He Broke My Heart, My Family Broke His Empire Chapter 17

He Broke My Heart, My Family Broke His Empire Chapter 17

The next day, the Ashworth matriarch came to see me.

It was the first time we had ever met.

According to Ashworth family tradition, only those invited to Nantucket for Thanksgiving were qualified to meet her.

For five years, every woman Julian brought home had met her.

Only I, his legal wife, had not.

She sat before me, her expression gentle, and handed me a velvet box. Inside lay an emerald pendant.

“Clara, I’m so glad to finally meet you. Such a lovely girl.”

“This was my wedding gift when I joined the Ashworth family. Please, consider it an apology on our family’s behalf.”

I forced a smile and didn’t take the box.

“Thank you, but it’s far too valuable. I can’t accept it.”

Her voice softened, like a rare ray of sun in a Boston winter, but it held no warmth.

“Clara, I’ve scolded Julian every year. The boy is a fool. Your brother has taught him a lesson, and I have disciplined him as well. He knows he was wrong.”

“For my sake, could you give him another chance? Every marriage has its problems. You can’t just throw it away over this. I can see how much you two once loved each other.”

“If he ever misbehaves again, I will personally step in.”

I looked at her and decided to stop playing the game.

“You say you managed him every year, but why did he never bring me to Nantucket?”

“Whether or not I was allowed through the Ashworths’ front door was also up to you, wasn’t it?”

She clearly hadn’t expected the question. Her elegant posture stiffened, and her expression faltered.

After a long moment, she finally spoke, her voice tight.

“I may have said something, but if he refuses to listen, there’s nothing I can do.”