Private Marriage, Secret Love-Chapter 57: Don’t They Know Who the Mistress Here Is
"You’re so busy with work. How could you have time to treat anyone to a meal?"
"If I offer, I’ll make the time."
Raina Reddington glanced at her watch. Her stomach was rumbling loudly. "Aren’t we going straight home? Where are we going now?"
"We’re going to Mom’s to see my sister."
"Okay."
The car pulled into the Lancaster Family estate. As Raina got out, she saw another familiar car parked right at the entrance. Ethan Lancaster grabbed the things he had bought and prepared to go inside.
"Come on."
Raina nodded and followed behind him. In the entryway, Ethan got her a new pair of slippers. Jessica Jacobs was entertaining guests and hurriedly stood up when she heard them. "You’re back, you’re back."
She took a few steps forward and, upon seeing Raina, waved her over. "Raina, your mother and sister are here too."
Raina followed Jessica into the living room and saw Mia Reddington sitting obediently in a wheelchair, with Zoe Scott on the sofa next to her. She went over and greeted her, "Mom."
"Raina and Ethan are back."
When Ethan Lancaster saw Zoe Scott, he had no initial reaction, but finally, he spoke. "Mom."
"Your mother came this afternoon and even brought so many things. Really, she’s too kind."
"It’s what we should do." Zoe Scott wanted Raina to come sit with her. Ethan Lancaster saw this. Ever since Zoe had slapped Raina in public, Raina hadn’t contacted her family.
He took Raina’s hand and led her to sit on the opposite side. Jessica Jacobs picked up some pastries from the coffee table and offered them to her. "You must be hungry after the long drive. Have something to tide you over."
"Thank you, Mom."
Jessica placed a hand on Raina’s shoulder. "We have Raina to thank this time. She’s the one who snatched Zion back from death’s door. My dear in-law, you’ve truly raised a wonderful daughter."
Hearing this, Mia Reddington couldn’t help but tighten her grip on the water glass in her hand. Zoe Scott knew she was sensitive and quickly asked, "Raina saved a life? What do you mean?"
Jessica thought of the York Family and seethed with anger. "That shrew from the York Family is so ignorant and stupid! Zion was having a difficult birth, and she actually refused to allow surgery. If Raina hadn’t been there at that moment..."
Some things were better left unsaid. Zoe looked at her daughter across from her. "My dear in-law, please don’t say that. Raina is a doctor; this is what she’s supposed to do."
"That may be so, but the situation was critical. And... it was at another hospital. If she had made any mistake during that surgery, her career would have likely been over..."
Hearing this, Zoe couldn’t help but blurt out, "We’ve always been against her being a doctor. For a young woman who’s married into such a good family, wouldn’t it be better to have a child and manage the household? So, my dear in-law, you don’t have to think of it that way..."
Jessica’s expression froze for a moment. Seeing Raina remain silent, Ethan felt the urge to speak up. "There’s nothing in the house that needs managing. It’s great that she has something she loves to do."
"It’s our fault too. We didn’t teach her properly when she was young, so she doesn’t understand a lot of rules."
Hearing this, Jessica’s face showed a hint of displeasure. "The Lancaster Family doesn’t really care about such things. You shouldn’t worry about it."
"Yeah," Ethan chimed in. "Free-range is usually better than caged. I like Raina just the way she is. Mom, she’s your pride and joy too, isn’t she?"
’My pride?’
Raina, who had been nibbling on the pastry, paused. ’I’m afraid I’m just a disgrace to the Reddington Family.’ No one had ever spoken up for her like this. She pursed her lips and smiled at Ethan.
Ethan raised his eyebrows at her, as if trying to curry favor. ’See how great I am? Don’t you ever say I’m talking nonsense again.’
Mia gritted her teeth in anger. ’That "caged" comment... wasn’t he talking about me? What is Ethan trying to say?’
Jessica Jacobs invited Zoe Scott and Mia Reddington to stay for dinner, then went to the kitchen to check on the preparations.
Mia put her water glass on the coffee table. "Mom, I need to use the restroom."
"Okay," Zoe stood up and called Raina over as well. "Raina, come help us."
Raina stood up, but Ethan reached out to stop her. "Did your little sister’s legs get injured that badly? Does she need two people to help her use the restroom?"
Mia’s face went pale. Zoe glanced at Raina beside her. "That’s not it, it’s just that Raina is familiar with the house..."
She quickly pushed Mia’s wheelchair away. Raina led them to the restroom and gently closed the door.
Zoe tried to help Mia up, but Mia pushed her away. "Don’t touch me."
"Mia, what’s wrong..."
Mia slapped her own legs forcefully. "Every word my brother-in-law says is barbed, and you heard it all! But whose fault is it that I ended up like this?"
Raina was long used to her unreasonable tantrums. "If you need to use the restroom, then go. Can you even hold it?"
"Raina!" Zoe lowered her voice. "Mia is right. Even I was uncomfortable with what Ethan said..."
"Then you should have told him so. Told him you were unhappy and that he should shut up."
"You—"
A cold sneer formed on Mia’s lips. "Sister, look how good your life is. Everyone’s protecting you now. And for what? Just because you performed one surgery?"
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Mia quickly fell silent.
"Raina, come out."
Raina took a step toward the door. Mia tried to grab her, but she had already pulled the door open.
Ethan Lancaster was leaning against the doorframe. After Raina stepped out, she pulled the door closed, but the sound of their conversation still passed through it.
"What’s taking so long?"
"We just got in here."
"She has someone to take care of her. They only called you in there to lecture you. Are you their punching bag?"
Raina knew the people inside could hear, and she smiled as she tried to pull Ethan away.
The man glanced back at the closed door. "Acting so high and mighty in my house. They seem to have forgotten who the lady of the house is."
Mia’s face was ashen. At dinner, she barely ate a few bites before putting down her chopsticks and urging Zoe to take her home.
On the way back to The Verdant Garden, Raina leaned back comfortably and closed her eyes.
The car stopped at an intersection. No one noticed another car following them from a distance.
Passing a mall, Ethan saw a flower stall by the entrance and told the driver to stop the car.
Raina saw him push open the car door. "What are you doing?"
"This is to welcome you back, but I didn’t prepare anything."
Raina laughed, trying to pull him back. "You’re so silly..."
Ethan was already out of the car. Seeing this, Raina followed him.
It was freezing outside. Raina subconsciously tightened her collar. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
Ethan walked briskly ahead. Raina went around their car to catch up, but just then, the car that had been following them suddenly accelerated. The woman in the driver’s seat gripped the steering wheel, her eyes fixed only on Raina. Her foot, clad in a high heel, slammed down on the accelerator. The car shot forward like a bolt of lightning.
Completely unaware, Raina had no idea the car was hurtling straight toward her.
