Ch. 566..570: Divorced My Scum Husband, Married His Evil brother Chapter 566-570

Chapter 566

She knew that Vernon would never forget all the bad things that had happened in his childhood, and Dorothea was ready to take all the blame. She deserved it anyway.

"But is it wrong for me to wish that he'd at least tolerate me?" Dorothea asked, to which she got no answer. Because she had to meet with her second son first before hearing his verdict.

Knock. Knock.

Dorothea lifted her head when she heard the knock. She peered suspiciously and then asked, "Who's there?"

"I am Mr. Phoenix Gray's driver, Madam. He told me to pick you up, please come out."

Dorothea gulped. She stepped towards the front door and checked from the peephole. She saw a man wearing a suit.

Dorothea opened the door and observed the man from head to toe silently.

The man bowed respectfully and said, "I'm here to escort you to the Phoenix Tower. He has been waiting for you today, please come with me."

"Wait, before we leave, can I ask if Chloe is also there?" Dorothea felt slightly nervous, thinking that Chloe would leave her alone with Vernon. She wasn't ready to face her second son after all the things she had done to him in the past.

She needed a support system, and that would be Chloe, of course, as she was the only person who had ever forgiven and accepted Dorothea.

"Mr. Phoenix Gray didn't give me any information regarding his wife, Madam. But I believe that Mrs. Phoenix Gray is currently in the apartment, because I'm usually the one who drives her around the city."

Dorothea wasn't all that surprised when the man called Chloe 'Mrs. Phoenix Gray' or her boss' wife. Because Dorothea already knew that Vernon's obsession with Chloe knew no bounds.

Vernon was bound to be with that woman, and Dorothea was actually glad that Chloe was the woman who entered his heart.

Because she knew that Chloe had so much impact on Vernon during his childhood stage, and she was also a good woman.

After all, without proper care, she didn't think that Mackie would grow up to be a good child.

'And Vernon will definitely turn even worse than my first son. He is far more scheming and scarier than Vincent, he will definitely become the bigger monster if Chloe didn't come into his life back then.'

"Ah, that's relieving," Dorothea let out a relieved sigh. "Well, let's go then, I want to see my son and daughter-in-law."

"This way, Madam."

The driver opened the car door for Dorothea and drove to the Phoenix Tower, which was quite far from her current stay.

Because she was staying in a dilapidated motel far from the center of New York, where the Phoenix Tower was located.

After all, she needed a place where it'd be hard for Vincent to locate her while she was launching an attack on the Gray foundation. This place suited her because Vincent would never expect her to lower her standard and live in such a run-down motel.

She also believed that it was the place she deserved. A place where there was nothing but sadness and despair, a place people would call garbage, just like her.

The car took a sharp turn once it entered the basement of Phoenix Tower. The driver parked the car at a reserved spot, and once he turned off the engine, he looked behind and stared at Dorothea, "We're here, Madam. Mr. Phoenix Gray has been waiting for you on the fifth floor, room 505. You may take the elevator."

The man handed a card as the key to open room 505, and Dorothea accepted it before exiting the car.

She entered the elevator and stopped on the fifth floor.

Ding!

The elevator door slid open, and Dorothea's eyes widened when she saw Chloe, who had been waiting in front of the elevator.

She looked happier than before, a lot ruddier and more beautiful too. She looked ravishing, just like before she got married to Vincent. Dorothea knew that Chloe must be very happy staying with Vernon, especially after ten years of abuse from Vincent.

But Dorothea still couldn't get used to Chloe's free smile and open hug, "C--Chloe?" she called her name, making sure it was her daughter-in-law.

"Mhm, welcome back, Dorothea. How about a hug?" Chloe offered as she opened her hand.

Dorothea hesitated momentarily, looking around to check, and Chloe giggled when she saw it, "Don't worry, Vernon is inside the room. I'm just here to greet you. It's been a month since the last time we met. I miss you."

Dorothea stared at Chloe, who didn't seem to have any kind of reluctance or suspicion toward her. So she let down her guard and stepped out of the elevator.

