Series 38
She clenched her teeth in frustration. “That’s just what she made you see. It can be deceiving! As the matriarch of the Wright family, she’s obliged to maintain a facade of grace and kindness! But who really knows what she’s like behind closed doors? Wren, I didn’t realize your affection for her ran so deep. If so, why don’t you just call her ‘mom’ instead? Why acknowledge me at all, your mother, the other woman? And most importantly—if not her, then who would have done it? Are you implying that it was me or your grandmother who poisoned you?”
By the end of her speech, Holley’s tone had sharpened, her words slicing through the air.
Holley’s accusation caused a visible shift in Wren’s demeanor.
Rising sharply from the sofa, Wren faced Holley with a frosty expression. “Mom! Why would you suggest I call her ‘Mom’? I’m simply stating the facts. Why must you twist my words into something like that? And when have I ever blamed you or Grandma? I’ve never harbored such thoughts. Your words wound me deeply.”
Holley realized she had overreacted. Her complexion drained of color as she hastily offered an apology, saying, “I’m sorry, Wren. I let my emotions get the best of me and spoke out of turn.”
She bit her lip, her eyes reflecting sorrow. “I admit, I’m envious of Lily—envious that she married your father and took the title I longed for. And me… I’m just the other woman, scorned by all. I’ve even pulled you into this, marking you as an illegitimate daughter. Your defense of Lily triggered my fears, and I spoke without thinking. Wren, can you forgive me?”
Wren’s response was icy. “Mom, you’re too emotional right now. Perhaps you should be alone for a while and calm down a little. I’m going to my room to clear my head.”
Without awaiting a reply, Wren turned and left for her room.
Holley watched her go, her face etched with regret.
Back in her room, Wren sank into the sofa, sighing deeply.
She remembered Holley’s stories of her young love with Jack, marred by his family’s disdain due to Holley’s modest upbringing.
Lily, the esteemed daughter of the Happer family, had fallen for Jack at first sight at a banquet.
Once Jack’s parents had caught wind of this, they had coerced Jack to sever ties with Holley and wed Lily.
Still in love with Jack, Holley had chosen to remain by his side in secrecy.
In Holley’s heart, she believed Lily was the true interloper, the one who had stolen her man.
Wren never resonated with Holley’s views or her decision to remain with Jack. She quietly disdained the choice.
Yet, Holley was her mother, and Wren believed it was not her place to judge the complexities of her mother’s relationship with Jack and Lily.
As Wren mulled over these thoughts, her phone’s sudden ring snapped her back to the present.
She retrieved her phone, her eyebrows knitting together in a faint expression of resignation when she saw the caller ID.
