Chapter 15
Bianca smiled smugly and was about to speak.
"What's all the commotion about?"
Everyone froze. Victoria instinctively turned toward the voice, spotting Aiden’s grandmother, Delta King, being supported as she descended from the second floor.
The relatives who had been so aggressive just moments ago now fell silent, one by one. No one dared say another word.
Some looked guilty, others pretended nothing had happened.
Victoria alone lifted her gaze to Delta, parted her lips, then faltered, words failing her entirely.
Delta was the kindest person to her in the entire Smith family.
Could she really speak words that would wound Delta? Aiden, however, didn’t pause for her hesitation. His thin lips lifted in a faint, unreadable smile as he guided Bianca forward. "Grandma, let me introduce you. This is the best designer in my company—Bianca."
He paused, then looked down at Bianca. "Bianca, come say hello to Grandma."
A faint blush rose on Bianca's cheeks as she said shyly, "Hello, Grandma. I'm Bianca. You..."
Victoria couldn’t help but scoff inwardly, how was this any different from parading a new girlfriend in front of the family for the very first time?
Aiden wasn't even bothering to pretend anymore. He just wanted to give Bianca a legitimate status.
Had he forgotten they'd only recently divorced?
No.
Aiden remembered perfectly well.
He just didn't care.
She didn’t care about her, didn’t care about her feelings. Victoria let out a bitter smile and cast her eyes downward, until Delta’s voice cut through the moment.
Delta didn't acknowledge Bianca, only asked calmly, "What about Victoria? I remember, she's your wife."
Her knowing gaze fell on the two of them, carrying some deeper meaning.
Aiden's expression stiffened, but he quickly recovered. "You'll have to ask Victoria about that. After all, she’s the one whoknows this matter best. Isn't that right, Victoria?"
The words contained a threat that only she could detect.
Victoria lowered her eyes and took a deep breath. "Yes, Aiden and I are divorced now."
She forced a smile, striving for casualness. "The divorce was my idea. I was always overthinking, constantly suspicious of him. I was the one who lost feelings first. It's all my fault. I've disappointed you, and I'm truly sorry."
No one knew that as she spoke these words, her heart ached as if being cut by a dull knife, blood dripping drop by drop.
Just like her tears.
As she finished, a murmur of whispers rippled through the crowd, but Victoria turned a blind ear, pretending not to notice.
She bent at the waist and bowed deeply to Delta. "It's all my fault. If you're going to blame anyone, blame me."
In this family, she only felt guilty toward Delta.
Aiden's parents had always ignored her.
It wasn’t overt cruelty, but this quiet, icy violence cut just as deep.
Only Delta, only Grandma...
Tears nearly flooded her eyes uncontrollably.
Victoria pinched herself sharply, swallowing the tears. She refused to show any weakness, especially not here, not now.
Just as she was about to straighten up, she felt warmth on her arm—it was Delta.
"I thought it was something serious."
Delta waved her hand. "Victoria is thoughtful and always takes the blame for everything, but I'm not a fool! Look at you, you've gotten so thin. Come with Grandma."
Having earned so much respect in the Smith family, she naturally wasn't blind.
Aiden's threats were laid bare, how could she not see who was to blame? All she felt was pity for this good girl, Victoria.
Victoria heard a sigh beside her, and her heart trembled.
She had made Delta sad.
Yet she remained silent, soaking in the warmth of that palm, her eyes burning anew. So achingly warm.
Bianca was furious.
She pouted pitifully. "Aiden, does Grandma not like me? She treats me so differently from Ms. Spencer. Should I not be with you?"
Her words sounded so aggrieved that Aiden's expression immediately changed.
He patted Bianca's hand reassuringly. "Ourlives are our own concern. Besides, Grandma doesn’t really know you yet. Spend some time with her, and she’ll come to like you. Don't worry."
Bianca wasn't satisfied.
She bit her lip, noticing the looks from people around them, not daring to say more. She could only nod reluctantly.
Why?
She was the legitimate Mrs. Smith now!
What spell had Victoria cast over Delta? Her sharp gaze swept across the crowd, settling on Victoria's slender back.
She would make Victoria get out of the Smith family completely!
Everyone gathered around the dining table in a circle, Delta at the head. Normally, Aiden’s parents would sit beside her, but today, it was Victoria.
Bianca was grinding her back teeth.
Next to the head seat!
Even Aiden didn't get that treatment!
What did that bitch Victoria have to deserve such favor?
She refused to accept it!
Victoria was pulled down to sit by Delta, her whole body stiff.
She pressed her lips tightly together, trying to minimize her presence. All the while, she kept her gaze fixed on her plate, too afraid to look anywhere else.
She had completed her task. Aiden wouldn't break their agreement, would he?
She discreetly glanced at Aiden, couldn't read anything, but was instead hurt by the sweet scene between him and Bianca.
Victoria quickly looked away, pretending nothing had happened.
Delta, as if sensing something, kept serving her food, not letting her think about all that mess.
Everyone at the table seemed lost in their own thoughts, leaving the meal completely tasteless. When she swallowed the last bite, Victoria finally exhaled in quiet relief.
Finally over.
Seeing this, Delta patted her hand. "Come to my room for a bit. I have something to tell you."
Before Victoria could respond, Aiden's father, Jasper Smith, frowned first.
He objected, "Mom, Victoria isn't part of the Smith family anymore. This isn't appropriate."
Delta said, frowning in displeasure. "Since when do I need you to tell me who I can bring into my own room?"
She glanced at him sideways, and ignoring everyone else's attempts to stop her, pulled Victoria upstairs.
It wasn't until the door closed that Victoria snapped back to reality. "You..."
Delta led her to sit down, her eyes flashing with sympathy. "I know Aiden is in the wrong. Anyone can see something's not right with him. He doesn't deserve you! I know you're soft-hearted, but you can't..."
She let out a heavy sigh and drew a red envelope from a nearby drawer, pressing it gently into Victoria’s hands. When she looked up, her expression was warm and kind. "Although we can't continue as family, you must accept this money. Consider it a blessing and support from an elder."
Victoria's refusal stuck in her throat. After a long moment, she spoke with some emotion, "Thank you, Grandma."
Delta tried to lighten the mood, pulling her into casual conversation.
After a moment, she cast a glance at the clock on the wall. "It’s getting late. Why don’t you stay here tonight? The driver can take you home tomorrow?"
Victoria pressed her lips together, remembering her current status.
She exhaled. "Grandma, I still have some work to do. I'll head back today. Next time I have a chance, I'll come visit you."
Seeing her determination, Delta didn't push further, just raised her hand and patted her shoulder again.
"Go on then."
After leaving the second-floor room, Victoria looked around but didn't see Aiden anywhere.
Where was he?
She frowned and took out her phone, tapping on it a few times.
The call went unanswered.
A passerby caught sight of her and sneered, "Mr. Aiden Smith left with Ms. Johnson ages ago! Still think you matter..."
He left?
Victoria gripped her phone, her whole body going rigid.
What about her debt?