The Best Revenge It Wasn't Even Your Child novel Chapter 8

“This one’s for Garrison. Belinda, could you keep it for him?”

Belinda’s face lit up. “You always think of everything. Lance goes on trips and never brings us anything…”

Sophia let out a quiet laugh and leaned in toward Catherine. “She never smiles like that when you bring her gifts.”

Catherine’s hand tightened on the edge of her shirt. Adelina had it all. She came from a good family, was effortlessly pretty, always knew the right words to say. Most of all, she was the one Lance liked. Of course Belinda doted on her.

Catherine never had that kind of charm. She never said the right things. Her own family background was nothing special.

She forced a smile for Sophia, trying to look calm even though she felt like she was sitting on a bed of nails. As soon as she saw her chance, she spoke up.

“Grandpa, Grandma, Belinda, Adelina, I’m going to head out now. I won’t keep you.”

She grabbed her bag and stood up.

Fiona looked disappointed. “But I thought you were staying for dinner.”

“I can’t, I have something to take care of.”

Catherine nodded politely to Ableson and Fiona. “I just wanted to wish you both a happy new year in advance. I hope you stay healthy and everything goes well.”

Inside, she added a heavy goodbye.

Fiona really didn’t want her to leave, but with Lance back, she knew Catherine would feel awkward, so she didn’t ask her to stay longer.

“Sophia, show her out, will you?”

“Sure,” Sophia said, getting up to follow Catherine.

“There’s no need,” Catherine said, noticing Belinda’s sour expression.

She hurried her steps, but had barely slipped her shoes on when Lance’s voice came from the stairs.

“Catherine.”

“Catherine, go already!” Sophia pushed her toward the stairs. “If you don’t, he’ll make me do it, and then he’ll just yell at me for messing it up!”

Whenever Lance worked from home, Sophia always got dragged in to help. She had no choice, and if she didn’t do it right, she’d get scolded.

To her, Catherine was a lifesaver. She hustled Catherine into Lance’s study and shut the door behind her with a loud bang.

The noise made Lance glance up.

Catherine was bundled up in a loose black puffer jacket and a fluffy white hat. She had on flat shoes.

It was a far cry from her usual look—always heels and business suits, maybe a wool coat on colder days. She always looked so put-together, so professional.

Lance thought about it. In all the time they were married, even on her days off, he’d never seen her wear flats or a down coat.

“You didn’t work today?”