Chapter 63: The Ugly Old Man
Chapter 63: The Ugly Old Man
"You have wrongly represented us - parents! What kind of parents would throw their child out of their home when she is two months pregnant! What?!" Amanda's eyes widened and her voice further raised as she added, "More than the shame of Sam's misreading, I bet people behind your back talked about the shameful act you both had done to the child you call your own!"
Amanda had been glaring back and forth at Catherine and Winfield before she added, "If Sarah were alive, she would dare not abandon her own child! Clearly, Winfield, this new wife of yours is BELOW Sarah! She and her daughter even dared to bring up Samantha's past like it was the worst sin on earth!"
Amanda's words brought about silence in the room.
Everyone saw how Winfield's pride was wounded, and how Catherine's face paled. All the more, when Amanda added, "I wonder what is more sinful, getting pregnant or murder!"
Redirecting her gaze to Catherine, Amanda squinted. Her nose flared while silently accusing Winfield's wife.
The entire time, Daniel Wright only folded his hands against his chest whereas, Matilda was starting to grin at how everything had developed.
The Browns looked down their heads, sensing the anger coming from Amanda Wright.
"Wha - what are you trying to say?" Catherine's voice trembled with Amanda's words. She felt a lump in her throat before turning to her husband for help.
"What do you think... Catherine? Feeling guilty?" Amanda further tightened her eyes, looking straight at the woman.
There was clear tension in the air and while the rest of the guests were somewhat puzzled, the general found the words to say, "How has this gathering turned into an argument and a room to falsely accuse my wife?!"
"She started it," Amanda said before twitching her mouth and rolling her eyes. She leaned back and returned to look at Winfield. "Still, I won't take back my words. You can ask any priest and other responsible parents out there! Everyone will agree with me... You were wrong, Winfield! YOU WERE WRONG!"
Clearing his throat, it was Daniel's time to speak. He said, "If you think... in any way, Samantha's past would affect our opinion of her, it doesn't. It absolutely does not."
A smile became painted on his face before Daniel explained, "We think... Sam is a beautiful woman with good morals, perfectly down to earth. She raised her children - not child, but two lovely children on her own and they are both good mannered."
"I am just a father-in-law, but I am proud of how Samantha raised her children. She is... a strong and independent woman, perfect for my son," added Daniel. "There is no other one... deserving to have the title of the next... Mrs. Wright."
Amanda saw the clear dismay on the faces of Catherine and Annie Davis. She smirked inwardly, knowing how they had planned to shame Samantha all along. She silently thought, 'They are in... for more surprises!'
"Yes, Sam did a wonderful job, raising her children," Matilda cried, echoing the words of Daniel. She turned to her son and reported, "You have no idea the struggles Sam went through, having very little money as she lived by with her aunt in Monroe."
"Sadly, the money I send Sam was not enough for her and the twins to live by. She had to sell food in her apartment building while bringing her twins with her in order to earn more money." Matilda
howled in tears, recalling how helpless she was for her granddaughter back then.
"She struggled, but she overcame and that says a lot about her," Matilda closed, wiping the wetness on her face.
It was because everyone looked at the general that Winfield became aware of how his guests were moved by Matilda's tale. He felt a knife stabbing against his chest, but he still could not bring himself to acknowledge his mistake. Content © NôvelDrama.Org.
The general felt a lump in his throat, just contemplating at the praises coming from the Wrights and his own mother. Before he could react, a maid came in to report, "General, madam, another luxury car arrived."
Amanda took a deep breath. She reached for her handkerchief and gave it to Matilda, who was sitting next to her. She said, "Dear Aunt. It's okay now. Sam and Ethan are here! And your great- grandchildren, too! Sam's years of struggle are over."
She turned to everyone and smiled. Amanda then suggested, "It's like they say, there is always a rainbow after the storm."
A smile reflected on Ingrid Brown's face and she acknowledged, "That's true. How well blessed is Samantha."
It was because Winfield was still having mixed emotions that he simply ordered the maid, "Guide them to the dining area."
