Chapter 597

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Cheryl had returned to the Lynn residence . Donald waited until the whole family had gathered before telling Cheryl , “ Actually , today is Mom and Dad’s wedding anniversary . ”
Cheryl had no idea about this , and Werner tooked visibly awkward . He’d completely forgotten the day , his eyes flickering with a mix of guilt and shame .
Seeing the blank look on Werner’s face , Cathy felt her heart plummet yet again .
“ Celebrate what ? What’s even worth celebrating ? ” Cathy muttered bitterly , then turned and walked straight to the kitchen alone .
“ Mom ! ” Cheryl called out sweetly as she ran over and wrapped her arms around Cathy’s shoulders , putting o fault for not telling me sooner . Let me order you some flowers right now , okay ? ”
on her most charming pout . “ It’s all Donald’s
Cathy said flatly , “ No need . ”
“ But I’m still going to order them anyway , ” Cheryl insisted playfully . “ Let me check with Donald if he’s ordered a cake yet , if not , I’ll just get both together . ”
Cathy stayed silent , her face unreadable .
The children had arranged this anniversary celebration for her and Werner , but as the wife in this marriage , Cathy had absolutely no desire to mark the
occasion .
Only she knew that if it weren’t for the kids , she would have had it out with Werner long ago .
Donald ordered some takeout . Since Jennifer was working late and couldn’t make it , it was just the four of them .
“ Mom , Dad , you’ve both worked so hard all these years , ” Donald said as he poured red wine into two wine glasses , handing one to Werner and the other to Cathy .
Cheryl teased playfully , “ Come on , Mom and Dad , how about a sweetheart toast ? ”
Werner chuckled and looked at Cathy . “ Well , since the kids said so , why don’t we have a sweetheart toast ? ”
Cathy’s glass slipped from her fingers and crashed to the floor , shards scattering everywhere , an ominous sign of things to come . With an eerily calm expression , she said flatly , “ Go get the broom and clean this up . ”
“ Mom , let me get this . You don’t want to cut yourself , ” Donald said , quickly standing up .
Werner pressed his lips together , his expression strained as he set down the solitary glass in his hand .
Cheryl propped her chin on her hand , looking puzzled as she asked Werner , “ Dad , what’s up with Mom ? ”
“ Your mom’s perfectly fine , ” Werner said without missing a beat , casually picking up some food for Cheryl as he continued eating ,
Cheryl pouted . “ Dad , don’t you think Mom’s acting kind of weird ? There’s nothing going on between you and her , right ? ”
Werner reassured her , “ Your mother and I are perfectly fine . Don’t go reading into things . ”
“ Oh , right ! Dad , what about that car you promised me ? I’ve already gotten my driver’s license , ” Cheryl said excitedly .
Werner’s hand , holding the fork , froze mid – air . He fidgeted and stammered , “ I already ordered it for you a while back .”
Cheryl pressed impatiently , “ So when exactly will my car get here ? I’m dying to drive it . ”
Werner replied , “ Soon . ”
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‘ How soon is ‘ soon , exactly ? Will I be able to drive it this month ? ” Cheryl pressed eagerly .
Faced with Cheryl’s barrage of questions , Werner averted his gaze , unable to give her a straight answer .
With the broken glass cleaned up and Donald still busy in the kitchen , Cathy had just settled back into her seat when Cheryl went over clung to her , mother’s arm , and pouted , “ Mom , Dad said he ordered my car . When exactly is it coming ? ”
Cathy’s eyes finally flickered with emotion . Her lips twisted into a bitter smile as she said flafly ,
Cheryl froze . “ What do you mean ? ”
Cathy shot Werner a sharp glare , then snapped at Cheryl , “ Go ask your dad . ”
“ Your car is gone . ”
and gift