Chapter 20
Rachel casually brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, revealing a delicate emerald bracelet on her wrist. The bracelet shimmered. with a gentle glow, its serene green somehow strikingly bold.
Stella’s eyes widened in disbelief. That bracelet was the O’Brien family heirloom, traditionally passed down to the doughters–in–law. But Deanna O’Brien, Haynes mother, had never liked Stella. Even after Stella had Keen, Deanna remained indifferent, barely acknowledging her presence.
Deanna always preferred women from prestigious backgrounds and wasn’t fond of Rachel either. She had played a part in breaking up Haynes and Rachel back then. Ironically, Haynes had married Stella, whom they all looked down upon. The entire O’Brien family treated her like an outsider. Even the staff at the O’Brien Mansion mocked her, believing she had schemed to marry into the O’Brien family
For the first few years of their marriage, Deanna couldn’t stand the sight of Stella and barred her from setting foot in the mansion during holidays. But as Keen grew up, his resemblance to Haynes became undeniable, and his sharp wit eventually softened Deanna’s stance, She even handed the heirloom bracelet to Keen, instructing him to give it to his future wife one day.
Keen clutched the heirloom like a dragon guarding its hoard. “Grandma says this stays locked up tight til I pick a wife, came his miniature patriarch’s decree. “No bracelet, no wife!” His grave recitation of Deanna’s dogma had sparked laughter.
But the situation felt like a cruel joke to Stella. The bracelet seemed to leech warmth from the room, its ancestral whispers hissing cruel truths: You were never one of us.
Noticing Stella’s gaze, Rachel smirked with challenge and triumph in her eyes. “Keen gave this bracelet to me, she boasted, “He said it’s for the O’Brien family daughter–in–law. He didn’t give it up even when his mom asked for it.”
Stella remained silent, watching Rachel’s performance unfold. Rachel continued, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “He wants me to be his mom, the O’Brien daughter–in–law.
“Oh, by the way, Ms. Cameron, did you know a family event this weekend that requires both parents to attend?”
Family event? The mention jogged Stella’s memory. A few days ago, Haynes came home early for dinner. While in the kitchen, she overheard Keen talking to Haynes about an “event” and “Rachel.” When she returned to the dining room, Keen stopped talking, not wanting her to know. At the time, Stella’s aversion to Rachel had reached a peak. She couldn’t stand hearing her name spoiling their rare family time, so she didn’t press the matter.”
Rachel’s voice snapped Stella back to the present “Keen mentioned all his classmates” moms are either socialites or celebrities, and it’s embarrassing for him to say his mom is a housewife.”
With a sly smile, Rachel leaned closer and whispered, “Do you know what Keen tells people about you? He says you’re his nanny, so you always bring him lunch and pick him up from school.”
