Chapter 600
“No need,” Fernanda responded promptly. “I prefer to go by myself.”
Judie gave her a nod and a warm smile. “Alright then, off you go.” With those parting words, she turned and made her way back into the house, her steps light, reflecting her lifted spirits.
Fernanda was well aware of Judie’s underlying resentment, a bitterness that stemmed from her connections with Fernanda’s mother.
Lacie, Fernanda’s mother, had been a lifelong friend to Martin, and their bond was deep. Lacie’s untimely passing had left Martin visibly devastated.
In his grief, he often spoke of Lacie’s virtues, painting a picture of near perfection.
This constant praise from her husband filled Judie with a simmering jealousy, leading her to believe that Martin still held a torch for Lacie.
Over the years, this feeling had evolved into a profound resentment towards Lacie, compounded by the notion that she could never quite measure up to her in Martin’s eyes.
Thus, Judie’s resentment towards Lacie—and by extension, her daughter Fernanda—had deepened. Upon hearing that Fernanda was to marry her son, her dislike intensified to its peak.
Just now, Fernanda had shared a perspective that resonated more closely with the truth, easing some of Judie’s long-standing bitterness. Martin’s praise of Lacie was not because she was some paragon or because he harbored romantic feelings for her; it was because she was no longer here to contradict the flawless image preserved in memory.
This new understanding lightened Judie’s burden of resentment. Proud yet private, she had always projected a facade of a joyful marriage and a serene life with Martin.
She kept her inner conflicts to herself, never mentioning Lacie to others.
Thus, no one ever approached her with words of comfort. Alone with her thoughts over the years, she had cornered herself into a dead end. She had mistaken Martin’s nostalgic remembrances for romantic longings, believing he remained tethered to Lacie by love. However, the truth was simpler—his fond memories lingered simply because Lacie was no longer there to update them.
Fernanda’s boldness in voicing this truth struck a chord with Judie. With a deep exhale, Judie felt a weight lift off her shoulders, a relief she hadn’t felt in years.
As she stepped back into the house, she was met with the sight of Curran on the stairs, his expression twisted in anger.
“Dad,” Judie called out, surprised to see him still awake.
“Don’t call me Dad!” Curran retorted sharply, his face contorting further with frustration. “You couldn’t even keep Fernanda around. What good are you? You’re all just a bunch of failures!”
Judie massaged her forehead, her expression weary, and walked over to Curran with a soft tone. “Dad, don’t sweat it. I’ll have Bobby scout out someone better down the line.”
Curran’s reply was sharp, tinged with irritation. “Someone better? And just how’s he supposed to pull that off? Do you think I’m clueless about what he can handle? It was nothing short of a miracle Fernanda even gave him the time of day, and now he’s managed to mess that up too!”
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