They hugged tightly, but it was mostly Dorothea who hugged Chloe so tight, as if it was her last. She felt like she hadn't seen Chloe for a long time, even though it had been only one month since the last time they had met.

She really thought that she wouldn't be able to see Chloe anymore after Vernon went on a rampage against her. She thought her life was over, and she'd lose the only person caring for her well-being.

"Thank you for giving me another chance, Chloe. I know it must be really hard for you to convince Vernon about this," Dorothea said.

"Mhm, well, the bet is dangerous, but the reward is well-worth it. At least I can give you another chance to talk with him, but...." Chloe hesitated momentarily before continuing, "But this is your last chance, Dorothea. I keep asking Vernon to let you inside our small family, but he is hellbent to reject your presence. I hope that you can convince him now, or we might never meet anymore...."

"I will try to convince him. You've worked hard for this, so I have to at least try my best," Dorothea said.

Chloe was relieved by the answer. She thought Dorothea had given up on everything and wouldn't even try to convince Vernon.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Go into room 505 and convince him! Good luck, Dorothea!"

Chapter 567

"Well, what are you waiting for? Go into room 505 and convince him! Good luck, Dorothea!" Chloe cheered on her as she separated their hugs and pushed Dorothea until they reached the door of room 505.

Chloe took a few steps back and went to the elevator to give Dorothea time for herself so she could gather her courage before opening the door.

Dorothea stared at the door in front of her. To say that she was nervous was an understatement. She actually thought she'd die out of fright right now.

She still wished that Vernon would somehow accept her back, even though the possibility was very low to almost impossible at this point.

'I just want him to allow me to visit Chloe and Mackie during every Christmas and New Year, it'd be more than enough for me. I can't ask for much due to all the things I did to him in the past.'

Dorothea scanned the card key until the door was unlocked. She wiped her sweaty palms on her long skirt before grabbing the door handle. She took a deep breath before pushing the door open.

Click.

As the door opened, the first thing that Dorothea saw was Vernon, who sat at a table with two chairs in the middle of the room, and there was a wine bottle on the table with two wine glasses.

Vernon darted his eyes at Dorothea and crossed his arms. He scrunched his brows as their eyes met, and there was an obvious hostility in his eyes which petrified Dorothea.

Dorothea expected nothing less from this meeting, and she had prepared herself for the hostility.

But when she had to face her son, she realized she wasn't as strong and courageous as she expected.

Vernon scoffed, "Why are you standing at the door like an idiot? Sit and let's get this over with. We know what'll happen anyway."

Dorothea said nothing but approached Vernon carefully and sat on the opposite seat.

Vernon leaned back, still with his arms crossed and his eyes peering at his mother. He zipped his mouth tightly, not even planning to speak a thing in front of Dorothea because he thought there was nothing to talk about anyway.

There was nothing but awkward silence for a long time until Vernon suddenly scoffed, "You know that I won't change my mind just because you're trying to coax me, right? Wait, do you even know how to coax? I'm pretty sure you'd beat me with a bottle every time I cried when I was a kid, hahah!"

Dorothea bit her lower lip and lowered her head instantly. She felt ashamed whenever she was reminded of her past sins, especially from her own son.

"You do know that I'm doing this for Chloe, right? So why don't we just finish this bullshit meeting and act like we never know each other after this?" Vernon was about to get up and leave Dorothea before the latter finally opened her mouth.

"Chloe told me to talk to you, and try my best to convince you. We should do that at least," she suggested. "I know she has done a lot for us, and this is her attempt to fix things between us."

Vernon stopped and returned to his seat, "There's nothing to fix between us. You're never my mother to begin with. All you did was just give birth to me, you didn't even breastfeed me."

"I was having baby blues back then...." Dorothea admitted. "I couldn't face you when you were a baby. So I had to hire a wet nurse."

"Did you still have your baby blues when I was six? Maybe that was the reason why you beat me up so bad back then," Vernon sneered. "Just admit it, Dorothea. You're a horrible person, and you're just trying to get us to accept you, so you won't feel lonely, right?"

...

