A Second Chance with the CEO After Divorce

Chapter 214:

In the past, Darren and Belinda had shared a deep, almost romantic bond, nearly crossing the line into a relationship.

Though he recognized the name Joyce, he had never actually seen Belinda with any other girl except Madisyn.

Belinda let out a deep sigh, burdened by the memories. “She… couldn’t go to college because of family issues and hardly ever visited Madisyn and me on campus.”

The sorrow and sense of helplessness that had marred Joyce’s expression whenever she spoke of missing out on college still haunted Belinda after all these years.

“I am the child born from my mother’s affair. My existence led to her divorce from her first husband and her marriage to my father. After my father died unexpectedly, my mother’s first husband reconciled with her to provide my older half-sister with a stable family. Consequently, I was raised by my maternal grandparents. My mother, feeling indebted to my sister, catered to her every whim. When my sister didn’t pass her college entrance exams and missed out on her dream university, she threw a tantrum. In response, my mother manipulated things so that our exam results were switched. My sister attended her dream school, while I was relegated to a lesser institution under her identity. My mother explained it was a debt we owed to my sister.”

Belinda reeling, unable to

That year, I spiraled into depression, indulged in drinking and smoking excessively, and

you were at least free to chase your dreams and choose your university. Belinda, I know you’re into jewelry design. If we

ached deeply as she pondered Joyce’s

Darren’s voice abruptly snapped her

you and

raised her eyebrows, her gaze shifting

her reaction. “It’s just that your design is so compelling, it’s bound to catch on. But if you tie it to Joyce’s name, you might

reassuring smile crossed her face. “There won’t be any issues,” she replied confidently. Four years earlier, a tragic accident had left Joyce in a coma, and her family had subsequently

to the hope that by naming her