Chapter 6
The Fitzwilliam family sent Colin’s older brother, Oliver, to deliver their congratulations. Oliver was the son of Charles Fitzwilliam and his first wife, the rightful eldest heir to the Fitzwilliam name. After Oliver’s mother died, Charles remarried Belinda, Colin’s mom.
Ever since Colin was born, Oliver had slowly been edged out of favor and kept a low profile, holding only a minor stake in the family business.
Along with the gift, Oliver brought a business proposal for a joint project between Fitzwilliam Enterprises and the Morgans. It was a peace offering for me not marrying into their family, and a gesture to appease my father.
Hunter and my dad welcomed him warmly.
Over tea, Oliver also passed along news about Colin.
On Colin’s wedding day, a scene blew up in the streets even before the newlyweds had stepped inside. Everyone in the Fitzwilliam circle already knew what had happened.
On their so–called wedding night, Colin and Denise had a massive fight.
Denise tore through the bridal suite, smashing everything in sight as sobs wracked her body. She cried that Colin had never loved her, that his vows were nothing but hollow lies. He had fooled her heart and stolen her innocence under false promises.
Colin was livid. “The wife I wanted was poised, elegant, someone with class. Look at you now! You’re screaming like a street shrew. You’re an embarrassment. If I’d known how foolish you really were, I never would’ve given up Lucy for you!”
He sneered, voice dripping with contempt. “You say I took your innocence? Please. If you were really so innocent, you wouldn’t have given in that easily. Don’t kid yourself, Denise. You’re no saint. All you ever wanted was to become Mrs. Fitzwilliam.”
He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “You want the wealth, the status, the name, but you still want to play the martyr, too? That’s not how this works.”
From the very beginning, Belinda had never liked Denise.
And Denise, being utterly clueless, went crying to her the very next morning.
“Mom, Colin didn’t even spend the night with me. I don’t know where he went looking for pleasure, but he left me alone in that room. He must still be thinking about Lucy. You have to stand up for me.”
Belinda looked at her icily. “You can’t even hold your husband’s heart on your wedding. night? If this is how you start your marriage, how are you supposed to keep it together later? And Colin is our family’s future. There’ll inevitably be other women. Do you expect me to go to war every time one shows up?”
Still poised, she gave Denise a side–eye and sharply said, “I thought the Smythes were a prestigious family, I assumed they raised their daughter to be educated and level–headed. But you? You’re weak and useless. I’m deeply disappointed.”
Then she turned to Colin. “Denise was your choice, Colin. The girl I picked is Lucy Morgan.
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She’s from a noble family, a true lady, the perfect match. And yet you weren’t satisfied and went for this girl from a small, insignificant family. She’s not fit to be your wife. How do you expect her to support you? What else can she do besides sulk and stir up trouble? Whem you’re out socializing, I’m sure she’ll only make things worse.”
Shaking her head, Belinda reproached, “You made this mess. Handle it yourself. If your household is in chaos, don’t expect to achieve anything. Your father’s already watching closely. Don’t let him down.”
Then she informed him, “Your brother Charles has been doing well lately. Your father’s impressed. If you keep going like this, don’t be surprised if your position slips.”
Colin was frustrated after their conversation. He knew his mom was right.
Denise had no clue how to navigate the noble social scene. Frustrated and worn down by her constant weeping, he took his mother’s advice and began spending time with Anna Lewis, a socialite from Lakeside’s Lewis family.
He paraded around town with Anna on his arm like she was the real Mrs. Fitzwilliam. Mrs. Fitzwilliam adored her and often brought her along to events, treating her as the ideal daughter–in–law.
Meanwhile, Denise wallowed in misery, drowning in her own self–pity. By the time she realized she was being completely replaced, it was too late.
In the Fitzwilliam estate, Anna had already become the de facto lady of the house.
Denise finally exploded, making another scene at the mansion. But no one paid her any attention. Worse, her rage triggered complications with her pregnancy, and she lost the baby.
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