Dorothea nodded reluctantly. As much as she hated to admit it, she knew that she had failed to be a decent mother, and she also failed everything in her life, and nobody wanted to accept her.

So this was actually an attempt for Vernon and Chloe to accept her, so she could find a place she could call a family.

Though, the whole process didn't seem to be going smoothly, especially with Vernon, who was so hostile against her.

Vernon's lips thinned when he saw Dorothea nodding. So it was clear that Dorothea didn't even try to hide her idea of joining his little family because nobody wanted to accept her, not even her beloved son, Vincent Gray.

Vernon was actually hurt when Dorothea confirmed his suspicion. Because that meant his estranged mother only came to him because she had nowhere else to go.

Vernon was always the second choice for his own mother.

"You have a family of your own, go to Vincent. I bet he will let you stay," Vernon said.

"You know I can't do that anymore," Dorothea murmured. "I ruined his Gray foundation and give him a lot of headaches right now, the only thing he will do if we meet is to kill me."

"Heh, so that's why you're destroying the Gray foundation and creating a lot of problems for Vincent. So you will have nowhere to go now, and use it to make Chloe pity you?" Vernon accused. "Well, it's working. Chloe pities you so much, she even went against me just to prove a point that you've changed. Congratulations, Dorothea Gray, you've successfully fooled my woman. But that's because Chloe has a kind heart, so it's not hard to gain her sympathy."

"But I'm not kind. I am far more evil than you'd ever imagine. You'd be surprised how many times I've planned to kill you before," Vernon admitted without hesitation. "You should thank Chloe for saving your life. The only reason why I haven't killed you is because I don't want Chloe to hate me. She has been protecting you this whole time, you selfish bitch."

 

Chapter 568

Dorothea's heart started aching as Vernon mentioned how much he wanted to kill her. She knew it was justified for Vernon to have that kind of vengeful drive toward her.

She also knew that getting killed by her own son might be the best retribution that Dorothea would ever get.

'But I still feel sad nonetheless,' Dorothea thought. 'Now I know there is no hope in us bonding as mother and son.'

"You might be able to fool Chloe many times you want, but you should know that you'll never fool me, Dorothea," Vernon stated firmly. "Now that you've gotten my answer, let's wrap this up and never see each other, looking at your face makes me sick."

Dorothea saw that Vernon was about to get up and leave again, so she took a deep breath and answered, "You're not allowed to leave, Vernon. I'm yet to say what I want to say."

"Tsk, fine! Just say it and let's get this over with!" Vernon yelled and sat on his seat again.

'Stay strong, Dorothea. Vernon's anger is well justified because you've been a horrible mother to him. But no matter how angry he is, you must stay on your ground and tell him what you want,' Dorothea braced herself.

Dorothea was about to say something but stopped when she noticed the Dalmore Wine on the table.

Dorothea loved this wine so much and drank it whenever she was stressed out with life. She assumed this was also Vernon's favorite wine since they were related.

And the fact that Chloe was the one who set this up, it was obvious that she wanted Dorothea to drink and relax.

Thus, Dorothea poured the wine into the two wine glasses and grabbed hers. She took a sip and felt more relaxed.

Vernon watched how his estranged mother kept on taking a sip of her wine glass, and he scoffed, "You're going to get drunk now? How ironic. Your alcoholism is reason why I hate you so much. You were drunk most of the time when I was a kid, and then you'd beat me with the wine bottle when I was trying to get your attention."

"Vernon, I can't return back to the time when you were young," Dorothea said. "I'd love to get the chance to return back in time and take care of you as a proper mother, but I can't, and now I'm facing my retribution."

"There are a lot of things I want to say to you, but I know that you won't listen because you hate me to the bone."

"And it's well deserved, you're a shitty mother," Vernon added. He wanted to challenge Dorothea. He wanted to see her acting like a crazy drunkard again, so he could continuously hate on her.

But Dorothea was calm, as if Vernon's provocation didn't faze her.

She nodded in response, "Indeed, I am a shitty mother, and the hatred is well deserved. I... I want to apologize, but I don't know where to start...."

