The Humble Ex-wife is Now A Brilliant Tycoon

Chapter 22:

“What on earth are you doing, Christina?” Brendon’s voice was sharp, thick with anger.

Christina stayed calm, her expression unreadable. “I just told the truth. Bethel deserved to know. What’s wrong with that?”

“You—” Brendon started, but Bethel’s voice cut through his like a knife. “That’s enough! Why are you raising your voice at her?” she demanded, her eyes narrowing at him.

Despite her age, Bethel’s gaze was sharp as ever. She looked at Brendon. “Now tell me—what’s really going on between you two? Why did you get divorced?”

Brendon let out a heavy sigh. “Grandma, you already know. There was never any real love between us. Marriages fall apart when there’s nothing left to hold them together.”

Christina remained silent, though inside, she was laughing bitterly. If Yolanda hadn’t come back, would Brendon have kept pretending instead of demanding a divorce? Of course, he would have. It worked to his interest that way.

Bethel gave a harsh, humorless laugh. “Don’t try to play me for a fool. I may be old, but I’m not stupid. Either you tell me the truth now, or I’ll find it myself.”

Brendon hesitated, jaw tight. He knew what would happen if Bethel found out on her own. And it wouldn’t be pretty. Finally, he muttered, “Yolanda’s back…”

Bethel shot to her feet, slamming both hands on the table. Her eyes burned with fury. “I told you before—I will never allow Yolanda to join this family!”

“Grandma!” Brendon’s defiance flared. “Yolanda and I love each other! Why can’t you just accept her?”

“Love?” Bethel scoffed. “You think this is love? You’re the only fool who can’t see her for what she is! That woman disappeared the moment the doctors said you might never walk again years back! Did she even call? No! Not once!” She pointed a trembling finger at Christina. “And who stayed by your side? Who looked after you when you couldn’t even stand on your own? Christina did. Day and night. She was the reason you recovered. Even the doctors said it was a miracle—and that miracle was her doing!”

Brendon rolled his eyes. “Yolanda had no choice. And fine, maybe Christina helped a little, but my recovery was all about my own willpower and strength. Anyone else could’ve taken care of me, and I still would’ve walked again!”

Freshly uploaded on gαℓησv𝒆𝓁s․com

Christina’s lips twitched slightly. She didn’t say a word, but inside, she was seething. If it weren’t for her—her medical knowledge, her sleepless nights, her silent sacrifices—Brendon would’ve been trapped in that wheelchair forever. That miracle he took credit for? It was hers.

Bethel’s eyes flared. Without warning, she lifted her cane and struck Brendon across the shoulder. “You ungrateful fool!” she spat. “How did our family raise someone as ungrateful as you?”noveldrama

“Ungrateful?” Brendon’s voice rose. “I gave Christina enough money to live comfortably for the rest of her life! All I want now is to marry the woman I love. Is that so wrong?”

Bethel’s grip on her cane tightened, fury dancing in her eyes. She lifted it again to strike, but Brendon caught it midair this time. His jaw was set, eyes blazing. He growled, “I’m done backing down. I will marry you.”

Bethel’s chest heaved as she trembled with rage. “Fine! Marry her, then!” she spat. “But listen carefully—she will never be officially acknowledged by the Dawson family. Not while I’m alive!”

Brendon stared at Bethel, torn between frustration and disbelief. Why did she defend Christina so fiercely yet reject Yolanda with such disdain? He had compromised once, bowing to his grandmother’s wishes. But not this time. Not when his heart was on the line.

“My decision’s final,” Brendon said, his voice cold but steady. “I will marry Yolanda, the woman I love. No one else could ever take her place.” His eyes flicked to Christina as he spoke, deliberate and pointed.

Bethel’s expression darkened, her voice a low, venomous whisper. “Then go ahead—marry that woman. But the day you bring that woman into this house is the day you lose everything.”

Her heart ached at the sight of her grandson throwing away a diamond for dirt. One day, he’d understand what a fool he’d been—but by then, it would be too late.

Brendon stood taller, rebellion surging through him. “Grandma, give it up! I’ll never go back to Christina. I’ve made my choice—I will marry Yolanda, and no one’s stopping me.”

“You—” Bethel gasped mid-sentence. A sudden tightness seized her chest. Her cane slipped from her hand as she staggered, clutching her heart. With a choked cry, she collapsed to the floor.

“Bethel!” Christina and Brendon shouted simultaneously, rushing to her side in panic.

.

.

.