Chapter 1897
This was not so much a question as it was an announcement.
Meanwhile, at the Howard Mansion.
The Howards now knew that Ellinor was their long-lost granddaughter, Pearl. However, due to a past case of mistaken identity, their daughter-in-law, Marlinie, and granddaughter Pearl had led difficult lives. The Howards were hesitant to ask Ellinor to rejoin the family. They felt fortunate to even be allowed to attend her wedding!
Any animosity between the Howards and the Blanchets was ancient history. The Howards had no right to interfere with the happiness that Pearl had finally found. If Pearl wished to marry into the Blanchets, that was fine, but if they ever dared to mistreat Pearl, then the Howards would absolutely not stand for it. They would be the staunchest supporters of their granddaughter!
After Marlinie was discharged from the hospital, she returned to her parents’ home. Today, she attended her daughter’s wedding with her family. When she made her speech, she was moved to tears. She bestowed all the blessings she could think of on her daughter, hoping that she would live a life of happiness, health, and prosperity.
Ellinor gave her mother a hug, wiped her tears, and assured her mother.
Not wanting to dampen her daughter’s wedding day, Marlinie quickly left the stage. Her friend, Bertha, handed her a tissue to wipe her tears and fix her makeup.
“Okay, no more crying! Your daughter is marrying the man she loves. That’s a good thing. You’re ruining your makeup with all this crying!”
Marlinie looked at her friend, smiled through her tears, “Bertha, I’m not sad. I’m just so moved! My little Pearl has finally found her happiness!”
Bertha nodded, “Yes, it’s wonderful. They’ve finally ended up together.”
Marlinie took a tissue to wipe her tears, and asked about her friend’s life, “Bertha, how have you been? How’s Thaddeus?”
Bertha smiled, “He’s been sentenced! Ten years. It’s not too long. I can wait for him. It’ll do him good to change his attitude while he’s in there. When he gets out, we’ll live a quiet life!”
Marlinie paused, and then gave a bittersweet yet relieved smile. She opened her arms and gave her friend a big hug, sincerely hoping her friend would be okay.
While hugging Bertha, Marlinie caught sight of McNeil from the Howard table getting up and heading her way.
What was that man coming over here for?
Marlinie jumped back as if shocked, “Bertha! I just remembered something. Let’s catch up over coffee sometime later. We can talk more then!”
With that, she turned and ran off as if she’d seen a ghost.
Lea, who was next to Bertha, tilted her head in confusion, “Mom, what happened to Ms. Marlinie? Why did she run off like that?”
Bertha, who had a hunch about what was happening, turned to see McNeil following in the direction Marlinie had gone.
McNeil politely tipped his hat at Bertha as a greeting, then quickened his pace to catch up to Marlinie.
Bertha sighed and answered her daughter, “Ms. Marlinie is also troubled by love!”
Lea scratched her head, not quite understanding.
Marlinie ran to the garden behind the church before she sat down, held her chest, and caught her breath.
“Marlinie, how long will you keep running from me?”
