Chapter 140
The moment Effie realized how valuable the gift was, she shook her head in protest. “Mrs. Smith, you’re being far too generous. This is much too expensive-I really can’t accept it.”
“Oh, don’t be silly,” Mrs. Smith replied with a gentle smile. “It’s nothing
extravagant, just something I picked up in a little shop while traveling abroad. I thought it was unique, and since fate brought us together, I wanted to give you a small token of appreciation.”
“Really, Mrs. Smith, it’s not necessary,” Effie insisted, trying to hand the gift back. She knew deep down she couldn’t keep it.
Mrs. Smith hesitated, then spoke with some difficulty. “Effie, the truth is, I wanted to apologize. I’m honestly embarrassed-Rankin had too much to drink last night and behaved terribly. I feel awful about it.”
Effie was taken aback; she hadn’t expected Mrs. Smith to know.
“Mrs. Smith, you really don’t have to-” Effie started, feeling a twinge of sympathy for her.
It probably wasn’t the first time Mrs. Smith had to clean up after Mr. Smith’s
messes.
Effie could see Mrs. Smith wasn’t happy. Especially last night at dinner, when she caught the look of envy in Mrs. Smith’s eyes as Lyman treated Effie with such care. On the surface, the Smiths put on the perfect couple act, but after spending a day with them, Effie knew the truth.
Mrs. Smith let out a bitter little laugh, as if Effie’s silence had confirmed her suspicions, and she decided not to hide anymore. “Effie, you’re a smart woman. I’m sure you’ve figured it out-Rankin and I don’t really have much of a relationship. Our marriage was arranged by our families. We barely met twice before getting engaged, but he seemed decent, honest… and he treated me well, at least at first.”
Her voice caught. She paused, gathering herself.
“If it’s too painful, you don’t have to go on,” Effie said gently. She could already guess the rest-she’d seen enough of these soap opera dramas to know how they ended.
“No, it’s alright. Honestly, just talking to you makes me feel better.” Mrs. Smith gave a sad smile. “All these years, I’ve just put up with it for the sake of the kids. I’m just waiting for them to grow up, that’s all.”
“He was never the faithful type, not really. He just played the part well enough to fool my family. My father, who always prided himself on reading people, was taken in too. He gave Rankin every opportunity, every resource. Once Rankin got what he wanted, his true colors came out.”
“He started openly keeping mistresses, chasing after any woman that caught his eye-even married ones. There was a scandal once, he got caught and someone blackmailed us for millions.”
“I’ve endured it all for the children, and I can’t let my family worry. But at least he’s generous with me—the things I want, he buys. I’ve learned to just go along with it, and whenever he needs me to play the perfect wife, I ask for a little more in return.”
When she finished, Mrs. Smith looked at Effie and managed a strained smile. “It’s a lot, isn’t it?”
Effie sighed. In truth, stories like this were all too common in wealthy families-the same old drama, just with different faces. She’d stopped being surprised a long time ago.
She fumbled for words. “Mrs. Smith, I hope you can focus on yourself and find happiness. There’s so much more to life that’s worth chasing after.”
Mrs. Smith nodded. “You’re right. I really do envy you and Mr. Etheridge.”
Effie fell silent, unsure how to respond. Anything she said would sound like bragging, especially when the other woman’s marriage was so unhappy. There was no need to rub salt in the wound.
Besides, she and Lyman had rushed into marriage. Who knew what the future would hold?
Maybe, eventually, she’d be the one being pitied.
She’d always told herself to guard her heart, not to give it away too easily.
In a strange way, Mrs. Smith’s confession was a warning she couldn’t ignore.