Chapter 504

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Fiona ended up losing both her husband and her child .
Fiona totally had the chance to get her name back from Genevieve and go to college like she was supposed to . No matter if she became a teacher or started her own business , things would have turned out great ..
However , love and sweet promises messed up her head . She forgot how tough she used to be and how badly she wanted to get out of that small town .
She had the chance to leave that place behind , but somehow , she ended up right back there and stayed for what felt like forever .
Genevieve got her share of karma too . After taking Fiona’s spot at school , she had to live her whole life pretending to be someone she wasn’t .
After graduation , Genevieve’s family set her up with a teacher , Wesley . He liked her because she had a poetry collection published and thought she was super smart . He had no idea those poems were Fiona’s .
Fiona was the gifted one , while Genevieve was not . To make the marriage happen , she had to keep pretending . She pulled out Fiona’s old work and lied that she wrote it .
In the end , Genevieve got married without much trouble , but once the wedding was over , that was when the nightmare really started .
Wesley seemed like a classy guy , but behind the scenes , he was a drunk and a monster . He beat Genevieve while downing liquor , swearing the pain helped him write .
Life became unbearable for Genevieve . When she finally turned to her family for help , they shut her down . They said divorce was shameful , and that it was better to suffer than be a joke .
All because of family pride , Genevieve kept putting up with the pain , until one night , during another beating , he kicked her hard in the belly . It hurt like hell , and she bled out right there on the floor .
She had been suffering from adenomyosis , and years of abuse had left her body frail . The pain in her abdomen was unbearable . When she regained consciousness , the doctor told her that her uterus had ruptured and that it had to be removed .
Genevieve stared blankly out the window , numb with the realization that she would never have a child again . Her mind drifted back to all the wrongs she had committed over the years .
She thought , ‘ If I hadn’t been so vain and used Fiona’s poetry to get printed , maybe Wesley wouldn’t have even noticed me .
‘ If I had realized what kind of man he was , instead of being impressed by what he did , and if I had the guts to go against my family and get a divorce , maybe I wouldn’t have lost my uterus .’
Genevieve kept thinking about everything for a long time . Then she broke down , covering her face , crying hard . She really regretted taking Fiona’s place at school .
After being discharged from the hospital , Genevieve went to great lengths to find Fiona . Remembering Fiona’s last words about wanting to go somewhere remote , she tracked her down , only to discover that she had built a school there .
Genevieve broke down and poured out all she had been through over the years to Fiona . She cried and kept saying that it was all her fault , and that she never should have pretended to be her .
Fiona pitied Genevieve , yet she couldn’t truly sympathize . After all , it was Genevieve who stole the hard – earned college spot . And if Fiona hadn’t gone looking for her , she never would have met Gordon .
Genevieve said , “ I’ve paid the price now . I’ve cut ties with my parents completely . I just want a fresh start , like you .”
Fiona said calmly , “ Genevieve , what’s done can not be undone . I’m living well under your name , and no one is looking for me anymore .
Genevieve shook her head miserably . “ Fiona , I’m really sorry . If there’s anything I can do to help , just say the word . ”
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Fiona said , “ Forget it . You’re a patient now . What could you possibly do for me ? I lost both my kids . I’ve got nothing . We’re both messed up , just in different ways . ”
Genevieve said urgently , “ Then I’ll go find Gordon . He had no right to treat you that way . I’ll make him pay . ”
“ Forget it . ” Fiona said in an indifferent tone , “ I don’t want to talk about him or see him again . We’re done . Forever . ”
Genevieve felt awful . It was clear Fiona still couldn’t forgive her
Before leaving , Genevieve handed Fiona her contact info , saying , “ If you’re ever in trouble , call
I me . I won’t say no . ”
The memory faded , and Fiona came back to her senses . She smiled and said , “ Therefore , I lived in that small town using Genevieve’s name . I helped those girls who were left alone at home and made sure they went to school .
“ I always told them whatever your age , you need to build someth leave you any time . ”
for yourself . Don’t give up your future for love because the person you love might
As Fiona spoke , she cast a glance at the silent Irene and Heidi . “ I thought I’d die out there – old , sick , forgotten . If Jonathan hadn’t come looking for me , I would never have known that my daughters are still alive . ”
Irene and Heidi both lowered their heads . After a long pause , Heidi forced a smile and said , “ Mom , it was so great we found you . Gosh , Irene and I nearly mistook someone else for you . ”
Irene chimed in , “ Mom , we’ve been waiting and wishing for you to come back every single day . ”
Fiona stared at them and let out a scoff . “ Really ? You don’t look like you want me back . ”
“ You got us wrong . ” Irene and Heidi each took one of Fiona’s arms , gently holding on . “ We wished every day that you were still alive , and we’re so glad to see you doing well . ”
“ Exactly . Honestly , you’re in way better shape than Dad . ”
Fiona let out a soft sigh . A moment later , she couldn’t hold back anymore . She`reached out and gently stroked both her daughters ‘ faces .
Irene and Heidi were well into their middle ages , though they looked quite young . This was the first time someone had touched their faces with such tenderness , so they couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward .
Tears welled up in Fiona’s eyes as she pulled her daughters into a tight embrace . “ I love you . Both of you . ”
For the first time in their lives , Irene and Heidi felt what it was like to be held in such a warm embrace .
Gordon suddenly pushed them aside and clung to Fiona’s arms , joking , “ She’s mine . Don’t you two try to take her from me . ”
Irene and Heidi smiled , saying nothing .
Fiona called Jennifer over and said to them , “ I adopted her . I’ve been there since she was little . Do you think I’m not a good mom ? ”
Heidi choked on her words , her face falling . “ Mom , I didn’t mean it . ”
Jennifer’s face was full of conflicting emotions . She said , “ Ms. Nelson , don’t you blame me ? ”
Fiona said , “ Why would I blame you for anything ? ”