The Queen's Back

Chapter 16

Returning to the Clem family honte felt different for Mona this time. Today was the day she and Maxwell were getting their marriage license, and nothing-not even the paternity test results-could dampen her mood.

Mona quietly tucked the test results into her bag, deciding to deal with them later. Just then, she felt a pair of strong hands wrap around hers. Looking up, she saw Maxwell's deep, reassuring gaze. "Don't be upset. None of this is your fault," he said softly. He seemed to get how she felt.

Maxwell thought back to his own childhood, before he was brought into the Carter family. Back then, he lived with his mother and had to endure being called a bastard. Even after joining the Carters, he still felt the sting of being seen as illegitimate. No one dared say it out loud in the Carter house, but the bitterness and sense of inferiority never really went

away.

He could imagine how hard it must be for Mona to learn that her father wasn't her real father.

"Yeah, I know. Let's go inside. Grandma and Grandpa must be waiting," Mona said.

It wasn't her fault anyway. The real troublemakers were Barbara and Teddy-the ones who'd pushed her off a building in her past life-and Beatrice and Jeremy, who had caused her mother's death. If she wasn't supposed to hold onto her feelings, then she wouldn't. She'd learned that lesson the hard way.

As soon as Mona and Maxwell walked in, she handed their marriage license to Jane. Meanwhile, Mona noticed the envy in Barbara's eyes. It made sense-Maxwell was a big deal in Nathontown, a business powerhouse and a standout among his peers. Teddy wasn't even in the same league.

knew all too well that Barbara was incredibly selfish. She

marriage license photos were stunning.

beautiful. Mona, you're as lovely as your mother," Jane said, her eyes glistening. Mona was looking more and more like Emily, especially

genes were strong-each generation seemed to get even

exclaimed, genuinely surprised. She hadn't expected Mona to go through with marrying Maxwell. Wasn't Mona supposed to be in love with Teddy? But now that Mona was married, maybe she could convince Bernard and Jane to let Barbara marry

a good amount of sway in Nathontown. Plus, after the mess at

he still be with Mona?' she wondered. Barbara's words put Mona on edge. "Yeah, I used to think that too. But here's something you might not know, Barbara-1 don't keep trash around. And that includes people. Didn't you realize you've already slept with Teddy?" Barbara had meant to provoke Maxwell, but she didn't expect Mona to expose her affair with Teddy so bluntly, Her face flushed red, as if

with a sweet smile. "If anything, I should thank you. Without you,

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hand, giving him

home.

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she was wrong. Let's just move on. You're married to Maxwell now,

when Mona thought Jeremy was her dad, she put up with it. But now that she knew they weren't