Chapter 12 You Should Be Grateful
Dina returned to Summit Bay, where Joseph was already waiting in the foyer.
He passed her a sealed envelope with a warm, respectful smile. “Mrs. Woodward, Clyde spilled everything, just like you predicted. Belinda was the one pulling his strings. The audio recording of his full confession is right in here.”
He leaned in closer, voice dropping. “Plus, I’ve dug up that his connection to Belinda… isn’t exactly aboveboard. Could be an affair. We’re still recovering data from his phone, but once that’s done, it’ll be rock–solid evidence.”
Dina thought, ‘An affair?‘ If that got out, it’d hit Blair and Eileen like a ton of bricks. She was kind of excited to see it play out. Dina traced her fingers across the cool envelope, a cold gleam flashing in her eyes. “Thanks for all the effort, Joseph.”
“It wasn’t my effort, really, it was-” Joseph slapped a hand over his mouth halfway through. He thought, ‘Oh man, almost ratted out Hank.‘ One wrong word, and Hank would have his head.
He added, “Anyway, Mrs. Woodward, Darren’s 70th birthday is just five days away. Will you be able to make it?” Darren Woodward–the one who still called all the shots in the family. Grandpa to both Blair and Hank.
In past years, Dina had always shown up to celebrate his birthday… as Blair’s wife. Now, though, she’d be there as Hank’s. The change in roles was bound to ruffle feathers, challenging the Woodward family’s prestige and clout head–on.
Darren was sure to give her the cold shoulder.
Dina balked at the idea. She had zero desire to go, but given her new status, bowing out wasn’t really feasible.
“Mrs. Woodward, Mr. Woodward went ahead and picked out a gift for you to present: a famous painting, ‘Empire’s Solitary Heron Canvas.‘ Darren’s been obsessed with art these days; this’ll thrill him.”
Dina paused, caught off guard. Hitting his sweet spot… the painting might just take the edge off, so he wouldn’t grill her too harshly. Hank had thought of even this small thing.
“is he… planning to come back for the party?” She couldn’t resist asking in a quiet voice.
A quick spark of mischief crossed Joseph’s eyes, but he kept his expression dead serious. “Mr. Woodward’s dealing with some real headaches abroad. Doesn’t look like he’ll make it back. But rest easy, Mrs. Woodward. If anyone so much as tries to mess with you, he’ll drop everything and race home, no matter the distance.”
She thought, ‘Race home? Joseph is really piling it on.‘
Never mind the ten–hour–plus flight from overseas. With the way things actually stood between her and Hank, there was no way he’d jet back just to back her up.
Dina brushed off Joseph’s exaggeration. Honestly, it was probably better this way, no awkward run–in with him.
The Woodward family estate was lit up like a Christmas tree on party day.
Dina walked into the familiar grand hall, but everything about her role there had flipped on its head.
“Well, well, look what the cat dragged in!” A shrill, biting voice cut through the chatter.
Eileen sauntered over, eyeing her from head to toe with pure disdain. “Weren’t you all high and mighty, running off like that? What happened, couldn’t make it on your own, so now you’re slinking back with your tail between your legs?”
She cranked up her volume on purpose, drawing stares from the guests around them. “A barren good–for–nothing who can’t even pop out a kid, besides my kindhearted Blair, what guy in his right mind would take you?”
Her jab got a few nearby aunts chuckling along.
They stared at Dina like she was some pathetic sideshow, dripping with mockery and contempt.
Dina gripped the gift box containing Empire’s Solitary Heron Canvas, her tone flat and cold. “Who said I’m here for your family?”
“Then what else could it be? Ha–Darren’s hitting seventy, and it’s all hands on deck for the family. Skip out, and you’d be persona non grata in Woodward family circles forever. At least you’re not completely clueless. You know when to prioritize. Throw all the fits you want, but you still have to show up for the birthday bash.”
Eileen smugly admired her fresh manicure. “Enough already. The party’s in full swing, and I’ve got no time to stand here jabbering with you. Once it’s wrapped, hustle home and brew up some soup to boost Belinda’s milk supply. It’s running low, and my grandson’s going hungry.”
Right at that moment, Blair appeared at the entrance, cradling the swaddled baby, with Belinda leaning weakly on his arm. 1/2 ATMOBILENAM
Chapter 12 You Should Be Grateful
Side by side, they painted the perfect picture of a cozy little family.
“Oh, Belinda, what are you doing out here? I told you to stay home and rest. What if you pick up some lingering issue?” Eileen hurried over, full of worry, and looped an arm around Belinda supportively.
Belinda looked worn out but managed a soft, determined smile.
She said, “Mom, it’s Darren’s big seventieth. A milestone like that? As his granddaughter–in–law, I couldn’t possibly sit it out. Besides, I wanted to bring the baby along to pay our respects and let Darren meet his great–grandson… Sure, he’s premature and delicate, but that doesn’t mean we skimp on showing our devotion.”
“Ah, that’s my Belinda, always so considerate and dutiful.” Eileen glowed with satisfaction, then shot Blair a pointed look.” Blair, Belinda’s still fragile from delivery. You need to look after her carefully…”
She trailed off as she saw him already striding forward, making a beeline for Dina.
He fixed his eyes on her, a smile creeping across his face, his gaze lit up with delight.
He’d assumed he’d have to hold out until the recognition party for her to cave and make amends, but here she was, showing up today. She clearly still had feelings for him.
He said, “Dina, I’m thrilled you came.”
His gaze shifted to the tiny, sleeping face nestled in his arms, his voice turning tender. “Look, this is my son, the Woodward family’s grandson. Doesn’t he take after me? Want to hold him? Going forward, he’ll be calling you Mom too.”
Dina thought, ‘Hold him?‘ She stared at the small bundle, her chest aching like a blunt knife was twisting in it over and over.
This was the child who’d laid bare just how pathetic and pointless her three–year marriage had truly been.
“Belinda endured absolute hell to bring him into the world, and now you get to play Mommy? What a sweet deal for you,” Eileen muttered, clearly put out.
The nearby relatives jumped right in, piling on without missing a beat.
“In families like ours, a woman who can’t produce an heir gets shown the door. Count yourself lucky, Dina, you landed a loyal guy like Blair and a big–hearted gem like Belinda for a sister–in–law.”
“Spot on, from here on out, you’d better cherish Belinda’s kid like he’s your own blood. Show some real gratitude for her generosity.”
The group closed in around Dina, droning on with their lectures, acting like granting her the chance to raise this child was the ultimate act of charity. If she didn’t bow down in thanks, she’d come off as a heartless ingrate, too arrogant for her own good.
Dina caught the sly malice in Belinda’s glance and knew exactly what she was up to, baiting her into a stubborn refusal so this flock of relatives could tear her apart with their gossip. The venom was thick enough to touch.
Darren’s party had only just kicked off, and already this crew was stirring up trouble and heaping on the insults. All because they assumed Dina had no one watching her back.
Dina raised her eyes, meeting Belinda’s stare head–on, her lips twisting into an icy smirk. “You sure… you want me holding him?”
E
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