A Night of Desire

Chapter 256 - 253: There’s No Telling What Tricks She’ll Use Against You

Sarah Shelby took in her mother’s every reaction. Her voice was a mixture of pity and confusion as she asked,

"Mom, is moving in with the Shelby family really that great? Yvette Zimmerman bullies you so much. Even if Dad is home and can protect you, he can’t be by your side every second. Why do you stay there and let her abuse you?"

"Move out and live with me. Dad can come visit whenever he misses us. It might not be the same as a family living under one roof, but it’s much better than you being mistreated, right?"

Hearing her daughter’s words, Cherie Rhodes gave a bitter smile. ’Evan Shelby, protect me? Forget about when he isn’t home. Even when he is, he doesn’t dare to take too firm a stance against Yvette Zimmerman.’

’What do feelings even mean to a man? They’re nowhere near as important as money and personal gain.’

’He’ll treat you like a queen when he wants you, but once he has you and the novelty wears off, why would he still care?’

’Besides, I’m the so-called "other woman," someone who can’t be shown in public. A man feels guilty for betraying his wife, so when the wife and the mistress clash, he naturally won’t dare to side with the one who is socially in the wrong.’

’But this isn’t for me. I have to move in with the Shelby family, no matter the cost, so Evan Shelby sees me all the time. Only then will he not slowly forget about me and our daughter. Only then can Sarah be formally acknowledged by the family and not be a child without roots forever.’

’That way, when she gets married, she can do so with her head held high and won’t be despised and mistreated by her in-laws for being an illegitimate daughter.’

’What’s more, with her status as the second daughter of the Shelby family, she might even be able to marry a man of distinguished status. She could live her entire life in peace, without a single worry.’

But there were some things she couldn’t tell her daughter. She didn’t want to ruin the relationship between her daughter and father.

Besides, she knew her daughter’s temperament. If Sarah learned that the father she adored didn’t treat her mother as well as she imagined, she might just disown Evan Shelby in a fit of anger.

Cherie Rhodes looked at her daughter, smiled faintly, and said evasively, "Moving in with the Shelby family isn’t ideal, but I’m doing it willingly. If it means you can be formally acknowledged and live a life of peace, then it’s worth it for Mom, even if I have to endure more of Yvette Zimmerman’s abuse."

Sarah Shelby sounded helpless. "Mom, I don’t think my life will be incomplete just because I’m not formally acknowledged by the family. As long as you’re happy, what does it matter whether the Shelby family accepts me or whether I become their Second Miss?"

Cherie Rhodes sighed softly and stroked her daughter’s hair, her eyes filled with a world-weary resignation. "Sarah, you’re still young. There’s a lot you don’t understand. Sometimes, status is your passport in life. A good name and reputation will make your path much smoother. Besides, at the Shelby residence... I’m doing fine."

Sarah Shelby may not have understood everything, but she knew how much her mother was suffering for her sake. She grabbed her mother’s hand, her voice a soft, helpless cry. "Mom!"

Cherie Rhodes smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "It’s okay, I’m fine. For your sake, I’ll be sure to protect myself."

After saying this, she recalled how Yvette Zimmerman had stormed off in a rage, and a deep worry settled in her again. "Sarah, you were too reckless just now. You’ve infuriated Yvette Zimmerman. There’s no telling what she’ll scheme up to deal with you."

"Hmph. I’m not afraid of her," Sarah Shelby said dismissively. "Besides, even if she tries to come after me, I still have Dad, don’t I? He loves me so much, he won’t let me be wronged."

"By the way, what’s the deal with Clara and Seth Quinn? Why was she coming out of his apartment so early in the morning?" Cherie Rhodes asked, her curiosity piqued.

Sarah Shelby lowered her gaze, her eyes flickering. "I don’t know. Maybe they needed to discuss something for the shoot?"

’It wasn’t that she wanted to hide it from her mother; for Clara’s sake, she couldn’t tell a soul.’