Tees welldup in Jacqueline’s eyes as she looked at Bowena “Grandma. ”
Howenatomed to look at Stephen before looking back at Jacqueline
wah asigh, shesaid, “It’s alright, Jacqueline. Since that incident at the equestrian center was a misunderstanding, explain it again in front of everyone. I trust that Tessa’s not
Considering Bowenahad inade such a statement, no ette else dared to step in to shield jacqueline.
Sniffling. Jacqueline put on an aggrieved look and said, “That day at the center, Lasked Tessa to teach me how to ride a horse
“Everything had been going well at first, but then the horse suddenly went wild, and 1-1ellett and got hurt.”
Everyone already knew that part of the story, but judging by Stephen’s tone them eveller, it seemed like there was more to the story
No one interrupted her while they simply wanted for her to continer.
Jacqueline glanced at Stephen nervously, but his gaze was so sharp that it lightened her.
Se, she marred, “I really was just a misderstanding At that time, thought Tessa didn’t! me and had deliberately provoked the horse to hurt me
“But later, Hound out that the horse had a wound on its neck. It was Skely that i had gotten hurt before it was bought out for me to ride. Emust have accidentally pressed on its wound.com.ng it to go berserk.”
She turned to look at Tessa with teary and sad eyes. “Tsorry for misunderstanding you, Tessa Ishouldn’t have mumed the worst about you, Will you forghe me?”
Tessa frowned at her but said nothing.
Sephia approached Jacqueline at this moment. “Jacqueline, how could you think of Tessain such a bad light? Why would she possibly try to harm you?
Stephen’s father, Galeb jacobson, who was also jacqueline’s adoptive father, also booked displeased. “If you wanted to learn horseback riding, why didn’t you enroll in a proper
“Not only did you fall to learn, but you also got yourself injured and caused such a misunderstanding with your future sister–in–law.”
Jacqueline felt a deep sense of jealousy in her heart upon heating Caleb say the words “vister–in–law“.
She suppressed her emotions and said softly, “I know I was wrong”
Stephen’s voice nimed cold. “Didn’t you also claim that Tessakicked the horse hand that day, causing it to go wild? Why are you leaving that part out now?
Without waiting for her to respond, Stephen turned to his parents.
“Mom, Dad, who’s responsible for paequeline’s education? How has she ended up like this? She keeps telling lies and pulling potty tricks.”
Caleb exchanged glances with Sophia, who frowned and asked Jacqueline, “Did you really lie to us?”
pacqueline immediately burst into tears as she sobbed pitifully. “I–I was wrong, Mom!”
Howena’s gaze grew stem. “Jacqueline, you only told me that it was a misunderstanding. You didn’t tell me it was ale is this what you’ve learned throughout your years of education you thought to be and takely accusrothers?”
Samuell and Marianne finally understood what had happened.
Looking displeased, Samuel said, “Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson, Tessa would never harm someone. Don’t you think we deserve an explanation since your child lied and Edsely accused her?
Marine chimed in, “That’s right. Tessa is the apple of our eye. Our family may not have as much power or influence as the jacobsons, but our daughter is kind and pure–hearted She would never stoop to doing such disgraceful things”
Hearing her parents‘ words, Tessa felt deeply touched
Over the years, her relationship with her family had been strained,
idal not mean they did not love or care for her.
As for her stepmother, Mariant, Tessa had always acknowledged how well she treated her. Yet, Tessa singgled with her feelings and had never been able to fully accept her.
jacqueline cried even harder as tears streamed down her face. She stood up and tumed to Tessa. “I’m sorry, Tessa I was wrong, I shouldn’t have lied and accused you. I’m sorry
Rowena sighed. “Tessa, it’s true that Jacqueline was in the wrong, but she’s already apologized to you. Can you forgive her now?
Tessarowned Why did Rowena sound so impatient and annoyed!
The way the phased it made it seem like Tess would be seen as enable if the reused to forgive jacqueline
pistas Tessa was about to respond, Step beat her to it. “Granda, what are you saying? Whether or not Tessories Jacqueline is her doction to make. No one has the right In pressure her into doing so.”
Rowena’s expondon darkened “Stephen, are you accusing me of something?
Stephen locked at her inddierently. “I’m not. I’m jest asking you not to pressure Tessato forgiving (acqueline”
Sering that Stephen was beginning to argue will on her behalf, Tessa did not hesitate as she quickly said, “it’s alright. I’ve
gwmber”
With that said, she tumed to look at Stephen and reached for his hand. She then squeezed his hand gently, signaling him not to argue with Rowena ang further.
Receding turnal, the shacpetens in Stephen’s eyes softened.
Jacqueline was staged she saw their exchange that she gritted her teeth hard
