Chapter 3
"Sister?" I repeated slowly. "I've been married to Jasper Adams for three years, and he has a sister I didn't know about?"
My gaze landed on Jasper Adams' face. He quickly stood up, claiming he had to take a call, and rushed out like he was escaping.
My mother-in-law laughed proudly. "Didn't he tell you? Compared to you, a mere opportunist, Fiona is the perfect match for him!"
I forced myself to sit up, leaning against the headboard. "What do you mean?"
She explained that Fiona Brooks and Jasper Adams grew up together, childhood friends, inseparable. But she later moved abroad with her family, and they lost touch. Recently, Fiona graduated and returned to find a job. My mother-in-law was arranging to set her up with Jasper Adams, getting her into Adams Corporation.
"If it weren't for Jasp acting on impulse, do you think you could have entered the Adams family? Fiona is his equal in every way—background, education, looks. She's far superior to you!"
I scoffed. "Just because she went abroad doesn't mean she died. If they had any feelings, why just reconnect now? Besides, I'm already married to Jasper Adams. I'm his legal wife. If he has anything with Fiona, it's cheating!"
She stood, looking down at me. "You married Jasp for his money. He's got plenty of it, but you can't even keep his heart!"
"You don't control Jasper Adams. If you want to push him to marry Fiona Brooks, that's up to him!"
I argued back with her, but inside, I was anxious. Jasper Adams is decisive but can't easily go against his mother. As he puts it, she raised him, and now he has to make her happy.
I understood his feelings. Many times when she targeted me, I either pretended not to hear or quietly avoided her, not wanting to make things difficult for Jasper Adams.
I never thought my tolerance would make her think I was easy to bully, so bold as to place someone next to Jasper Adams!
"You can't make decisions for Jasper Adams. If you want to persuade him to marry Fiona Brooks, it's up to Jasper!"
I was arguing with my mother-in-law, but inside, I felt anxious. Jasper Adams is decisive, but he struggles to defy his mother. As he puts it, she raised him, and now that he's successful, he feels obligated to keep her happy.
I understand this. Many times when his mother targets me, I either pretend not to notice or quietly avoid her to spare Jasper any awkwardness.
But my patience has made his mother think I'm easy to push around. Now she's audaciously trying to set him up with someone else!
She left with an air of superiority, saying, "I'll tell Jasp to give you more money. You should leave early and make room for Fiona!"
Shortly after, Jasper came back hesitantly. Once he saw his mom had left, he sighed with relief. "Mom loves to meddle, Elle. Don't let it get to you."
Hearing this, I gave him a cold stare. "She brought Fiona Brooks into Adams Corporation, and you didn't refuse, did you?"
Jasper quickly defended himself, "Elle, there's nothing between us! Her family helped me before. Now that she's back from abroad looking for a job, my mom asked me to help, so I just placed her in the company."
"She's been arrogant for a while!" All my grievances spilled out. "Your mom asks, and you just comply? She used to mess with me, and now Fiona Brooks, who studied abroad and has everything, gets a job at Adams Corporation?"
"We've waited for this baby for so long, and she brushes it off with a misunderstanding?"
I shouted, my emotions nearly out of control. Jasper's face flushed with embarrassment and frustration before he finally managed, "I already told her off..."
"What's the use of that?" I was nearly hysterical. "Do you know what she just said to me? She said Fiona Brooks is the perfect wife for you! Jasper Adams, give me a straight answer. Are you going to marry her? Either divorce me or get Fiona and your mom out!"
"Eloise Taylor!"
Jasper interrupted me sharply, then softened his tone. "Just focus on recovering. I'll handle everything else."
He pressed an orange into my hand and left quickly. I took a bite. It was sour, so I tossed it aside.