"No need to apologize, but I'd probably forgive you after you're dead, heh," Vernon was entertained by his own statement. He thought Dorothea would react hysterically after what he said just now.

But she nodded in agreement and added, "It's true. I think the only way for you to forgive me is with my death. That's why I'm not asking you for forgiveness, since both of us know that it's futile anyway."

"Since you know it's futile, then stop trying to influence my woman with your pitiful act!"

...

"Let me tell you something about my past, Vernon," Dorothea said, knowing it was impossible to get forgiveness. She took a big gulp from her wine glass and started her story.

"Back before I married your father, I was just a naive girl born from a wealthy family. Vaughn Gray was the hearthrob in our circle. He was handsome, gallant, with a superb family background. He was the ideal bachelor for all the young women, and I was no exception."

"I fell in love with his charm, and the way he made me feel loved when we were dating. He said all the good things about me that made me say yes when he suddenly proposed. We were at our marriageable age back then, so I said yes without thinking twice."

"Everything starting from our quick engagement up to the wedding day was perfect. Vaughn was an amazing man, and I felt the envious gazes of those women who failed to marry the ever-so-charming Vaughn. I was proud and happy, and I thought my happiness would stay until the end of my life."

"Vaughn treated me well for a year until I gave birth to Vincent. Then he started returning late from work, which he told me was just because he got a lot of work to do."

"I accepted his alibi back then because he just took over the company after his father retired. He worked hard for both of us, and worked hard for Vincent, and I was just a traditional housewife who wouldn't question a thing as long as things were doing well in the Gray mansion."

"Then, I finally discovered his cheating when Vincent was about three years old. I caught him red handed fucking a maid in one room inside the Gray mansion. I was utterly shocked and became hysterical when I saw it."

"But Vaughn acted as if nothing was wrong, and I was just overreacting over something so trivial. He made it look like the whole cheating thing was normal for a man to do, because a man would get bored easily."

"I asked for a divorce right on the spot, but he beat me up because of that. He told me not to say a thing and never ask for a divorce, because it would ruin his reputation. He said that he'd kill my entire family if I dared to open my mouth about his new adultery hobby."

"He forced me to play house in front of Vincent while he cheated behind my back repeatedly. The man that I loved became a monster that I hated the most."

Chapter 569

"I wanted to run away. I tried to escape from the clutch of that bastard to no avail. He got everyone believing that he was the best husband and also best father to me and Vincent."

"I was like a caged canary. I could only watch as he kept bringing more and more women into the mansion and fucked them. Sometimes he forced me to watch," Dorothea's voice started getting shaky as she tried to remember all the horrible things Vaughn did to her back then. "So I thought all I could do was to raise Vincent to be a good man. Since I've failed as a wife, I would at least not fail as a mother."

"And you think you didn't fail as a mother after abandoning and abusing me?" Vernon interrupted. "You need to get your mind checked, Dorothea. Crazy bitch."

…

Again, Dorothea wasn't fazed by his provocation, much to Vernon's annoyance.

He disliked how Dorothea tried to act like a normal person as if she wasn't the one who'd cry hysterically and beat Vernon whenever she felt like it.

She was his monster, and he hated seeing his monster acting so pitiful, as if she was also a victim.

"Oh yeah? So what if you got beaten by Vaughn? Did that give you the right to beat me back? You hated me just because of Vaughn?" Vernon asked though it sounded more like a challenge.

Dorothea swallowed her saliva. Her body started shaking as she tried hard to maintain her dignity and composure in front of her son, so she wouldn't look like a crazy bitch he could easily kick out.

"Just like what I told you before. I got baby blues after I gave birth to you. But my baby blues happened for a reason," Dorothea explained. She took a deep breath and continued, "Back then, I had no intention of having another child after Vincent, especially not from Vaughn. Just the idea of conceiving his baby made me sick. But he raped me. He beat me up until I was half conscious and then raped me, and you… you're the product of that rape, Vernon…."

SLAM!

CRACK!

Dorothea almost jumped out of fright when Vernon suddenly slammed the table until there was an obvious crack in the middle. He glared at Dorothea with a gaze full of rage, but there was also a tint of grief in it.

