Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
In the room, Francis was still lying with his eyes closed, as if he had passed out. Still, a mischievous smile at the corner of his mouth betrayed his true feelings.
—
That night, in Francis’s room.
Belland was sitting on a single sofa at the foot of the bed, facing Francis who was leaning against the head of the bed with a sickly pale face. He was holding a cup of hot milk that Mary had just given him.
“I remember you hated hot milk,” Belland said.
Francis smiled. “Tastes change.”
Belland didn’t care. “Charlotte came today. She still wants me to marry Eunice, and she doesn’t believe I’m married.”
Francis raised an eyebrow and didn’t say anything, waiting for him to continue.
“I’m going to tell Mary the truth,” Belland said. “But until then, we have to deal with Eunice.”
Francis had a mocking look in his eyes. “Us? If I remember correctly, this problem has nothing to do with me.”
A hint of exhaustion flashed across Belland’s handsome face. He had to drive back and forth between their neighborhood and New York City every day, and not just because his wife still believed that they were poor and couldn’t afford a residence within the city.
The truth was, Belland was more worried about exposing his wife to his family too early. He knew what his family was like, and the situation he was about to face.
His marriage to Mary was undoubtedly a problem for the Glatton family, and things had now developed to the point where he had no choice but to face it and resolve it.
Francis drank the hot milk and placed the cup on the bedside. “So, what are you going to do about Eunice? As one of the largest mafia organizations in the United States, the Glatton family will not want to offend the Liptons.”
“Maybe you should just wise up, get rid of this ordinary woman, and go back and marry that rich girl you were supposed to marry. Besides, Eunice has a deep affection for you. Maybe she won’t mind your first marriage.”
“Francis!” Belland’s voice turned cold. “Stop your rude words. Mary is much better than you think.”
Francis also put away his casual smile. His expression suddenly changed, as he said, “It was your fault for making that young lady fall in love with you. In the end, the old man arranged this marriage for you in order to let you inherit the family property! In the end, guess what? You disappeared for an entire year, running out here to pretend to be a poor lad, marrying a woman who could never get the recognition of the Glatton Family!”
At this point, Francis sneered, “I guess this is why the old man fancies you. You remind him of how he was when he was young. Maybe, your lovely wife will soon have the same ending as that poor woman?”
Belland clenched his fist, shouting, “Shut up, that ‘poor woman’ is our mother!”
Francis sneered. “No, that’s your mother.”
He narrowed his eyes and continued, “It seems that you and Mary are planning to have a child? You probably shouldn’t, unless you want that child to be like me in the future.”
Belland’s fists were already cracking, but after a while, he leaned back on the chair like a deflated rubber ball. He looked at Francis with guilt in his eyes.
“You know I love Mary.” Belland stared at the tip of his shoes, and his voice was a little hoarse. “If you’re willing to help, maybe you can get close to Eunice.”
Francis narrowed his eyes and looked at Belland. Suddenly, he chuckled, “Because I look exactly like you? So you want me to seduce her? Because I can’t find the so-called love, I’m only qualified to take over your mess?”
Belland frowned. “Don’t be angry, Francis. You know that’s not what I meant. She’s a nice girl. If you get married, maybe she can help you change the current situation.”