"Yes, General," answered the maid.
Winfield looked at his wife and warned, "I don't want any more trouble! There is no need to bring up Sam's past!" He directed his gaze at Amanda and added, "Let's just have a peaceful gathering."
"This lunch is supposed to officially welcome my daughter back in this home," reminded the general.
Heartbeats later, they all heard a voice of a little girl, exclaiming about the decors in the house. "Wow! This place is also cool, but of course, our house is so much nicer! Mommy, are we going to meet grandpa today?"
"Yes, Kenzie... we are almost there." Everyone could hear Samantha's voice from behind the dining area and soon enough, she appeared before them.
Samantha arrived, wearing an expensive signature dress. Her hair was beautifully done, and she had that vibrant glow on her face.
They all saw how Samantha smiled confidently, despite being shocked by the presence of many in the dining area.
"Wow, I did not expect so many visitors," Samantha told. "Hi everyone, this is my daughter, Kenzie."
Kenzie waved at people sitting around the table and greeted them with a smile. Her eyes twinkled as she expressed her words, "Hi, I'm Kenzie. I'm Mommy's princess. It's nice to meet you!"
"Oh, how beautiful," remarked Ingrid Brown.
A few of Samantha's classmates from the military academy also expressed the same appreciation.
Samantha reluctantly faced her father and also introduced, "Kenzie, this is General Winfield Davis, your grandfather."
Flashing her gleaming smile, Kenzie walked closer to Winfield and extended her hand. She said, "Hi grandpa, I'm Kenzie! It's nice to meet you!"
There was a moment of silence coming from Winfield, but he eventually reached for the little girl's hand and shook it. Seeing her beaming grin, he could not help but smile.
Seconds past and everyone turned shocked, a tear fell down on Winfield Davis' face before he said, "you - you look like your Mommy when - when she was little."
Kenzie chuckled and flushed before she revealed, "Yes, I'm as pretty as Mommy!"
"Yes, you are... you are indeed." The general struggled to wipe the mere drop on his face before he looked up to Samantha. With his voice breaking off, he said, "Take your seat, Sam. Where are your husband and your boy?"
"Oh, he should be here - there he is, with Kyle, my other child," Samantha said while turning to the direction of the living room.
It did not take long for Ethan to arrive, walking in with Kyle in his hand.
Samantha then introduced, "Everyone, you have met my husband during the engagement party of Clayton and Annie. This is Ethan and here is our son, Kyle. Say hello buddy!"
"Hi!" Kyle plainly said. "I'm Kyle. It's nice to meet you."
There was a clear confusion coming from the room. Even Catherine who was earlier angered was shocked to see the little boy next to Ethan.
For the exception of Matilda and the Wrights, everyone was gawking at both Ethan and Kyle.
It was Ingrid Brown who asked first, "Why - why does... your son look so much like Ethan?"
Only then did Winfield probe the same, "Yes, such a coincidence."
"Um... no, actually father... It is not," Samantha answered before biting her lip.
"What? What do you mean exactly, Sam?" This time, it was Annie who probed with her brows furrowed.
"Let me answer that for Sam," Amanda cut off the awkward exchange. She looked Annie in the eye and told, "Because, it was my son whom Sam shared that night with during the wedding, almost six years ago."
"My son, Ethan Wright, was the ugly old man - the same man inside the room where you lured Samantha to that fateful night!" Explained Amanda Wright.
Seeing how Annie's face paled, Amanda leaned back in her seat and cheerfully told, "So that's how I have two beautiful grandchildren and one who looks exactly like my son! Gosh! When I found out, I was the happiest mother-in-law, grandmother, and mother in the world!"
"No!!!!! No way!!!!!! That - that can't be!!!" A scream left Annie Davis' lips as she stood up, throwing her utensils and porcelains on the floor! She yelled, "I perfectly recall how Lance said it was an ugly old uncle of his using the room! It can't be Ethan Wright! It can't be!!!"