Chapter 71
As soon as Levi got home, he went straight to his study. He'd become quiet again these past few days.
I knew the direct reason for his split with Jessa was Arabella. Without that hurt, they wouldn't have parted ways so quickly.
The twenty million lent to Jessa might be gone for good, but Levi didn't care about that. Seeing someone's true colors was more important than twenty million.
But I could understand him. Just like I'd always loved him - even after all the unpleasantness we'd been through, I still had no regrets.
I only regretted losing myself too much in loving him. If I'd focused more on myself, I'd be better at handling things, instead of feeling anxious every time and having to rely on others.
I ate dinner alone. Levi said he'd already eaten.
Indigo was clearing the dishes. I patted my belly - I'd been eating a bit too much lately and was getting round. If this kept up, I'd definitely gain weight.
"Mrs. Morgan, Mr. Morgan hasn't eaten anything at all. Why don't you ask if he wants something to drink?" Indigo hoped they'd interact more.
"Let him be."
I didn't want to be too pushy. We were married after all - being too deliberate would just make it awkward.
"Hayden, mommy's here to pick you up!"
Cleo shouted at the top of her lungs, probably loud enough for the whole house to hear.
I got up to greet her; otherwise, she'd complain again about me being rude.
"Cleo, have you eaten? If not, I can have Indigo make you something."
Cleo pouted. "I've eaten. I'm here to pick up Hayden, so you don't think I'm bothering you. He has school tomorrow, so I'm taking him back with me."
"Hayden went to the Morgan mansion."
"What?"
Cleo hadn't expected the kid to be at the Morgan mansion. She was annoyed at making a wasted trip.
"I told you I had to go out this afternoon. Hayden went to the Morgan mansion to play with Celestia. He gets bored here."
"I think you just don't want to babysit for me, and you're making excuses."
Cleo put her hands on her hips. "What's wrong with watching a kid for a bit? You deliberately sent him to the Morgan mansion so Grandpa would know, didn't you? You know Grandpa has issues with me."
"What issues could Grandpa have with you? You're his granddaughter, and he likes Hayden, too. Having him there makes Grandpa happy."
"What do you know? If Hayden says something he shouldn't, I won't let you off."
I was angry too. "What could Hayden say? Just don't let Hayden know about your adult business."
"Easy for you to say. I don't believe you and your husband can fight without the kid knowing."
Cleo was very unhappy with me. Her relationship troubles were making her take it out on me.
"Cleo, it's getting late. If you didn't drive, I'll have the driver take you there. Hayden has school tomorrow; you need to pick him up."
"Don't need to remind me. I think Levi's just spoiled you, now you dare make decisions on your own." Cleo was still acting all high and mighty.
I didn't want to waste more time with her. I just wanted her to say her piece and leave. A few words wouldn't kill me, and with her, the nicer you are, the worse it gets.
"Blair, don't forget your place. You were never good enough for Levi. He and Jessa grew up together - he could dump you anytime."
Why was she bringing this up again?
She was unhappy, so she had to curse me?
What a weirdo!
"I know, I know all that. But if you don't leave now, they probably won't even open the door at the Morgan mansion." I was worried that if she went too late, it would disturb Aiden and the others' rest.
Cleo glared at me. "You'd better know your place and behave. Don't cause trouble for Levi."
"Cleo, I don't know what I did to make you criticize me like this. I was being nice, reminding you, but you don't appreciate it. Isn't it a bit much to talk like that?"
I'd been putting up with her, but she kept going at me.
"How dare you talk to me like that?"
Cleo raised her hand. She wanted to hit me?
She'd been pretty bad before, but never physical. Today, she must have eaten gunpowder - trying to hit me in my own home?
"Don't go too far."
Levi appeared behind her, holding a thermos, looking tired.
"Levi, whose side are you on!"
Before, Levi rarely spoke up. When she came to throw her weight around, he'd mostly ignore it. He hadn't wanted to accept me at first anyway.
Actually, I'd gotten used to Levi not getting involved, but I'd also gradually come to cherish his strong protection.
"Hers, of course."
Levi walked to my side, turned around, and stood shoulder to shoulder with me.
"Levi, when did you change your mind? You..."
"She's my wife. Is there a problem with me standing with her?"
Cleo stamped her foot in anger. "I'm still your sister!"
"Being my sister means you can say whatever you want about her? That you can disrespect her?" Levi shot back.
"What kind of spell has she cast on you? You don't even recognize me anymore?" Cleo never expected Levi to take my side.
He pointed toward the door. "I won't see you out."
"Levi!"
Cleo shouted at him. "You're a Morgan - doesn't your conscience hurt treating me like this?"
"She's my person, which naturally makes her a Morgan too. Since we're family, don't treat her like an outsider."
After all these years, this was the first time Levi said I was family. My nose stung, and I almost cried.
"You've gone too far! You're actually saying this about your closest family for her sake!"
Cleo was so angry she didn't know what to say. She probably wanted to hit both of us now.
"She's also my closest family."
Levi suddenly came out with that line, which caught me completely off guard. He'd never stood up to anyone for me before, especially not a Morgan.
"You, you, you - I'm cutting ties with you..."
"Perfect. From now on, take care of your own kid and stop dumping him at my house. I'll let it slide today, but there won't be a next time."
I was stunned. What had Levi eaten tonight? He was saying all these amazing things. This was my first time experiencing what it meant to have a husband fiercely protect his wife.
"Go ahead and act out! Treat me like this! You're all bullying me. Your brother-in-law is no good either, and wants to divorce me. My life is so hard..."
Cleo started crying dramatically. Turns out her husband wanted to divorce her.
"Don't put on a show at my place. Go tell mom and dad - you've loved tattling since you were little. You're really good at twisting the truth."
Levi's words really cut deep. If I were Cleo, I probably couldn't take it either - having your own brother say that about you must hurt.
But he wasn't wrong. Cleo had loved making things up since childhood and always liked to take advantage of it.
"Levi, you brat, have you lost your mind?"
"Goodbye."
Levi pulled me away without looking back, leaving Cleo cursing at him.
Actually, what he did would completely stop Cleo from bothering me. After this fight, she probably wouldn't come around anymore.