Chapter 252
Willow gasped sharply, clearly surprised. She asked, “They have always been very close. Why are they suddenly talking about a divorce?”
Eloise felt a pang of sadness. All of this had to do with Athena, but she didn’t know how to bring it up. Seeing the look on her face, Willow guessed part of it. “Did Fiona hear something from someone, and that’s why she’s upset with Nicolas?” They both knew exactly who that "someone" was. It was Athena.
Eloise didn’t speak, but her silence spoke volumes. Willow, shedding her previously timid demeanor, said angrily, “Athena has gone too far. I’m fine if she dislikes me, but how could she turn on Nicolas like this, when he always protected her so much?”
Since marrying into the Osborne family, Willow’s presence had changed. She no longer appeared as weak as she used to. Eloise noticed and felt pleased. This was how a proper matriarch should carry herself. What she didn’t know was, Willow only acted this assertively when back at the duke’s estate. She knew her parents favored her, and her brothers would always back her up.
“Fiona locks herself up in her courtyard every day, acting like your brother doesn’t even exist. I really don’t know what kind of spell she’s under,” Eloise said with some resentment. If not for Athena, Fiona and Nicolas wouldn’t have reached this point.
Willow quickly tried to comfort her. “Mother, please don’t be angry. I won’t let something like this go on. I’ll go see Fiona right now.” She was now the Marchioness of the Osborne family. Fiona would surely listen to her.
Eloise had no better idea either. Thinking that Willow used to have a decent relationship with Fiona, she nodded in agreement. Willow made her way to Fiona’s courtyard. A servant went in to report her arrival, and when Fiona heard the news, she frowned deeply. She didn’t want to see Willow, but because of her current status, she couldn’t refuse. So she reluctantly said, “Let her in.”
Fiona forced herself to perk up to receive Willow. She saw Willow adorned in fine clothing, decked in gold and jewels, commanding attention and elegance. Even her expression and aura had changed. She had only been married into the Osborne family for three days, and already she carried herself like an official’s wife. “Willow, you’re here. Have a seat.” Though Fiona sounded warm, she remained proper and polite, ordering the servants to serve coffee.
Willow sat down and frowned. Seeing she made no move to drink, Fiona asked curiously, “Is there something wrong with the coffee?” Nona peeked over, her eyes flashing with disdain. She said, “Lady Fiona, please forgive my forwardness, but Lady Willow is not accustomed to drinking this type of coffee.” Fiona’s eyes widened slightly. “Willow, wasn’t this the very coffee you always used to drink when you lived at the duke’s estate?” Willow scolded Nona, “Stop talking nonsense. Step back.”
Nona retreated behind Willow, no longer daring to speak. Willow smiled apologetically at Fiona. “Nona is just speaking nonsense. I grew up in the duke’s estate. How could I not be used to it?” Though she said that, she still didn’t touch the coffee.
Fiona saw the disdain in Willow’s eyes. She was looking down on her coffee. Fiona thought to herself, ‘What kind of fancy coffee do they serve at the Osborne family? Willow had changed her tastes in just three days of marriage.’ But Fiona didn’t say anything. She wasn’t going to argue with someone who had already married out. Besides, she didn’t care much about Willow’s attitude. Fiona thought to herself, ‘With the Monson family’s upbringing, I shouldn’t expect much!’ Fiona smiled faintly at Willow, picked up her own cup of coffee, and took a graceful sip.
“Fiona, I heard you had a quarrel with Nicolas?” Willow felt she had established the right tone and brought up the issue. Fiona’s hand paused mid-sip, a trace of annoyance crossing her face. Willow was a married woman, and yet she was meddling in family affairs like this. She was taking herself too seriously. Since Willow insisted on making things uncomfortable, Fiona decided she wouldn’t hold back. “Where did you hear that?” Her tone was sharp, more like an interrogation than a question.
Seeing Fiona’s face turn cold, Willow realized she had struck a nerve. But she wasn’t there to gloat. She had come to mediate. So she smiled and said gently, “Fiona, we’re family. If anything is bothering you, just tell me. If Nicolas upset you, I’ll definitely stand up for you.” Fiona found Willow’s smile almost unbearable to look at. If Nicolas hadn’t spoiled Willow endlessly, she wouldn’t have the nerve to say such things now. Her confidence came from him.
“So how exactly do you plan to stand up for me?” Fiona asked, her tone mocking. “I’ll slap Nicolas twice, hard. Let’s see if he dares bully you again,” Willow replied with a sweet, playful smile. She thought it was just a small lovers‘ quarrel. She had no idea that Fiona’s heart had already been shattered by Nicolas. The more she smiled in front of Fiona, the more repulsed Fiona felt. Fiona chuckled softly. “You do care for me. Since you know I’ve been wronged and came to stand up for me, I won’t ask for much. Just help me get the divorce papers, and let me take Cedric away from this den of wolves.” The words “den of wolves” grated harshly on Willow’s ears. Fiona was cursing not just Nicolas, but Willow as well.
Willow’s smile slowly froze. She spoke with greater weight. “Fiona, what are you saying? Couples argue sometimes. That doesn’t mean you go straight to divorce. Besides, if you do leave, how will you hold your head up in front of others? Gossip alone could drown a person.” Taking the child and leaving the household. How ridiculous. Fiona’s smile remained fixed as she challenged, “Didn’t you just say you’d stand up for me?” Willow was momentarily at a loss for words. She mumbled, “I said I’d help you vent your anger, but I never said I’d help you get divorced.”
Fiona had never expected Willow to be of real help. Her words had only been meant to toy with her. Seeing Fiona go silent, Willow thought she had struck a chord, and kept pushing. “I don’t mean to meddle, but you really need to think clearly. Don’t let a few careless words from outsiders ruin your relationship with Nicolas.” She added, “As for who that outsider is, I won’t name names, but I think you know. Think about how Nicolas has treated you since you married into this family.” Fiona’s eyes turned sharp as she stared at Willow. “And who exactly is this outsider you’re talking about? I really don’t understand. What do you know about me and your brother’s problems? Now you’re blaming it all on someone else?” “Willow, you weren’t this gossipy before. How is it that the moment you get married, you turn into one of those old women gossiping on the street corner?” With that, Fiona lifted her coffee again.
Willow’s eyes widened in shock, part anger, part disbelief. She had just been scolded by Fiona. Worse, she was being kicked out. It was as clear a dismissal as it could be. “Fiona, are you kicking me out?” Willow’s face turned pale with anger. She had come in good faith to help, and this was what she got in return.
Fiona’s expression didn’t change. “Was I not obvious enough? Then let me make it clear. You’re not welcome here. Don’t come into my courtyard again.”