Chapter 313
Richard carefully studied Isabella’s features, trying to find any resemblance to Catherine.
To his disappointment, the two had almost nothing in common, perhaps because Isabella hadn’t grown up with Catherine.
The woman lying before him was in terrible condition.
Isabella’s eyes remained tightly shut, her lips drained of color while her cheeks burned with fever. Her body curled into itself, occasionally shuddering- seemingly caught between convulsions and violent chills.
Logically, a man in such a situation, upon discovering his wife had given birth to another man’s child, should be furious, perhaps even murderous with betrayal.
But in this moment, Richard felt no anger whatsoever–only endless disappointment and a sense of release.
Years ago, his first wife had died from an amniotic fluid embolism one month after giving birth to Henry.
His son hadn’t even reached his first month when he lost his mother, and Richard had lost the love of his life.
The devastation had been so complete that he’d contemplated suicide, wanting to follow his beloved wife into death. Only the sight of his infant son had stopped him from making that irreversible decision.
It was then that Richard’s late wife’s family made a suggestion: Catherine, who was the deceased’s sister, could marry Richard and help care for the child. No wedding ceremony would be necessary, just a simple marriage registration.
Richard understood their motivation perfectly–they wanted to maintain their connection to the wealthy Harding family, ensuring they wouldn’t lose the protection of such a powerful clan.
So, less than a month after their eldest daughter’s death, they hurriedly sent their younger daughter to replace her.
Richard, consumed by grief and longing to join his wife, had barely registered what was happening. He couldn’t even bear to look at his own son, feeling that it was this child’s arrival that had “killed” his beloved wife..
If William hadn’t shaken him out of his despair, Richard might have actually ended his life.
Eventually, William took charge of the situation, bringing Catherine into the Harding household to help care for the child.
Catherine’s arrival was very low–key, and the couple didn’t even have a proper wedding ceremony. Richard’s emotional state made it impossible for him to accept Catherine, so the marriage paperwork was postponed until Henry turned three.
By then, the household needed a mistress, and Henry needed a mother figure. And so, with the family elder’s decision, Catherine took her sister’s place as the lady of the Harding house.
Looking back now, Richard was startled to realize something: even after all these years, he still remembered every detail of his first wife’s face, her voice, her laughter.
He had never forgotten her!
And as for Catherine–he had never truly cared for her.
Even their daughter Grace had been conceived on his first wife’s death anniversary, when alcohol had allowed him to mistake Catherine for his departed love.
When he discovered Catherine had been with another man, he felt only relief–a burden he carried for years finally lifted.
Richard remained silent, his gaze fixed on Isabella’s face.
His scrutiny made Catherine deeply uncomfortable, terrified he might see the truth. She quickly positioned herself between them, blocking his line of sight.
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Chapter 313
“Richard, Isabella is very sick, she pleaded, her voice strained with worry. ‘She’s burning with fever. Could you arrange for a doctor to examine her Catherine anxiously wrung her hands. “I know what she did was wrong, but surely you can’t just watch her die in our home?
All these years, Isabella has suffered so much, Catherine thought desperately. Seeing her daughter in such a state, her heart was breaking.
To save Isabella, she would do anything–even kneel before Richard!
Catherine dropped to her knees in front of Richard.
