could tell was expensive from across the room.

But if there was one thing Ableson didn’t need, it was more expensive things. His house was full of tea sets and knickknacks, some even pricier than this.

Still, he managed to say, “Adelina has good taste.”

“We’ll put it somewhere nice at home,” Fiona chimed in, her smile gentle.

Adelina felt a sour ache building in her chest, but she forced a smile anyway. “I’m glad you like it, Grandpa.”

“Sophia, take care of this, please,” Ableson said, handing her the box.

Sophia carefully wrapped the tea set back up and set it on the coffee table.

Another wave of awkward silence rolled in. The tension just seemed to linger.

“You two are just as bad as each other,” Sophia muttered, plopping down between them. “Neither of you can talk.”

Both Ableson and Fiona turned to look at her.

“And who’s always going on about Catherine? Who just ran in here shouting her name?”

Sophia couldn’t think of anything to say.

***

Downstairs in the banquet hall, Lance and Adelina barely made it through the doors before they were surrounded by guests. There was no way to escape.

Adelina stood next to him, smiling and chatting until her cheeks started to ache. Eventually, she found an excuse to slip away.

Belinda and Sarah were busy entertaining a group of wealthy ladies.

As soon as Belinda saw Adelina coming, her smile grew even wider.

“Just look at my son,” she said, “such a clueless guy when it comes to women. Adelina is a saint for agreeing to marry him. He just left her there on her own, but thank goodness she’s so understanding.”