Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 717

Besides, the old man was twenty years older than her. At this point, he probably couldn't even get it up anymore.

More importantly, she had accepted long ago that no matter what she did, she would never be recognized as his legitimate wife.

If her son hadn't proven to be exceptionally capable, the Blake family would never have acknowledged their existence.

The comfortable life they allowed her to live now was already a massive compromise.

Years ago, the old patriarch had been furious that she'd tricked her way into his bed, gotten pregnant, and nearly destroyed his marriage. In his rage, he had threatened to ship her and her son out of the country and sell them off to human traffickers.

The old man hadn't shown a shred of paternal affection for his own flesh and blood. It was only after his legitimate son passed away—and he witnessed Sebastian's sheer business brilliance—that he finally compromised for the sake of the corporate empire.

Otherwise, she would have been left with nothing. They had wanted to leave her and her boy to rot in the streets.

Even now, they had only truly accepted Sebastian. When they brought him into the fold, they had relentlessly threatened and restricted her.

In the past, she had bodyguards watching her twenty-four hours a day. It was only after a few years of peace that they begrudgingly gave her a fraction of her freedom back.

If it hadn't been for that tiny sliver of independence, Bella would never have been able to whisk her away to Northwyn in the first place.

"Debbie," Bella chirped, interrupting her thoughts. "My mom recently found this incredible country club. She checked it out, and the environment is gorgeous. It caters exclusively to high-society clients. She wants to take up chess and painting to relax, but she's been complaining about not having any company. Why don't you go keep her company?

"You know how it is. With all that drama blowing up online, she's been feeling pretty down.

"She'd be absolutely thrilled if you went with her."

Debbie scoffed inwardly. *Sure, your mom will be thrilled, but what about me?*

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