Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Although she was still swiping her son's supplementary credit card, Beverly felt it was a significant upgrade from the last time when she hadn't spent a dime and only gifted a scarf.

As they strolled into a high-end fashion boutique, the sales associate, with a keen eye for potential big spenders, spotted Beverly immediately.

With a welcoming smile, the associate approached, "Ma'am, may I assist you with anything? These are our latest designs, luxurious and elegant, just like your aura."

Beverly, wearing a chic black Gucci coat and draped in pearls, oozed elegance.

"Sure, I'll try these two on," she responded.

Millie had just reluctantly paid for several designer bags for Beverly, maintaining a calm demeanor despite the internal anguish.

Tens of thousands of dollars!

She had never indulged in such extravagance before.

Even though she was using Murray's supplementary card, she was cautious not to appear greedy, only daring to use it for prenatal check-ups and maternity needs, occasionally splurging on minor items, never venturing into such lavish spending. To date, the only luxury bags she owned were gifts from Murray and Beverly.

Their mansion's master bedroom boasted a wall full of Hermès bags in every conceivable shade and material, but Murray forbade her from touching them.

be thinking. Just a bit of money and she's

to show that kids raised in modest families

knowing how to spend money was one thing, but not having the courage to indulge oneself was another. If Millie had boldly used the card for her own purchases, Beverly would have respected her audacity.

it, for the sake of the child she was carrying, Beverly decided to let it slide, pointing to a display

excitement,

irritated,

puzzled. This wasn't how she had expected things

them rushed to the entrance, exclaiming with joy, "Mrs Reynolds, you're here? We were

What?

creased as she turned

a high collar, complemented by a pearl shawl and carrying a designer clutch, Nola looked intelligent and

a classical painting.

a family of scholars, Nola exuded a gentle and serene demeanor. Though she

social circle of Lumina, the Reynolds and the Sherwood families often collaborated, which meant Beverly and Nola crossed paths

their acquaintance was not

the Reynolds family, always stood out, relegating others, including Beverly,

also not fond of Beverly, knowing her background as a minor celebrity who married into the Sherwood family through pregnancy, opportunistic and prickly by nature.