With a swift move, Xanthe stepped forward, clutching the leg of Dexter’s trousers. “He can’t compare to you. You were pampered by your grandfather since childhood and cared for by servants. But Brodie grew up experiencing hardships from a young age. He’s been sick and has been taking medicine since he was a child. He knows he has a brother, and every day he tells me how much he wants to meet you. Dexter, he’s your younger brother. Direct any grievances you have toward me. I will bear them. Please, I beg you, don’t treat him this way.”
In a fleeting moment, Dexter saw the maternal love radiating from her. However, it was directed toward someone else.
A flicker of pain flashed across his eyes. He gazed at her for a long time. “Have you ever regretted it?”
“What?”
“Have you ever regretted leaving me behind in the first place?”
Xanthe hadn’t forgotten the child who had once cried in the rain. Yet, as she recalled her state of mind at that time, she felt no regret. “I was so oppressed in Russell Mansion. When your father died, all I felt was relief. I was desperate to leave, Dexter, can you understand me? I had no choice but to leave you behind.”
Dexter probably heard it clearly. He closed his eyes, a subtle pain uncontrollably surfacing in his heart.
He lifted his leg, striding outward. Xanthe shouted, “No, I regret it, Dexter! Listen to me, I regret it!”
Josie crouched down, almost able to envision Dexter’s disappointment at that moment.
She stood up. “You are not worthy of being a mother.”
“What right do you have to judge me? If it weren’t for you, none of this would have happened, you witch!” Xanthe lunged at Josie, slapping her fiercely.
With quick reflexes, Arnold swiftly pulled Josie away.
Josie fell to the ground, but she didn’t struggle. Instead, she looked at Xanthe and said, “You know, I have a child now.”
Xanthe’s eyes widened.
“You once told me to have a child to secure my position in the Russell family. You didn’t expect it, did you? I really do have a child now.” Facing Xanthe’s astonishment, Josie continued, “The child is Dexter’s. Now that I’m a mother, I believe I could never abandon my own child. Therefore, I can’t comprehend your actions. All the pain and regret you’re feeling now is because your youngest son is suffering. Not a single bit of it is for Dexter. The first time I saw him, he was sitting in the rain, crying as he watched your car drive away. I will remember that image for a lifetime.”
A sense of vulnerability started to surface on Xanthe’s face.
“Even though I detest Dexter just as much as you do, I actually feel quite sorry for him for having a mother like you.”
Having said that, Josie rose to her feet and walked straight out.
Arnold quickly caught up. “Sympathy may not be a good thing. It can lead to love.”
Josie was not in a good mood. She quickened her pace. “You’re no saint either, so stop playing the good guy here.”
Arnold closely followed her. “You don’t hate Xanthe anymore? I thought you would take action, given such a good opportunity.”
It wasn’t that there was no resentment, but rather, there was no desire.
Dexter had exacted the best revenge for her. The inner turmoil they both felt was undoubtedly immense. Josie felt that this was enough.
Confronted with Arnold’s incessant chatter, Josie suddenly halted in her tracks.
