A Night of Desire

Chapter 378 - 371: But Unfortunately, We Parted Ways

The moment Seth finished speaking, Theodore Quinn, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Seth is right. This is a family dinner, and it’s inappropriate for an outsider to be present. Mrs. Cheney, please see Miss Shelby out."

His voice carried the unquestionable authority of the head of the Quinn Family.

Sienna Hale’s heart ached for Autumn Shelby, but she also felt it wasn’t right to leave Clara Grant, the official daughter-in-law, on the sidelines for so long. She wiped away her tears and managed to force an awkward smile at her.

"Clara, you... please, sit down. What would you like to drink? I’ll have the staff get it for you."

Clara Grant, who had just managed to hold back her tears, instinctively looked up when she heard them. Her eyes, still glistening with moisture, were filled with astonishment.

’After that heart-wrenching tale from Autumn Shelby, shouldn’t they be setting aside their past misunderstandings and grievances to welcome her back, and show me the door to the Quinn estate instead?’

’How did it end up with me still being the guest of honor, while they’re kicking Autumn out?’

For a moment, Clara Grant was at a loss, and even a little flattered.

’Does this mean they still see me as their future daughter-in-law, and Autumn Shelby is really in the past?’

"Clara," Sienna Hale said, calling out again when she saw her still standing. "Please, sit. Sit."

Clara Grant nodded distractedly and turned to look at Seth. He gave her a slight smile, then gently guided her to sit on the sofa.

Autumn Shelby still looked relatively calm on the surface, but inwardly, she was practically grinding her teeth to dust. Her hands were clenched into tight fists, veins bulging on their backs.

’Although she knew her ploy for pity had stirred compassion in Seth’s parents—she couldn’t be sure about his father, but she believed his mother had already forgiven her in her heart.’

’But even though they’d forgiven her, they still chose Clara Grant!’

’Clara Grant, you think you’ve won? This is just the beginning. I refuse to believe you’ll still be looking so smug in a moment!’

Seeing Clara seated, Sienna Hale glanced back at Autumn Shelby, her expression softening with pity. She turned to Theodore Quinn and said, "Theodore, since Autumn is already here, perhaps..."

But before she could finish, Theodore Quinn shot her a glare that immediately silenced her.

Although he usually doted on her and let her have her way in most things, he was unyielding when it came to matters of principle, and she didn’t dare to challenge him.

Seth naturally knew what his mother wanted to say. He looked directly at Sienna Hale and began to speak in a cold, heavy tone. "Mom, since we’re on this topic today, I’ll just make things clear to you both once and for all. You all know what I used to be like—cold, and indifferent toward women.

"So, even though I had known Autumn for over twenty years and she naturally became my fiancée, I was never particularly warm toward her."

As he spoke, he glanced at Autumn Shelby and continued, "If my coldness, my lack of concern, and my indifference made you feel deeply insecure and triggered your depression, then I am truly sorry. I also feel very guilty for all the suffering you went through because of me.

"If you had told me about your condition back then, maybe we wouldn’t have broken off the engagement. Maybe, just as my mother said, my attitude toward you might have changed. But, regrettably, you didn’t tell me, so I never knew. And so, we missed our chance.

"What’s in the past is in the past. There’s no going back for you and me. You said just now that you’re happy for me now that I’ve found happiness. In that case, I also wish that you find your own happiness soon."