Diary of Fragile Heart (Spin of Loving You Too Long)

Even when Gladwin hastily married Flavia without notice, Abigail’s father didn’t get angry or criticize his decision. Because he knew Gladwin made decisions with careful consideration. Just like Claire and Antony’s marriage. Abigail’s father never criticized it even though Julie Hampton initially objected due to Antony’s status and age. According to him, that was Claire’s life. The happiness and sadness, Claire would enjoy them.

Unless his siblings caused trouble and embarrassed the family, only then would Abigail’s father intervene. And now, he was quite surprised to see his mother interfering too much in Gladwin’s life.

Abigail’s father knew the reasons behind Julie’s actions, but he didn’t condone them. Whatever the reason, marriage was not something to be used as a bargaining tool. It wasn’t a game where people could switch roles as they pleased.

“I will never divorce Flavia, Brother. So you can relax,” Gladwin replied, still maintaining his calm demeanor. “For now, I’ll just consider Flavia as if she’s on vacation. Or maybe she’s continuing her education somewhere far away. I know in the end she’ll come back to me.”

“Gladwin?!” His mother interjected, expressing her disapproval of her son’s mindset.

Gladwin turned. “What, Mom? Do you want Gladwin to marry Phoebe?” Gladwin looked sharply at Julie before shifting his gaze to Phoebe. “Do you want to marry me?” he asked, causing Phoebe to look back at him with a blush. Gladwin snorted in disgust at her expression. “Honestly, I’m surprised by your desires. You’re forcing a wife to leave her husband and then forcing the husband to marry another woman just to have a child?” Gladwin’s tone rose. His eyes shifted between Julie, Penelope, and Phoebe. “Mom, are you sure if I marry Phoebe, I can get a child from her?” Gladwin stared sharply at his mother, his soft voice sounding terrifying.

“Of course. I’m very sure that Phoebe will soon give you a child because she’s a normal woman. The fact that she already has a child means she’s fertile,” his mother confidently replied.

“‘Having had’ a child doesn’t mean she can have another one. And ‘not having had’ a child doesn’t mean she ‘can’t’ have one,” Gladwin replied, his eyes fixed on his mother’s face. “What if it turns out I’m the one who can’t produce offspring? What if I’m the one who’s defective?” Gladwin asked cynically, causing his mother to widen her eyes. The middle-aged woman’s body tensed up. “If I can’t give you descendants, are you planning to give me another Phoebe whom I can use as just another woman, impregnate her, and then leave her when I can’t give you a grandchild?”

“Gladwin, mind your language!” Julie Hampton scolded angrily. Her son’s vulgar words made her angry. Meanwhile, Gladwin himself felt no shame at all for saying such harsh words. Moreover, everyone present in that place were adults, including Abigail even though she wasn’t married yet.

“Why, Mom? Did I say something wrong? Weren’t you the one who considered Phoebe as a baby-making machine?” Gladwin stared at Phoebe, who now returned his gaze sharply. “Flavia, Phoebe, and any other women you plan to present to me are nothing more than baby-making machines in your eyes. Because all you care about is the birth of an heir, no matter which woman your grandchild comes from. Regardless of whether she’s suitable for me or if I love her. Am I wrong?”

“I don’t care about whatever is in your mind. What matters is, you have to marry Phoebe. Besides, Flavia has already left and chosen to divorce you,” Julie Hampton rejected coldly.

Gladwin rose, grabbing the paper from his brother’s hand and tearing it in front of everyone. “Flavia never divorced me because this document will never reach the court. And if you want me to marry Phoebe? Fine, Gladwin, I’ll marry her,” he responded, stunning Abigail, who looked at her uncle in disbelief, just like her parents. Unlike Phoebe, Penelope Madsen, and Julie Hampton, who were astonished with joy. “But, there’s something Phoebe must sign before we get married.”Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“Whatever it is,” Julie Hampton replied happily. The fact that Gladwin had changed his mind and was willing to marry Phoebe already made her happy.

Gladwin left the room, heading towards the front door. The sound of the car alarm went off as he automatically unlocked it. Gladwin then returned with a brown envelope in his hand. “Sign it now, or not at all. Because I won’t give a second chance,” he said, handing the envelope to Phoebe.

Phoebe eagerly opened the envelope. However, her happy expression turned pale instantly before turning into a deep red of anger.

“Why? Changed your mind?” Gladwin asked challengingly.

“Do you think I’m marrying you for your money?” The woman sounded offended. Gladwin just shrugged.

Julie Hampton reached for the paper in Phoebe’s hand. She grabbed her reading glasses and read it carefully. Her expression mirrored Phoebe’s, but it didn’t reach the level of Phoebe’s anger. Abigail then grabbed the paper and read it.

Somehow, the points made Abigail cheer inwardly. If it were up to her, she would happily jump for joy and proudly kiss her uncle at that moment. The letter contained Gladwin’s wishes as the first party to marry Phoebe under the condition that:

– Gladwin would only provide financial support for her ‘NEEDS.’ Not her desires.

– Gladwin will rent a house for Phoebe. Meanwhile, Phoebe is prohibited from stepping foot in Gladwin’s private areas, including his house, apartment, hospital workspace, or craft workshop.

– Phoebe is not entitled to any income from Gladwin outside of her job as a doctor. All of Gladwin’s income, efforts, and wealth are already under Flavia’s name as his lawful wife.

– Phoebe is not entitled to inquire about Gladwin’s personal matters or contest any of his decisions.

– If Phoebe violates these terms, Gladwin will annul the marriage. There will be no marital property division, regardless of what happens next in their marriage.

And other points Abigail knew were highly disadvantageous to Phoebe. Imagine, what the woman truly aimed for couldn’t be obtained from Gladwin. Her dreams seemed shattered in an instant with just a signature.

“You’re playing games with marriage, Gladwin,” Abigail’s father reprimanded.

“I’m only doing what our mother wants, Brother. Our mother has already turned my marriage into a game, so why can’t I do the same? I’m just trying to be a good son to our mother. Is that wrong?” His sarcastic reply made Julie Hampton turn pale. “So? Sign now or not at all. If you agree and sign it, tomorrow you could be Gladwin Hampton’s second wife.” Gladwin grabbed the paper from Abigail’s hand and handed it to Phoebe’s face.

Kindly, Abigail also handed her pen to Phoebe. The woman snatched the pen roughly. “Wait,” Abigail said before Phoebe signed the document. “Uncle?” Abigail looked up at her uncle. Gladwin turned. “Isn’t there a time limit included in the document for Aunt Phoebe?” She inquired.

“A time limit? What time limit?” Penelope asked sharply.

“Of course, your time limit for pregnancy. Didn’t grandma give Flavia a year to get pregnant? Surely that time was long enough considering Flavia’s condition. But for you, because you’re healthy, what about six months?” He challenged Phoebe. Phoebe immediately signed the document quickly before Abigail’s crazy idea could be realized by Gladwin.

Gladwin smirked mockingly, grabbing the paper and putting it in the brown envelope. “I don’t think that’s necessary, Abby,” Gladwin replied. “I assure you, she won’t conceive my child anytime soon.” He answered casually. “Alright, we’ll get married tomorrow. I’ll prepare everything, and you just need to prepare yourself,” Gladwin said with a sweet smile on his face. “And yes, also prepare yourself to move. Because I’ve already rented a house for you and your daughter.” Gladwin rose from his seat and looked at Abigail as if asking whether his niece would come with him or not. And of course, Abigail stood up and chose to leave her parents’ house with Gladwin.