Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 140

The moment Effie realized how valuable the gift was, she shook her head in protest. "Mrs. Smith, you're being far too generous. This is much too expensive-I really can't accept it."

"Oh, don't be silly," Mrs. Smith replied with a gentle smile. "It's nothing

extravagant, just something I picked up in a little shop while traveling abroad. I thought it was unique, and since fate brought us together, I wanted to give you a small token of appreciation."

"Really, Mrs. Smith, it's not necessary," Effie insisted, trying to hand the gift back. She knew deep down she couldn't keep it.

Mrs. Smith hesitated, then spoke with some difficulty. "Effie, the truth is, I wanted to apologize. I'm honestly embarrassed-Rankin had too much to drink last night and behaved terribly. I feel awful about it."

Effie was taken aback; she hadn't expected Mrs. Smith to know.

"Mrs. Smith, you really don't have to-" Effie started, feeling a twinge of sympathy for her.

first time Mrs. Smith

messes.

Mrs. Smith's eyes as Lyman treated Effie with such care. On the surface, the Smiths put on the perfect couple act,

she decided not to hide anymore. "Effie, you're a smart woman. I'm sure you've figured it out-Rankin and I don't really have much of a relationship. Our marriage was arranged by our families. We barely met twice before getting engaged, but

She paused,

it's too painful, you don't have to go on," Effie said gently. She could already guess the rest-she'd seen enough of these soap opera dramas to know

me feel better." Mrs. Smith gave a sad smile. "All these years, I've just

was never the faithful type, not really. He just played the part well enough to fool my family. My father, who always prided himself on reading people, was taken in too. He gave Rankin every opportunity, every resource. Once Rankin got what he

mistresses, chasing after any woman that caught his eye-even married ones. There was a scandal once, he got

for the children, and I can't let my family worry. But at least he's generous with me—the things I want, he buys. I've learned to just go along with it, and

she finished, Mrs. Smith looked at Effie and

same old drama, just with different faces. She'd