Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 504

"Hey, Johnny."

The old patriarch spoke sternly, "Lucy was brought up well. The Moore family raised her to be polite and well-mannered. Her in-laws are very pleased with her. No need for any further schooling from them. But some people, no matter which family they marry into, need a good lesson from their in-laws."

"Raising kids is about instilling the right values. If their moral compass is off, that's a failure in upbringing. Lucy's got her head on straight. I don't think the Moores failed in raising her.

Hayden protested, "Dad, you're always defending Lucy. She doesn't treat Madeleine right. When Madeleine visits, she's a guest. Is that how you treat a guest? If I, Hayden, say something, she interrupts me. How is that good upbringing?"

The old patriarch's face grew colder, his voice deepening, "I feel like my biggest failure was raising a son like you. That's on me. I was too busy with the company and family affairs to educate you properly. Your mother's spoiling didn't help either."

Hayden was speechless.

The old lady, too, felt dragged into this mess. She didn't like Madeleine much, blaming her for causing trouble in her son's marriage, though she thought Lucinda could be a bit overbearing too.

"Uninvited guests don't count as company. You fail to act like an elder, yet you expect respect from the younger ones? Fix your own mistakes before lecturing others. Don't ruin Lucy with your nonsense."

After saying his piece, the old patriarch stood up to leave, nodding to his wife, "Come along, let's get some fresh air."

The old lady got up and followed him out.

Madeleine's face turned dark with anger.

Hayden quickly tried to appease her, saying, "Madeleine, don't mind my dad. He's getting senile with age."

Madeleine glared at him, snapping, "Everything I've suffered today is because of you."

In the past, whenever she visited the Blue family, everyone treated her as the lady of the house. The elderly couple were especially kind, with the old lady calling her "Madeleine" so affectionately.

The patriarch might not have been warm, but he never embarrassed her like today. Now he was openly criticizing her upbringing and values, all because of her relationship with Hayden. It was Hayden's fault.

There was a rush of footsteps outside—several people were approaching.

"Hayden, Madeleine, you two lowlifes, come out here!"

Ashley had arrived.

Madeleine's face shifted from anger to a calculated charm, as she snuggled into Hayden's arms, her hand teasingly tracing his chest.

Breathing softly, she said, "Hayden, I'm innocent. How could your dad blame me? I'm so wronged."

"Madeleine, I'll talk to my dad later. I won't let you suffer again. I'm sorry, it's all my fault. Please don't be mad," Hayden, distracted by Madeleine's advances, promised sweetly.

Just then, Ashley barged in with a crowd, though she was the real force to be reckoned with. The others, ostensibly there to hold her back, were more like instigators.

The confrontation between the wife and the mistress was intense, both women unwilling to back down.

Hayden sided with Madeleine, trying to hold Ashley back and prevent her from attacking Madeleine, which led to Ashley being kicked by Madeleine.

The original wife confronting the mistress usually garners full support.

Lucinda spoke sternly, "Hayden, Ashley, this is our home. My parents are trying to rest, and you're making a scene here. You might not care about your reputation, but I do."

She pointedly addressed Hayden, "Hayden, it's my first day back, and you're causing this chaos. Do you have something against me? Not happy I'm back?"

Lucinda's words startled Hayden, and he quickly responded, "Lucy, Hayden's been dreaming about your return. How on earth could you think you’re not welcome here?"

"Lucy, it’s my fault. I'll leave right now; I won’t cause any more trouble in your home. Please, talk to your dad for me."

Hayden was clearly still intimidated by his older brother.

He took the opportunity to leave with Madeleine by his side.

Seeing Hayden leave with Madeleine, Ashley was fuming.

"Hayden is so outrageous," Lucinda said, voicing Ashley's thoughts. "Ashley gave him children, took care of the household, and now he's parading around with a new fling, completely disregarding Ashley's dignity."

Lucinda’s words only fueled Ashley’s resentment further.

Back in the day, Ashley was young and vibrant too. She married Hayden, bore his children, and worked tirelessly to keep the household running smoothly, even going out of her way to impress his family. All her efforts were to ensure a better future for them.

But after all she sacrificed, how did Hayden repay her?