After Rebirth, I Replaced My Ex-Husband's True Love-Chapter 68: Trouble at Home

Seeing Joel Sutton’s reply, I didn’t respond immediately. Instead, I opened the camera and examined myself closely.

Hmm, I am indeed quite beautiful. Whether it’s my natural features or the environment I grew up in, I’m not lacking.

I’ve only ever felt inferior in front of Henry Preston because he didn’t love me, which made me feel I wasn’t good enough.

A few minutes later, I replied: I’m a fairy, thank you for the compliment.

Joel Sutton sent over a laughing emoji, and I couldn’t help but laugh too. After chatting with him for a bit, I finally succumbed to the drowsiness and fell into a deep sleep.

"Zoe, Zoe?" In the morning, I heard my mother-in-law knocking on the door.

"Mom, what’s wrong?" I replied groggily.

"Is Henry Preston in the room? His car is gone, and he’s not answering his phone!" my mother-in-law asked loudly.

I picked up my phone to check the time; it was already nearly nine in the morning.

Henry Preston should have returned to City A by now; he just hadn’t told my in-laws. I yawned, got out of bed, threw on a coat, and opened the door to find my mother-in-law standing there.

"Mom, there was a bit of an emergency at the project in Dihua that needed his attention, so he rushed back late last night." I made up an excuse for Henry Preston.

"Oh, that’s why he didn’t pick up," my mother-in-law nodded, still slightly skeptical. "I understand, get up and have breakfast so you’re not hungry."

I replied, "Okay, I’ll change and come down right away."

My mother-in-law then went downstairs. I closed the door and returned to the room to first send Henry Preston a message on my phone, telling him about my conversation with my mother-in-law.

Then I changed into some clothes and went downstairs to have breakfast.

The other elders of the Preston Family had already gone home last night. I was the only one who stayed over. My father-in-law had gone to the office, so it was just me, my mother-in-law, and a few servants at home.

We chatted about daily life over hot porridge and freshly steamed seafood buns, feeling very relaxed.

At that moment, Henry Preston replied to my message: Hmm, got it.

Not even a "thank you," how rude. I didn’t want to reply to him anymore.

"Zoe, if Henry ever treats you badly or dares to fool around, you must tell me. Don’t worry, your mother-in-law won’t stand for it." After breakfast, my mother-in-law said earnestly to me.

In the past lifetime, although she was against Henry being with Azure Vaughn, she never told me such things, at most gently reminding Henry for the families’ benefit.

It was all my foolishness.

Since the beginning, my relationship with Henry was arranged by our families. From a certain perspective, my in-laws were always satisfied with me as a daughter-in-law. Had I been smarter and placated them more, they would’ve certainly favored me, greatly easing the strain in my and Henry’s rocky relationship.

I didn’t understand this in the past, thinking that winning over Henry meant winning over the entire Preston Family, without establishing a strong enough relationship with my in-laws. As a result, when they discovered Azure Vaughn, they could only oppose for a while, unable to hold out longer.

"Mom, Henry’s been much better lately, don’t worry." I replied obediently. "I feel so guilty, making you and Dad worry so much."

"Nonsense, the one making us worry isn’t you; it’s that rascal Henry!" my mother-in-law quickly corrected me. "Zoe, the reason your father-in-law and I brought you together with Henry was because you’re different from other girls."

I was a bit taken aback.

My mother-in-law sighed and continued, "Henry has been popular with girls since he was young, causing us worry as he grew up with loads of bad influences. Many women liked him, including those with matching family backgrounds, but only you’ve remained by his side for five years. Your father-in-law and I saw this and knew marrying you was Henry’s blessing."

I was still staring blankly at my mother-in-law, unsure how to respond.

She smiled warmly, patting my hand. "Zoe, it’s because we like you as a person that we hoped you’d be our daughter-in-law in The Preston Family, not just for any benefits, you know?"

"Mom..." I choked up a little, unable to express my feelings, nodding instead. "I understand."

If only I had known this in the past lifetime, things wouldn’t have ended with me against the entire Preston Family.

I had followed Henry so diligently for many years but never managed to open his heart. Fortunately, my in-laws saw it all and acknowledged me.

With my mother-in-law’s genuine approval, living under the same roof with her was very comfortable and harmonious. However, I wondered when Henry, who said he’d come to get me, would actually come?

It’s been three days already!

Ivan Underwood asked after me every day, wondering if I’d returned, worrying that my family’s housekeepers wouldn’t take good care of Bonnie.

I replied, exasperated: Do you think my housekeepers are cat abusers?

Ivan: Not at all, just thought you’d be more attentive.

He’s so ridiculous. After sending him a "goodbye" emoji, I tossed my phone aside.

Just as I was lying incapacitated on the sofa, my mom called, and I answered as usual, sweetly saying, "Mom, do you miss me?"

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, then my mom’s suppressed, choked voice came through, "Zoe, please come home!"

I was alarmed, sensing something unsettling, and asked, "What’s wrong? Mom, are you crying? What happened? Where’s Dad?"

"Just come home, your dad and I are waiting for you," my mom didn’t answer my questions, simply saying this and hanging up.

Unable to call back and ask more questions, I quickly found my mother-in-law and asked her to arrange a driver to take me back to City A.

My mother-in-law asked what happened for me to be in such a rush. I didn’t explain in detail, just mentioned a family emergency that needed my immediate attention.

Without saying much more, she promptly arranged for a car to take me back to City A. Before I left, she reminded me, "Zoe, call me if anything happens."

"Okay, Mom, I’m heading off now." I nodded heavily, emotions weighing on me, as I sat in the car.

After several hours of driving, I returned home. My parents were in the living room; the atmosphere was extremely oppressive and depressing, with occasional sobs breaking the silence.

On the coffee table in the living room, a mess of photos was scattered about. I went over to look and my expression immediately darkened.

The photos were of my dad in intimate situations with a woman, against the backdrop of a hotel room, the two of them lying on a bed with naked upper bodies exposed, albeit covered by a sheet.

My dad looked awful, sitting there stiffly.

"Now that Zoe is back, you tell her!" my mom wiped her tears and said through gritted teeth to my dad.

"Dad, what’s going on?" The shock I felt was no less than my mom’s. In my mind, my parents were the most loving couple in the world; my dad never cheated. Their relationship influenced me, making me believe I could win Henry and build a happy life with him.