She whispered, "My brother's really betrayed her." The realization hurt more than she could bear. Her brother had always been the best man she knew, the gold standard for husbands everywhere. She'd even chosen Vincent because he reminded her of Eddy, despite Loraine's objections-her mother had always said Vincent wasn't good enough, that the Yates could never compare to the Simmons family, and that Hedwig was foolish to marry so far from home. But Hedwig had married Vincent anyway, even with Loraine's disapproval. Before she learned of Vincent's affair, he'd treated her well-he'd even doted on Tia, their daughter, with meticulous care. After all her desperate efforts to save her marriage, she'd finally resolved to divorce. She thought she would feel free, but reality hit her hard: Blanche had discovered Eddy's affair too, and she'd chosen to stay. Hedwig had torn her own family apart, but Blanche had held hers together. If it hadn't been for Blanche's support, Hedwig might have caved to Loraine's wishes. "She was betrayed by my brother but chose to stay, yet she encouraged me to leave Vincent. Was she helping me, or just setting me up?" Hedwig broke down in tears. A sly smile flickered across Ingrid's lips before she quickly masked it with concern. Ingrid squeezed Hedwig's hand gently. "Hedwig, I'm truly sorry about everything with Vincent. As soon as I heard, I wanted to talk, to convince you to give him another chance-for Tia's sake, if nothing else. But your brother moves fast. Three days, and the Yates family's fortune was gone." "But listen," Ingrid continued in a low voice, "stay out of your brother and Blanche's business. Scandals like that could destroy a public company. It's bad for everyone, you understand? As for Laney..." Ingrid paused, watching Hedwig's ashen face, "she's always treated you like her own sister. She'd never hurt you." Seeing Hedwig's uncertainty, Ingrid pressed on, adding fuel to the fire. "Laney isn't making a scene with your brother for a reason. They've been 2/3 14:05 Chapter 38 together for a decade-nothing's going to shake that. And besides, your brother already sent that other woman abroad." Tears shimmered in Hedwig's eyes. Her brother had come to his senses; he and Blanche seemed to be back to normal. But Blanche's patience had cost Hedwig everything: her husband, her daughter's father, and her own place in the Simmons family. She could almost feel her mother turning her back on her. Hedwig's gaze hardened with resentment, and Ingrid could barely contain her satisfaction. She'd worried that Jeannette's exile might soften Blanche's heart, that all her scheming would be for nothing if Blanche forgave Eddy. But with Hedwig stirring things up, Ingrid could sit back and watch the drama unfold. Blanche was never going to forgive Eddy now. "Your brother and your mother both listen to Laney," Ingrid reminded her, "and if Laney speaks up for you, your mother will never kick you out. Ms. Harvey's memorial is coming up, and I'm sure your mother and brother will put on quite a show for her. If you help out, Laney will remember your kindness. Things will go smoothly for you in the Simmons family after that." Everyone thinks she is an ugly and dumb girl, only her husband and herself know the truth. When will be the day that the shocking truth is revealed? Anyways, he will protect her for always.