Whispers of betrayal (Selena and Ryan) novel Chapter 143

Chapter 143

Back in those days, infertility meant a death sentence for a woman.

Anastasia gasped at the sudden revelation. Yet, Andrea maintained her smile that radiated ease. “The first time we got divorced was because I couldn’t bear a child. And so, my mother-in-law hit and cursed me, forcing me to get a divorce. But Maverick didn’t want to and left his house in a fit of rage. Later, when he understood how much humility I received from his family, he agreed to a divorce. During that time, I felt like my whole world was crushed. Frustration, hatred, and distress filled me. But, all of these were futile. At that time, I understood that a person only has one life. It’s better to start anew than to continue being upset with them. A change was far more worthy than constant complaints about my

life. That’s why I came to Hork all by myself. I was working three different jobs, including sewing, housekeeping, you name it. After saving a sum of money, I started my own business.”

Andrea was talking about the predecessor of the Lopez Group. Her smile never wavered as she spoke. “You probably wouldn’t have guessed that I was the foundation of the Lopez family’s business, would you?”

Anastasia’s gaze remained fixed on Andrea, a mixture of surprise and respect in her eyes.

“In my second year of starting the business in Hork, a crisis struck the factory. Just when I was lost and plunged into a moment of despair once again, Maverick found me. He told me that he wished to invest and build the business together with me. But I refused because he had remarried and his wife was already pregnant,” Andrea recounted, her fingers tracing over a photo.

Anastasia unconsciously clenched her fingers tightly, her head bowing as her eyes welled up. “Grandma Andrea, you’ve always loved him, haven’t you?”

She couldn’t help but think whether it was worth it.

Just because Andrea couldn’t bear children of her own, she had to endure a divorce and watch Maverick marry someone else.

“Of course I do. There’s only been one man I loved in my life,” Andrea answered with a hoarse voice. She gently caressed Maverick’s photo. “But I’ve also resented him. Not long after I rejected him, his wife suffered a difficult childbirth and passed away, leaving Maverick behind. During that time, it was a downfall for his family. They had no money, so he had to work tirelessly. Besides, his mother was sick and he had no one to take care of his child. Desperation led him to carry the child to me and ask for help in raising him.”

Anastasia glanced at Andrea. “And you agreed?”

Andrea nodded. “I promised to raise the baby with him. Gradually, I realized I still had feelings for him. When the child called me mother, the feeling was indescribable. That’s when I began to consider the idea of getting remarried.”

As Andrea flipped through the photos, she shared her story with Anastasia, piece by piece. “And with that, we had been together for more than 40 years.”

She closed the album and removed her glasses. “Just one year before Maverick passed away, I was 65 years old. At that time, I filed for a divorce again.”

Once again, another wave of shock washed over Anastasia.

She couldn’t fathom why Andrea would ask for a divorce at the age of 65.