"What is it? You don't know what's up? All you do is read the paper and your books all day. Do you
even care about this family anymore? Do you care about our son?" Monica frowned. Some small
wrinkles appeared on her still good-looking face.
Malcolm carefully sat up and set the newspaper down. He did not get upset. Instead, he answered
calmly, "I don't need to worry about anything. You're the mistress of this house, and you keep it well.
You take care of our family just fine. Isn't Ethon back as you wished?"
"What's that supposed to mean? Aren't you his parent as well? Why are you acting like you don't care
about our son's emotions at all?" Upon hearing Malcolm's words, Monica suddenly stood up from her
chair and angrily walked toward him.
"Why do you care so much about our son's love life? You're accusing me of being irresponsible. Well, I
think you're overreacting. You're the one upsetting Ethon every day. If you hadn't forced him to break
up with Nana, he wouldn't be so depressed." Malcolm's calm expression suddenly turned sullen.
Monica liked to manipulate Ethon's romantic life. Malcolm used to turn a blind eye to it. As a father, he
felt very distressed to see Ethon in a bad mood. It reminded him of Ivy. When he found out that he
could not be with Ivy, he fell into depression as well.
A relationship was just like a disaster. Some survived it, others did not.
Malcolm did not want Ethon to suffer the way he did for being in love with Ivy. He did not love Monica,
but they could never get a divorce. Malcolm was a soldier. It was not appropriate, let alone honorable,
for him to get divorced at will. A divorce was not good for the reputation of the Yu Family. At his age, he
had already experienced everything. There was no longer a need for love.
Ever since Ivy passed away, Malcolm seldom smiled in his heart. He had been quiet inside.
He was like a puppet in his relationship with Monica, but they were from families of equal social rank.
They were just taking what they needed from each other.
Malcolm gave Monica a noble appellation as the hostess of the Yu Family while Monica gave birth to
Ethon to carry on his family name.
Men were sometimes strange creatures. They might not love their wives, but they loved their children
deeply. Malcolm might not have strong feelings for Monica, but his love for Ethon was immense. As it
was said, 'Blood is thicker than water.'
"Oh, you're blaming me now?" In a heartbeat, Monica was already standing in front of Malcolm. She
raised her chin and stared at him with unyielding eyes.
"Isn't it good to leave the matter to our son? Do you really think it's a good idea to meddle in his affairs
and not allow him to decide for himself?" Malcolm sneered and spoke from a voice that belonged in his
past. If only his father had stood up and spoken like he did now at that time.
Malcolm was forced to marry someone he did not love. He did not want the same for his son.
"I did it for your family's sake. Do you want someone like Fiona to be your daughter-in-law?" Rolling her
eyes and pouting her lips, Monica reasoned out.
"Why not?" Malcolm's tone was harsh now. With his eyebrows slightly furrowed, he said carefully,
"Nana is a good girl. I've observed that she has been doing well in every department since she went to
school, and she is very polite to everyone. Her family background doesn't make me feel sick. In fact, I
sympathize with her. She is young but has gone through enough hardships. Happiness is also hard to
get for her, and I believe that people like her will cherish Ethon for life. How can you not want her to be
your daughter-in-law?"
It was indeed a powerful point Malcolm had made. As a result, Monica was stunned by his words. She
found herself speechless.
Monica immediately looked away and then said with a mocking smile, "So... You're deliberately going
against me?"
"That's right. I will fully support Ethon this time. I have sent someone to follow him when he goes away
from home. He looks very happy every day when he is with Fiona. He is smiling, laughing, and having
a good time instead of moping around in his room all day. Ethon is a good young man. Why are you
forcing him to marry Shyla?"
"I'm doing it for his future. What will people say if he ends up with Fiona? There is a stigma around
her!" Even though what she had said was reasonable, her voice was not as strong as before.
"I think your desire to control is too strong. Ethon is already a grownup. As an adult, he knows how to
be responsible for his own behavior and who he should love. In his life, it's a pity that he can't be with
the one he truly loves." Malcolm spoke with a hint of regret in his voice.
Monica sneered. She perfectly understood what Malcolm was trying to say. She crossed her arms over
her chest and replied, "Is this about Ivy Liu and the fact that you couldn't marry her, so you married me
instead? Are you still upset about that?"
Malcolm did not respond. However, his inner thoughts had already been exposed. Over the years,
Monica had often mentioned that name in front of him. Every time he heard Ivy's name, he felt angry
and sad at the same time.
Malcolm did not know that it was Monica who killed Ivy. If he did, he would have divorced her already
regardless of his military honor.
Ethon kept that secret for his mother. Although he did not think it was a good idea, Monica was still his
mother. But then again, his father had loved Ivy with all his heart. Ethon was selfish. He wished this
secret would stay a secret.
"Don't you change the subject and don't drag her name into this." After a moment's silence, Malcolm
spoke in a low, menacing voice.
Malcolm was a righteous man, and he saw things in either black or white. His career had much to do
with his character.
"Why? Do you still feel guilty? You're the one who brought up this conversation, Malcolm. You think you
fell victim to this marriage because you didn't do it for love. There are so many people in the world who
marry without love, and you're acting like you're the only one suffering because of it. What is there to
be sad about anyway?" Monica pursed her lips. It was hard to tell whether she was jealous or angry.
Although Ivy did not get a chance to be with Malcolm, she was unforgettable in his heart. Monica
guessed that even were Malcolm to die, he would choose that woman in his next life.
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