Chapter 503
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 cannot 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.”
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 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 something for yourself. Don’t give up your future for love because the person you love might leave you any time.”
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?”