Vernon opened his mouth a few times but then closed it as he didn't know what to say. Many mixed feelings were brewing inside his mind, so much so that he didn't know what to say anymore.

There was a long silence between them, but Dorothea noticed Vernon's eyes were glazed with tears. Her heart ached for him, but she had to tell the truth, so Vernon knew she also had a reason to experience such crazy turmoil in her life when Vernon was around.

Vernon was a product of rape, and though it wasn't his fault to be born in such a condition, Dorothea's mental condition got hit severely whenever she saw Vernon around her.

"This is bullshit," Vernon murmured. His voice was hoarse. "I don't want to believe an abuser like you. You told me that I'm the product of a rape? HAH! THAT'S BULLSHIT!"

Vernon already knew that it was definitely the truth. It all made sense how Dorothea treated him so differently compared to Vincent.

Dorothea hated him because his existence was unwanted.

Dorothea must've been filled with loathing whenever she saw Little Vernon, and if this whole rape stuff was true, then even her hatred toward Vernon was justified.

But if Dorothea's hatred and abuse towards Vernon were justified, where would Vernon place his vengeance?

All this time, he always believed that he would avenge all the pain he experienced in the past for the Gray family. But now that he discovered that Chloe and Dorothea were abuse victims, he had no right to hurt them. Because no matter how hurt and angry he was, he would never hurt someone who had been abused.

He had experienced a childhood full of beating, so he knew how traumatizing it was.

Vernon clenched his fist until his whole body trembled out of rage. He got up and kicked the table until it flipped to the side, shattering the wine glasses and bottle.

Dorothea flinched out of fear. She closed her eyes immediately, scared Vernon might beat her up because she told the truth.

But she felt nothing after a few seconds, and once she opened her eyes again, she saw her son who stood still, with his fist clenched and tears wetting his cheeks.

The ruthless and powerful Vernon Phoenix Gray, the second son that never shed a tear after getting beaten by her back then, actually cried.

Vernon's tears gave a mental shock to Dorothea. Because she didn't expect Vernon to actually cry. She just thought that Vernon would go on a rampage and kill her.

His tears also evoked Dorothea's motherly nature. She got up and tried to hug her son, wanting to comfort him.

But Vernon quickly shook off Dorothea's arms to avoid the hug, "DON'T YOU DARE TO HUG ME, YOU OLD BITCH!"

Dorothea was shocked by Vernon's refusal. She really thought that Vernon had opened his heart after knowing the truth.

Dorothea was saddened. She wanted to hug her son since they had never done it before.

But she respected his refusal and took a step back.

Vernon wiped the tears and glared at Dorothea with his red eyes. He refused to show weakness in front of his estranged mother.

"Do you think that I will suddenly accept you after you told me about your life story? Hah, that's ridiculous!" Vernon yelled. "You're telling me all this to show that Chloe is just like you, right? Both of you are victims of domestic abuse and suffering under the hands of evil husbands."

Dorothea nodded. It was her original intention. So Vernon knew that Chloe's sympathy towards her wasn't unfounded, and she didn't try to manipulate a kind woman like Chloe.

Chapter 570

Both Chloe and Dorothea naturally bonded because of trauma. They both knew how hard it was to live under the terrible suppression of monsters they had to call husband.

They also had nobody they could rely on for so long. The only difference they had was that Chloe had the guts to leave Vincent, whereas Dorothea had no courage and continued enduring the pain until Vaughn's death.

Unfortunately, even after Vaughn's death, Dorothea still couldn't find peace.

She was still filled with sadness and hatred. She was nothing but a bitter old woman to so many people out there, and her depression worsened as time went on.

"You two might have the same life, but you did something that Chloe will never do!" Vernon yelled louder to mask his aching heart right now. "Despite having the same circumstance as you, Chloe NEVER hurt Mackie! She raised Mackie to be a good daughter, and always tried to shelter the little girl from the harsh reality until she eventually found out about it by accident!"

"Do you know how devastated Chloe got when she realized that Mackie isn't the same ignorant little girl anymore? She thought her life was done for!"

