Chapter 889: "If my mom comes to you, be careful," Vivien said after a brief moment of hesitation. "She knows what's going on and completely backs Norah's plan. I'm worried she might try to stir up trouble for you." "Thanks for the heads-up," Freya replied plainly.
With that, the pressure that had been weighing on Vivien's chest finally lifted.
Before Cheryl had any involvement with Hugh, Vivien had been just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBut once Hugh stepped in, everything changed. He was unbelievably generous to both her and her mother. Whatever they wanted, he made sure they had. They never lacked a thing.
That sudden taste of luxury changed Vivien, making her believe she belonged in the world of the wealthy. She started to look down on the poor, adopting a spoiled and entitled lifestyle.
But after meeting Freya and spending taround her, the illusion began to crack. She slowly cto understand that she was still just a regular person.
Through Freya, she learned that those truly raised in high society didn't flaunt their wealth or status. What set them apart was their depth of knowledge, their broadened worldview, and most of all, their humility. They still saw themselves as no different from anyone else.
"But don't worry too much," Vivien added. "Once I get back, I'll talk to her and shut down her fantasy of marryingoff to someone rich." Once that fantasy died, her mother wouldn't keep chasing impossible dreams.
"Marrying into wealth doesn't guarantee happiness,” Freya said, drawing from her own experiences. “Most wealthy families care more about status than anything else. If your future husband doesn't truly love you, your life can end up miserable." She had seen such scenarios with her own eyes. When she was seventeen-young and impulsive-she'd gone to a restaurant that Trent had reserved.
Halfway through her meal, she noticed a woman crying alone and walked over to check on her.
The woman confided that her husband's family constantly looked down on her, calling her lucky to have landed someone from their family. They mocked her in front of other rich women, making her feel small and ashamed. Freya had told her to get a divorce. At the time, she had spoken from the heart, unable to stand seeing someone suffer like that. But the woman had turned her down.
Freya figured it was fear-fear of leaving, fear of being alone. So she had offered to find the best lawyer for her. Still, the woman had declined.
What she said next stuck with Freya even to this day: "I'm just upset right now. I'll get over it. Being insulted doesn't really hurt me. But if I divorce, I won't have a big house or this comfortable life anymore."
Freya hadn't said anything after that.
to make their Everyone had the rig strangers, own choices. They were strangers, after all-she wasn't in a position to interfere further.
"I get it," Vivien said, sounding like she truly meant it this time. "I'm going to sell the house Mr. Briggs gave us and buy al small apartment. Just something simple, where Mom and I can live peacefully." For the kind of life she wanted now, the money would be more than enough to keep her and her mom comfortable. Freya nodded lightly, keeping her thoughts to herself. That house had been a gift from her father, and they had every right to do with it as they pleased.
"Freya, thank you," Vivien said, her voice warm and steady, a soft smiletugging at her lips There was peace O in her eyes, a sense of clarity she hadn't had before. "You helpedfind myself again."