Chapter 417
Suzan froze, her eyes filling with hurt as she looked at Mitchell. “Why?” she asked softly.
Mitchell met her gaze, his brow furrowing. “Does everything need a reason? I just don’t want to see you right now.”
He couldn’t stand the thought of anyone, especially another woman, seeing him in such a humiliating state.
Adeline, who knew Mitchell better than anyone—after all, she’d carried him for nine months-could read his thoughts as clearly as if he’d spoken them aloud.
She stepped over to Suzan, her voice gentle. “Sweetheart, why don’t you go home for now? I’ll talk to him about the rest.”
Suzan’s lips pressed together in frustration, but after a moment’s hesitation, she nodded, swallowing her pride.
“I understand. I’ll wait for your good news,” she said to Adeline before turning to leave.
Mitchell’s frown deepened as he glanced from Adeline to Suzan’s retreating figure. Something wasn’t adding up. He had a nagging sense that the two women were hiding something from him.
Once they were home, Adeline finally revealed the whole story.
Mitchell felt like he was about to explode. “No. I don’t want to marry her.”
Adeline fixed him with a piercing look, as if she could see straight through to his soul. “If you don’t want to marry Suzan, then what—are you planning to marry Effie instead?”
Mitchell’s eyes widened, his lips pressed into a hard line as he fell silent. Deep down, he knew it was true. Effie was the only woman he’d ever truly wanted to marry.
Adeline’s voice shot up, sharp as a whip. “Don’t even think about it, Mitchell! Effie has nothing to her name. I will never allow you to marry her!”
“Even if you refuse to marry Suzan, it’s still not going to be Effie. Is that clear?” There was disappointment and anger in every word.
Effie might be beautiful, but she’d already been married once-damaged goods, in Adeline’s eyes.
She’s not good enough for my son!
“And besides, there were conditions attached to getting you out. I’ve already made a promise to Suzan, and even if you’re not willing, it’s not up for debate!”
“Mom! How could you make that decision without me?” Mitchell snapped, frustration boiling over.
Adeline shot back, “What else was I supposed to do? Nichols doesn’t care about old ties, and I was out of options. That’s why I had to agree to Suzan’s terms.”
“Your father tried to blackmail me with that illegitimate son’s birth certificate. Even if he really could help you, I would never agree to his terms. Do you understand?”
Mitchell felt like something heavy was pressing down on his chest, suffocating him. He couldn’t see a single way out.
Helplessness washed over him, wrapping him in a cold, tight grip. He could hardly breathe.
***
“Honey, have you ever heard of the Crawford family?” Marcia asked as she brushed her hair, glancing at Fowler Etheridge.
Fowler’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Why bring up the Crawfords? The current head of the family is vice president of the business association-quite an influential man. What’s this about?”
Marcia’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she set down her
brush and turned to face him. “At the party the other day, Mrs. Crawford suddenly mentioned our Fidelia. She said she’s really fond of her.”
Fowler blinked, surprised, then a glint of excitement lit his eyes.
“Are you serious?”
Marcia nodded. “Absolutely. I’m sure Mrs. Crawford has taken a liking to Fidelia. She held my hand the whole time, asking all sorts of questions about her.”
Fowler grinned. “Then what are you waiting for? Strike while the iron’s hot!”
Marcia smiled back. “If you think the Crawfords are a good match, I’ll make sure to follow up.”
Fowler nodded approvingly. “The
Crawfords might not have as much wealth as the Etheridges, but they’ve been pillars of the business community for generations,
now they’ve produced a vic
president. That says a lot. If we join families with them, maybe they can help us out. Do you think I’d have a chance against Lyman with their support?”