CHAPTER 77: CHAPTER 77 A DIFFERENT KIND OF ROMANCE (1)_1

Mila Anderson remained silent. Even though she was the legitimate wife, in a large family like this, she sometimes didn’t have the final say. How could she willingly allow the mistress’s son to be brought back? How could she bear to see him every day? Or watch the mistress use visiting her son as an excuse to constantly come to the Horne family home, while she remained helpless? The old matriarch insisted that James Horne was of Horne blood. The old woman valued lineage immensely. Despite siding with me and not accepting Pheobe Rogers, she was willing to accept James Horne. What could I possibly say?

Besides, when Glades Horne was just a few years old, the first time he saw James Horne, who looked so much like him, he declared that his younger brother should grow up by his side. Pheobe Rogers also promised that James Horne would only hold the title of Fourth Young Master of the Horne family and wouldn’t touch any of the family inheritance. Utterly helpless, I had no choice but to agree to legitimize James Horne.

It had been over twenty years. Every time I saw James Horne, I was reminded of my husband’s betrayal, and my heart ached as if it were being pierced. Under such circumstances, how could I be kind to James Horne? I’m not a saint. I’m just an ordinary woman, deeply in love with my husband, a woman who, like any other, is unwilling to share her man. Barely accepting his illegitimate son was already my limit. I was cold towards James Horne, but at least I never mistreated him.

Seeing that Mila Anderson wasn’t speaking, Adele Horne belatedly realized she had brought up her mother’s painful memories and hastily changed the subject to something more festive.

"The wedding is the day after tomorrow, and then I’ll have to see Julia Bluen every day. Mom, I really dislike her," Adele Horne said, looking around the newly redecorated, more luxurious, and festive bridal chamber, clinging to Mila Anderson’s arm and speaking coquettishly.

"Don’t say that in front of your brother." Mila turned and lightly flicked her daughter’s nose. She glanced around the bridal chamber without saying anything, then left with Adele supporting her. "No matter what, she’s already your sister-in-law."

"I will never acknowledge her as my sister-in-law; my only sister-in-law is Orlando Evans! Mom, you don’t know, I saw Orlando today. She’s lost so much weight! My brother treated her so badly, she’s lost all her dignity. She’s heartbroken and devastated; she loved my brother for so many years," Adele Horne complained on behalf of her friend again.

These past few days, whenever she visited Orlando Evans, Orlando had been quiet and rarely smiled. Her heart ached for Orlando, and every time Adele saw Orlando’s sorrowful and aggrieved expression, her dissatisfaction with Julia Bluen grew.

"Is it that exaggerated?" Mila Anderson laughed incredulously. If Orlando could lose that much weight in just two days, she could film a weight-loss commercial.

"Mom," Adele Horne whined.

"Alright, alright. In two days, it’s your brother’s big day. It’s best if you don’t bring up Orlando again, or your brother might revoke your invitation to the ceremony," Mila said lovingly, laughing and flicking her daughter’s nose again.

"You always side with Brother. And you’re clearly not happy about this either," Adele pouted, implying her mother was biased.

Mila Anderson merely smiled and didn’t indulge her daughter’s nonsense.

The mother and daughter descended to the first floor. In the living room, Gian Horne, along with the Third and Fifth Young Masters, sat on the sofa, discussing something. Hearing footsteps, they glanced at the mother-daughter pair without a word before lowering their gazes again.

When Henry Horne and Harry Horne saw Mila Anderson coming downstairs, they both stood up and politely greeted her, "Aunt Mila."

Mila Anderson smiled at them and sat down across from them with Adele Horne.

The old matriarch’s daughter and grandchildren were all busy with the wedding preparations for two days later. The wedding had been secretly prepared even before the date was set, but as it drew closer, there were still some minor details to finalize.

The old matriarch herself, supported by her maid, went for a walk in the Courtyard. The old woman claimed that the air was freshest after the rain. She wanted to breathe in the fresh air outside to live a long life and be able to hold her great-grandchildren.

On her way, Julia Bluen encountered Glades Horne, who had come to pick her up.

"Julia."

Glades Horne stopped his car in the middle of the road, blocking her way. Since he wasn’t parked at the curb, Julia had no choice but to pull over to the side of the road and stop her car as well.

"Glades?" Julia got out of her car, looking a bit surprised as Glades Horne stepped out of his and strode towards her. "Are you heading out?"

Glades stopped in front of her, gazing down. His eyes scanned her from her short hair down to her feet, ensuring she was unharmed. Only then did he ask, "What happened? Your voice sounded a bit off earlier."

He didn’t tell Julia he was there because he was worried about her.

Julia didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she stared at him—deeply, steadily, without blinking. Her expression puzzled Glades; it was as if she didn’t recognize him.

"Julia?" His voice held a hint of inquiry. She had never looked at him like that before.

"Thank you for everything you’ve done for me." After a pause, Julia finally spoke. She had thought she would have so much to say when she saw him, but she could only muster these few words.

"What?" Glades Horne’s brows furrowed. "You called me, so urgently asking where I was, just to say this?"

Julia was silent, feeling a bit ridiculous herself. His kindness to her wasn’t a new thing, so why did it take until now for her to feel so moved?

"Remember this." Suddenly, his strong arms reached out, pulling her into his broad, warm embrace. The scent of his cologne enveloped her as she was drawn in. She realized she actually liked this fragrance. His long arms wrapped around her waist like snakes, pressing her body tightly against his sturdy chest. His deep voice came from above, "We’re husband and wife. No matter what I do for you, don’t thank me. I don’t like it."

Julia said nothing. He didn’t ask why she was thanking him. He must have guessed the reason.

"Pleasant Goat, Beautiful Goat..." The ringtone of "Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf" blared again.