"But how about you, Dorothea Gray?" Vernon confronted, then made a mocking remark, "Oh, I am abused, that's why I will also abuse my own second son because he is a product of rape. I will hit him so hard with that bottle of wine, just because I feel like it!"

"See how ridiculous that is? And you dare to lump yourself together with Chloe? Don't make me laugh, Dorothea!"

"Vernon--I--I--didn't--" Dorothea could only stutter as she had no way to retaliate.

Both of them knew it was the truth.

She wasn't as good as Chloe. She used Vernon to vent her frustration against Vaughn, even though Vernon was just an innocent little boy who knew nothing about the situation surrounding him.

She was just as bad as Vaughn and Vincent. She was a monster that would live forever in Vernon's head.

Vernon's chest rose up and down as he got triggered by the whole thing surrounding his life.

If he could, he wished to have never known about this. He preferred to stay ignorant and continued with his plan to ruin Dorothea's life.

"Remember, Dorothea. Just because you have some sad story, doesn't mean that I will forgive all the abuse you did to me back then! I don't care if you've been beaten by Vaughn or not, that doesn't give you the right to beat me!"

Dorothea kept getting attacked by Vernon's words until her legs trembled, and she slumped on the floor.

"So--Sorry--"

"Don't you fucking apologize now!" Vernon snapped. He pointed at Dorothea's head with his index finger. He continued, "You have twenty years to apologize for all the abuses you did to me back then, but you never say a single sorry to me. All you did was just get drunk and cry about your messy life!"

"You loathed everything, including my presence! Just the fact that I could breathe was enough to send you into rage and beat me for no reason!"

"Dorothea Gray, I will fucking break your bones if you dare to utter an apology now!"

Vernon's last sentence completely shattered Dorothea. She looked up to see her son, whose eyes were glazed with tears again.

Vernon bit his lower lip until it bled to hold off his sobs, "I'm done with you and all of this bullshit! Just leave and stop bugging my little family."

"V--Vernon, my son, I--"

"DON'T YOU DARE CALLING ME YOUR SON!" Vernon shouted as loud as he could. He was so agitated right now that he might lose control anytime soon. "I don't have a mother, Dorothea. You're dead to me!"

Vernon couldn't bear to stay in the same room as Dorothea. So he stormed out of the room before he did something to Dorothea that might upset Chloe.

SLAM!

Vernon opened the door and slammed it behind him. He wasn't surprised to see Chloe standing only two feet away.

Of course, Chloe would get curious about what would happen to her beloved mother-in-law.

"Have you been eavesdropping the whole time?" Vernon asked.

Chloe gulped and nodded slowly. After all, there was no point in hiding it, and Vernon surely would appreciate her honesty.

Vernon stared at Chloe's concerned eyes for a while and then sighed. He truly couldn't stay mad for too long when Chloe was around.

"Dorothea is inside. Don't worry, I did nothing to her. We just had a chat, if you could call it a chat, since it's mostly just me shouting at her," Vernon admitted. "You should check on her."

Vernon was about to walk away to calm himself down, but Chloe suddenly grabbed his arm.

"How about you, Vernon?" Chloe asked.

"Huh? Me?"

"Yes," Chloe nodded. "Do you need time alone, or do you need me to be with you?"

"Tsk, why do you care about me anyway? Just think about that old woman first."

"You're my priority, Vernon," Chloe insisted. "Everything I did the whole time is for you. So I won't let you leave without giving me an answer."

...

"Do you know about the circumstances regarding my birth?"

"Yes," Chloe admitted. "Dorothea told me. That's why I want to make sure you're alright. You're the one who got hurt the most here."

Vernon took a deep breath and finally turned around to face Chloe again. He stepped forward and hugged his beloved woman tightly, then kissed her head.

"If you know about my birth circumstance, then you should know that I have nobody but you and Mackie in this world. I have nothing without you two by my side."

"So you shouldn't think that you have no worth, Chloe. You are everything in my life, you're the woman who has given me something to look up in the future. I am probably dead by this point without you by my side."

**

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