A Surprising Twist of Fates (Sierra and Theo)

Madison listened to her explanation, nodding. She hadn't given it a deep thought and merely wanted to vent her frustration.

"Mrs. Gray is really something else. She's rude, unreasonable, and completely obsessed with Benson, acting like he can do no wrong. I didn't sense a single ounce of sincerity in her so-called apology. But Mr. Gray seems cultured, polite, and soft-spoken. Benson clearly didn't inherit any of his good traits."

She analyzed seriously, still fuming from earlier.

Janet's tone had been so condescending and arrogant. When it came to being insufferable, she was right up there with William.

Sierra had long grown used to Janet's disdain for her and had long stopped caring.

"Mr. Gray has always been kind. He treated me well when I used to stay at Grandpa Edward's house."

"It's just a shame he's stuck with that kind of wife and son." Madison sighed, shaking her head. "Good thing you never married Benson. Can you imagine dealing with that woman as your mother-in-law? She'd be a nightmare."

Seeing the look of disgust on Madison's face, Sierra chuckled softly. "Mrs. Gray has never liked me or the Shaw family. She always thought that I was with Benson just to leech off them. Honestly, I can't even blame her for having such thoughts.noveldrama

"Every time William went to Gray Manor, he acted like he was just waiting for the chance to sell me off to them. Everyone knew what he was up to. And then there was the fact that she thought I had no background, no status-nothing that could help Benson's career. She even went behind my back and set him up on blind dates, trying to get him to meet other women."

"Did Benson actually go?" Madison asked in shock.

Pursuing her lips together, Sierra nodded. "Under Mrs. Gray's constant pressure, he went to meet one woman. However, as luck would have it, that same day, I happened to be at the mall buying something for him. I walked right into them having a meal together at a restaurant.

"Benson saw me and immediately panicked, jumping to his feet. I walked over and asked what he was doing, but he just stammered, unable to say a word. It was the woman who told me they were on a blind date. I was furious and turned to leave.

"He chased after me, swearing that his mother had forced him into it and that he didn't want to be there that he was just going through the motions. He even promised me it would never happen again. And I believed him."

"Cee, you were way too naive! A man's words mean nothing-how could you actually trust him? The moment you caught him sneaking around with another woman, you should've slapped him across the face and dumped him on the spot."

Madison declared firmly, looking like she wished she could jump into Sierra's memories and give Benson the slap he deserved.

"After so many years together, it wasn't that easy to just let go. And, Maddy... I was really scared of being abandoned." Sierra lowered her head and spoke softly.

She had been abandoned and rejected since she was a child. Even after living with Edward, she often feared that he would eventually leave her. In the dead of night, she would be woken up from nightmares where William and Vera had once again discarded her.

So, when she was with Benson, she was afraid of being left behind.

That fear turned into insecurity, into a desperate need to please, and into endless forgiveness—anything to fill the void that had been inside her for so long.

Madison wrapped her arms around her, offering comfort. "Cee, don't worry. I'll always be here for you. The people who truly love you will never abandon you. No matter what happens, I'll always be by your side."