Memories Drifted Like Paper Boats by Zyra Cole 36

Chapter 36 

Lanette stepped up and stood behind Helene, gently massaging her shoulders as she tried to 

She said, “Don’t worry. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons are just taken with Edwina because she’s new. It’ll pass soon enough. 

“If they really cared about Edwina so much, why did they leave her behind years ago? People get older and start feeling guilty, so they try to make up for it.” 

Helene’s fingers slowly clenched. She felt Lanette made a good point. She had spent twenty years with Gloria and Darius. 

“There is no way someone like Edwina, who just showed up, could ever measure up to that. Now’s not the time to panic. I need to keep my cool, Helene thought. 

Lanette continued, “Miss Simmons, right now, Edwina isn’t the real issue. What matters is your engagement with the Gibson family. 

“Mr. and Mrs. Simmons don’t have a son. So the whole Simmons empire could end up in your hands. * 

“But to convince the shareholders, you need a strong husband. And Kelvin is hands down the best option. 

“Once you’ve got Kelvin wrapped around your finger and marry into the Gibsons, half the Simmons fortune is basically yours.” 

Helene nodded. “You’re right.” 

***** 

The next morning, when Edwina came downstairs, she immediately noticed something different about Gloria. 

Gloria was glowing with energy and exuded a charming aura, looking seven or eight year 

r overnight. 

Gloria noticed it too and kept glancing at the blood ruby bracelet on her wrist. Its color was definitely deeper. She realized all these changes were thanks to the bracelet. 

She was over the moon. “Edwina, this bracelet is incredible. I’m so happy.” No amount of tonic or collagen drinks could ever make her look this refreshed. 

Edwina watched Gloria, and in the sunlight, she could see the energy flowing through Gloria. It was so much. smoother and more vibrant than before. 

Just one night, and the blood ruby had already worked wonders. ‘Kelvin’s treasure really is worth two billion,’ Edwina thought. She responded with a smile. 

Meanwhile, Helene sat nearby, spooning her soup, but couldn’t help tossing out a sarcastic remark. 

She said, “Edwina, you always know how to get the best things for the lowest price. I spent so much, only 

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Chapter 36 

giving Mommy an unimportant bag.” 

Helene finished with a touch of self–pity, and Gloria quickly comforted her, saying, “Don’t wor really do love the bag. I’ll take it with me to the party today.” 

35 

55 vouchers. 

elene, I 

Darius had gotten back from a business trip early that morning. After freshening up, he he. 

stairs. 

He stood at the top of the stairs, giving Helene a warm smile. “Helene, you’re not quite right about that. What your mom’s wearing is a priceless blood ruby. 

“I’ve never seen one this flawless in my life. Those bags you bought? They don’t even come close to the price of this blood ruby.” 

Helene’s face flushed red, then paled. ‘If even Dad says it’s good, it must be something extraordinary. But how could Edwina afford it?‘ she wondered. 

“Edwina, how much did you spend on it?” Gloria asked, her eyes wide with surprise. 

Edwina didn’t want to get into the whol someone out, and they gave it to me.” 

money thing, so she waved it off. “It was a coincidence. I helped 

Edwina clearly didn’t want to say more, and Darius, being the understanding father he was, didn’t press her. He trusted her. 

When Gloria heard Edwina had spent so much money on it, she instantly felt a wave of heartache for her. 

She said, “My sweet girl, look at you, dressing so plainly. You should learn from Helene and treat yourself to more designer brands and jewelry. Then you won’t get overlooked or feel left out.” 

Helene paused with her spoon halfway to her mouth, feeling like she had just bitten into a bug. ‘Wait, was that supposed to be a compliment?‘ she thought. 

Gloria called Ivan over. “Go get Oliver from Swan Jewelry. I need to talk to him about an acquisition.” 

She continued, “Edwina, once I buy out Swan Jewelry, I’ll give it to you. And you can b want without any middlemen taking a cut. 

jewelry you 

“You won’t have to worry about the price. You just pick whatever you like and wear it whenever you want.” 

Edwina was speechless. ‘She’s buying my own company to give it back to me? Honestly, that’s not necessary,’ she thought. 

Edwina answered calmly, her voice cool and detached, “There’s really no need. I’m not particularly fond of jewelry.” 

“Well.” Gloria didn’t want to force her. ‘My precious girl is an absolute angel,‘ she thought. “Alright then, if you ever want anything, just let me know. I’ll make it happen for you.” 

Helene was gripping her spoon so hard she was about to snap it in half. ‘The stuff I’ve been dying for is something Edwina tosses aside like it’s nothing?‘ she fumed inwardly. 

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Gloria added, “Sweetheart, do you want a boyfriend? What kind do you like? Even a celebrity works. I can totally make it happen for you.” 

Edwina lowered her gaze, feeling a headache coming on. Gloria’s obsession with her love li last thing she wanted to deal with. 

rly the 

Edwina worried that brushing Gloria off too coldly would hurt her feelings, but if she let her masner way, Gloria would only get more and more absurd. 

Edwina set down her bowl and replied coolly, “No need. I’m heading, over to see Imelda today 

It sounded like a throwaway line, but it instantly struck a chord with Gloria. She said, “Oh, perfect. Go on, spend some time chatting with Imelda. 

“Kelvin should be at the hospital too. You young folks really ought to hang out together more. 

When it came to Gloria’s nagging about marriage, Kelvin was pretty handy. Edwina could always use him as her go–to excuse to dodge those awkward conversations. 

As soon as Helene heard Imelda’s name, she chimed in eagerly, “Edwina, let me come with you. I haven’t seen Imelda in a long time. Perhaps she misses me.” 

Helene was trying to tighten her bond with Imelda. No way was she going to let Edwina and Kelvin have any alone time together, especially when it came to winning Imelda’s favor. 

Edwina had worked as Imelda’s cook before, so they were pretty familiar. That made Helene even more determined not to let Edwina get into Imelda’s good graces before she did. 

But Gloria shook her head. “Helene, you shouldn’t go. Come shopping with me instead.” 

“Mom, I…” Helene started, trying to protest. 

“Hmm?” Gloria lifted her voice slightly. 

Helene knew this was a sign that Gloria was growing displeased. She fell silent at once 

Ided. “Okay.” 

But inside, Helene was seething. She thought, ‘Mom’s obviously trying to play matchm Edwina. 

or Kelvin and 

‘She won’t even give me a single chance. Fine, if she’s shutting me out, then she’d better be ready when I fight for what’s mine.’ 

***** 

Edwina headed to Eden Hospital. It had been almost a month since Imelda’s surgery, so Edwina figured it was about time to see how her recovery was going. 

As soon as Edwina stepped out of the elevator, she spotted Kelvin waiting off to the side. 

Edwina nodded slightly at him. That distant, perfunctory gesture served as her greeting to him. 

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Kelvin stepped up beside her, matching her pace. “Let’s go together.” He was clearly using her as a shield against Imelda’s marriage nagging. 

It was basically the same trick Edwina had pulled on Gloria that morning. Edwina didn’t were both tacitly using each other. 

3 

they 

Imelda secretly spotted Edwina and Kelvin walking over and hurried to get back into bed. “Oh my, hurry up. Get me back in bed.” She was in such a rush she even tossed her cane aside. 

The caregiver rushed over, worried. “Mrs. Gibson, is something wrong?” 

Imelda said, “No, it’s Edwina and that young rascal coming over. I have to act a bit weak so Edwina will come check on me more often. 

“And that way she and Kelvin can run into each other more often. If Kelvin could marry Edwina and bring her into the family, my life would be well–lived.”