SWNOVELS Chapter 43
Chapter 43
Chapter 43
Vanessa Sanchez froze when she sensed Madison Hawk’s gaze.
She felt that she could not move. Her entire body was so stiff she could not take a step forward.
She did not seem to be able to speak either. Her mouth felt like it was sealed by wax; she could not utter a word.
Madison smiled gently and greeted her. “Are you Vanessa?”
“A–Auntie.” Vanessa mustered up all her courage and stammered.
She feared William’s mother would be like Jackson Foster’s, who said, “I’m not your auntie! Are you worthy?”
Instead, Madison said smilingly, like a doting mother, “You’ve already registered your marriage; why are you calling me auntie? It’s all my fault; I have not given you a wedding present to welcome you to the family.”
Vanessa was dumbfounded.
She was unsure if she had heard it right.
Did Madison want Vanessa to address her as Mom now that she was married to William?
Vanessa could not say it aloud.
She feared that she would be humiliated if she addressed Madison as Mom.
William saw that Vanessa was stunned. He smiled and said, “Mom, Vanessa is shy and socially awkward. Please bear with her.”
Madison stared at her son with dissatisfaction. “We’re family now. There’s no need for polite words for the sake of it. Come in quickly, Vanessa; it’s cold outside!”
Vanessa was taken aback and could not utter a word.
She was shocked by what happened.
She could not react in time.
Vanessa could not believe William’s mother did not ask her any questions. Instead, she just told her to go inside.
What did she say?
Did Madison say Vanessa was family?
Did she genuinely understand Vanessa’s situation?
Perhaps William did not tell her the truth. Did his mother mistakenly think that Vanessa was the daughter of some wealthy family?
Otherwise, why was she so warm and friendly?
“Let’s go.” William wanted to lead Vanessa into the ward.
The latter was too afraid and stood still.
She was insistent on clarifying the matter outside the ward.
Madison pulled Vanessa’s hand and stuffed an envelope into it. “It’s our first time meeting. I’ve prepared a small gift for you.” she smiled and said.
Vanessa was so nervous she quickly retracted her hand. “A–Auntie, I can’t take it.”
“Silly girl. It’s from me. Just take it.” Madison was not angry at all. She smiled and held Vanessa’s hand again.
The latter was extremely anxious at this point and was torn between decisions. It would be disobedient if she refused the gift. Yet she dared not accept it.
“Mom gave it to us. We’ll keep it.” William took the envelope graciously.
Madison looked at Vanessa and then at her son. She laughed and said, “Come in quickly, both of you!”
She approved of the breakup between William and Tracy Yost. The young woman was too materialistic for her good.
When Madison heard from Arthur Hawk that her son was on a blind date to get married, she was a little worried. She feared that blind dates might not be the best choice. Not enough time was spent knowing each other’s backgrounds and lifestyles. There would be a high chance of meeting the wrong people.
However, Arthur felt otherwise and analyzed the situation with Madison. If William met someone on a blind date, he would start on a clean slate because he had no preconceived notions or feelings for the other party.
William was a sentimental man and was easily deceived and hurt by people he had feelings for.
Madison accepted the analysis and felt more at ease.
Chapter 43
She trusted William to choose someone with a good character if he went on a blind date.
Moreover, he had matured over the last six years and could judge people better..
Last night, Madison learned that William’s wife was from a low–income family. The young lady was the sole breadwinner and shouldered the responsibility of supporting her family. She had to shuttle between work and the hospital because her father had liver cancer, and her brother was deaf and mute. Moreover, she had to work twice as hard for her father’s
treatment.
Vanessa had lived a simple life for the last three years because of her father’s illness. However, she had never thought of giving up.
Madison was touched and filled with respect.
She was a worldly 53–year–old woman who had led a comfortable life.
She knew too well the important things in life.
A person’s character came first, wealth was second.
No one in their right mind would reject wealth. It was an easy choice.
But those who could endure hardships were rare.
Life was full of ups and downs. No one could guarantee a lifetime of wealth.
If William married someone with a good character, she would stay by his side through the ups and downs and not abandon‘ him even if he failed.
Madison could even cite a real–life example.
Her friend Mindy Wilson had two older brothers. Her eldest brother’s wife was from a well–matched family, while her second brother married someone from an ordinary family.
When the Wilson family was in its heyday, everyone looked down on Mindy’s second sister–in–law because she came from a humble background.
Unexpectedly, the Wilson family’s investments failed several years later. Its market value drastically decreased; the family went bankrupt in less than two years.
Mindy’s wealthy sister–in–law filed for divorce before the bankruptcy proceeding ended; she left the Wilson family shortly
after that.
On the other hand, her second sister–in–law stayed by her husband’s side through thick and thin.
Mindy’s second brother had been sick for two years, and his wife cared for him without a word of complaint..
Then, she took out all her savings for her husband to start a small business.
Mindy’s second brother was also a smart man. He grabbed hold of opportunities and revived the Wilson family’s business again.
Therefore, Madison told Arthur this morning she wanted to visit Vanessa’s family. At the same time, they would discuss the wedding plan.
The elderly man had been well–versed in astrology for 20 years since he retired. He picked a few good dates for the wedding and prepared some gifts before coming to the hospital with Madison.
“Vanessa and William, you’re here!” Henry Sanchez said excitedly while in bed on an IV drip.
He told the nurse to crank up his bed so he could sit up to meet William’s grandfather and mother.
Henry thought he was about to die a few days ago and could not sit up. He felt better today, probably because he was in a good mood.
“Dad,” William and Vanessa said in unison.
Then Vanessa greeted Arthur Hawk respectfully, “Hello, Grandpa.”
Even though she did not know him well, Vanessa felt at ease addressing Arthur as Grandpa. She could relate to older people
well.
“Okay, okay. Come here, my granddaughter–in–law; this is for you.” Arthur was all smiles when he saw Vanessa.
Although he did not claim to be an excellent judge of character, at his age, Arthur knew a thing or two about people in general.
“Grandpa, I can’t accept it,” Vanessa said anxiously.
William reached out and took the envelope instead. “Thank you, Grandpa.”
Arthur smiled and teased, “This is for my granddaughter–in–law. You’re not allowed to take it.”
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Chapter 43
All right, then. I’ll keep it for her.” William laughed out loud.
Henry Sanchez could not hold back his smile when he saw the close–knit family before him.
He was glad his daughter was married into a harmonious family.
Arthur smiled and glanced at Vanessa and William before saying to Henry. “We were discussing the wedding just now. Shall we choose a date for the ceremony?”
The Hawk family was a wealthy family with a business empire. However, William was the first to marry in his generation. Traditionally, more time would be spent on preparation as it was the first wedding among the grandchildren in the Hawk family.
Unfortunately, Vanessa’s father was seriously ill. Arthur hoped that Henry could see his daughter’s wedding.
It was only natural to wish the best for one’s children in life.
“Okay, okay.” Henry was more than happy to do so.
Arthur unfolded a piece of paper and pointed at a few dates. “These few days are suitable for marriage. Why don’t we choose December 19 and hold the wedding next month?”
“All right,” Henry had no objection.
He hoped he could hold on a little longer for Vanessa’s wedding.
“William and Vanessa, what do you think?” Arthur asked the couple with a smile.
Vanessa was still in shock.
She could not believe her ears that William’s grandfather and mother had no objection to their marriage.
William was all smile, “Whatever you say, Grandpa.”
Henry was equally pleased; he said to Vanessa, “Say something, my darling daughter.”