Chapter 103: A Perfect Family

Chapter 103: Chapter 103: A Perfect Family

Irene handed her a tissue and waited for her to calm down a bit before speaking slowly. "Vivian, calm down first. Your mother chose to keep this hidden for so long, which shows how much she cares about you and this family.

An encounter from her youth doesn’t mean she isn’t noble, nor does it mean you’re a ’stain.’"

"But she’s an aristocrat!" Vivian shot back, her voice sharp. "Aristocrats value reputation and bloodline above all else. How could she—"

"Aristocrats are human too. They have moments of youthful impulse and secrets they don’t want others to know." Irene looked her in the eyes, her tone steady.

"Is your mother’s love and the way she raised you all these years fake? You told me once that when you wanted to major in film, your father didn’t really agree, but your mother supported you completely. She even helped convince your father.

Would her support and care for you change because of this so-called ’background’? She has always treated you like the apple of her eye. Your place in this family was never determined by who your biological father is."

She paused. "I know it’s hard for you to accept because the image of your mother in your mind was too perfect. But perfect people don’t exist. Everyone has a past and secrets they’d rather keep hidden.

Your mother didn’t give up on you because of that past. Instead, she gave you a complete home and a heart full of love. That is enough."

Vivian lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the bedsheets. After a long silence, she said softly,

"But I still feel awful. I can’t even imagine how my father would react if he found out."

"Your father loves your mother and this family so much. He might have known all along, or even if he finds out now, it might not change anything." Irene gently patted her hand.

"The reason you’re suffering so much now is that you put too much weight on a ’perfect family.’ But for you, isn’t what truly matters the love and companionship they’ve given you all these years?"

Moonlight slipped through the gap in the curtains and spilled over the two of them. Lucky curled up at Vivian’s feet, letting out a soft purr as if lending her strength.

Vivian’s tears gradually stopped. She looked up at Irene, her eyes still filled with confusion. "Really? They really won’t change how they feel about me because of this?"

"Of course not." Irene nodded with a smile. "Actually, you could try talking to your mother. Maybe she’s been feeling guilty about this all along, wanting to tell you but never finding the courage. True family bonds can always transcend secrets and regrets."

Vivian sniffled. "Okay. Thank you, Irene. I’m glad you’re here."

"We’re best friends, aren’t we?" Irene ruffled her hair.

"I’ll run a bath for you. Take a hot soak and stay at my place tonight. Get a good night’s sleep, and everything will be better when you wake up tomorrow."

Vivian nodded, finally having the energy to look down at Lucky by her feet.

While Irene was finding pajamas, the bathtub had already filled. She gently guided Vivian into the bathroom, then turned and picked up her phone. After scrolling for a moment, she found Vivian’s mother’s number. She had specifically asked Vivian for it back during Thanksgiving, though she had never called it.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Irene stood by the bedroom window with her phone, her fingertip hovering over the screen.

Should she rashly involve herself in this family secret? Once she made this call, the other woman would certainly know that Irene was aware of the family’s scandal.

Of course, the matter meant nothing to her, but that didn’t mean others would want her to know.

Irene felt conflicted, but thinking about how Vivian had run over so late, she certainly hadn’t informed her parents in her haste. They would surely be frantic over their daughter’s disappearance.

Putting herself in their shoes, she decided to trust in a mother’s love and finally pressed the call button.

The phone rang three times before Jane Cavendish’s somewhat weary voice came through. "Hello, who is this?"

"Mrs. Taylor, hello. This is Irene Coppola. I’m sorry to disturb you so late. I’m Vivian’s classmate." Irene lowered her voice.

A slightly urgent voice immediately answered. "Miss Irene? Is Vivian with you? She didn’t come home tonight, and her father and I are very worried. She hasn’t been answering her phone."

Hearing the word worried, the weight in Irene’s chest eased. It seemed Vivian’s parents truly cared about her.

"Don’t worry, Vivian is here with me, and she’s doing fine," Irene said quickly to reassure her.

"She’s feeling a bit down tonight and didn’t want to come home and worry you, so she’s staying at my place for the night. I thought I should let you know so that you and your husband wouldn’t keep worrying."

Jane relieved voice came through clearly, punctuated by a few faint sighs. "Thank you, Miss Irene. I feel much better knowing she’s with you. Actually, I know she might be upset because of that matter."

"Madam, have you wanted to talk to Vivian about this for a long time?" Irene felt a stir in her heart.

"Yes," Jane’s voice was full of guilt. "This has weighed on my heart for decades. I’ve always wanted to tell her, but I was afraid she wouldn’t be able to accept it, afraid it would destroy our relationship, afraid she would feel like her existence was a mistake."

"Vivian does feel that way," Irene said softly.

"I was too headstrong when I was young. I made a mistake on impulse while traveling in Europe. Later, I met her father. He knew about my past but still chose to accept and love me, and he was willing to treat Vivian as his own daughter.

For all these years, we’ve carefully guarded this secret just to give Vivian a perfect family." Jane’s tone was filled with helplessness.

So Vivian’s father had known all along and had embraced everything with love. "Madam, Vivian is finding it very hard to accept right now. She has always seen you as a symbol of noble perfection and cherishes this family deeply."

Irene paused. "But in her heart, she really loves you and Mrs. Taylor. She’s just temporarily trapped by this. If you’re willing, you can come to my place tomorrow morning, or wait until her emotions are more stable so the two of you can have a proper talk. Once everything is out in the open, perhaps she will understand your difficulties."

"Good, good. I’ll come over first thing tomorrow morning." Jane’s voice was filled with gratitude.

"Miss Irene, thank you so much. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know how long Vivian would have stayed away, or how long it would have taken for us to resolve this misunderstanding."

"You’re welcome. Vivian is my good friend. I’m only doing what I should." With that, Irene hung up the phone.