Chapter 81

The door slammed with a deafening crash.

The entire room shook from the impact.

Jason Harper's rage threatened to blow the roof off.

Grace Harper's face instantly turned pale.

Hurt flashed in her eyes.

She had thought her husband invited her cousin over out of consideration.

She never expected it was all her own wishful thinking.

Jason had ulterior motives.

He wanted to use Vivian's connections to climb the social ladder.

He sought a promotion for himself.

"Vivian, I'm so sorry!"

Grace hurriedly apologized to her cousin.

"I had no idea he would suddenly bring up a transfer."

"Cousin, I truly don't have that kind of influence."

"I would help brother-in-law if I could," Vivian whispered apologetically.

If she actually had that power, she would do anything for her cousin's happiness.

"It's his delusional thinking..." Grace's eyes reddened.

"Please don't take it to heart."

"Sis, don't be upset." Vivian gently held her cousin's hand.

Grace's voice choked with emotion.

"How can I not be upset?"

"I thought he finally accepted you..."

Vivian had almost been fooled by Jason's performance too.

He kept toasting, repeatedly calling them family.

She also believed their marital relationship had improved.

She thought he was finally willing to accept her.

She never expected...

It was all calculated.

"Cousin, I'm used to it by now."

"Having family or not doesn't matter to me." Vivian shook her head.

Her gaze filled with concern.

"But you..."

Her cousin still had to continue living with Jason.

Jason turned hostile without warning.

He showed Grace no consideration at all.

Vivian feared her cousin's future would only get harder.

Grace wiped her tears.

"He just resents me for not working."

"For staying home all day without contributing."

"I never should have quit my job!"

She regretted her decision once again.

Life was unbearable without her own income.

She had to ask for money and endure disdainful looks.

"You quit to have his child." Vivian's heart ached for her.

She completely understood her cousin's struggles.

Grace felt both furious and heartbroken.

"But he and his family don't appreciate it at all."

"Now they always complain I don't earn money."

"I've made up my mind."

"If I can't get pregnant again, I'll stop trying."

"I'll find a job first."

Since no one valued her sacrifices, she refused to humiliate herself any longer.

"Sis, didn't you always want a child?"

"Why give up suddenly?" Vivian asked, confused.

She knew her cousin had wanted another baby since her miscarriage.

Grace endured her in-laws' criticism hoping to conceive again.

She wanted to avoid another loss.

Grace sighed heavily.

"It's not that easy."

"He barely touches me since the miscarriage."

Their intimate moments could be counted on one hand.

Getting pregnant seemed impossible.

She decided to stop fantasizing.

Finding a job came first.

Otherwise, she would never hold her head high in this household.

"Do you still argue often?" Vivian frowned.

When she lived with them, Jason often scolded Grace because of her.

He constantly gave Grace disapproving looks.

That was why Vivian moved out.