BOOKSDRAMA Chapter 343
Chapter 343
Chapter 343
Half a month later, Joycelyn’s pregnancy had stabilized, and she was no longer receiving injections to protect the baby. Her
health checks had returned to normal levels, and everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.
For Joycelyn, it felt like she had made it through the first major hurdle. In high spirits, she went on a shopping spree for baby
items, nearly turning the house into a mini shopping mall.
Today, Timothy had arranged for her to visit the Schultz family’s ancestral home to reconnect with her roots.
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The Schultz family’s influence mostly lay abroad, but they still had an old family residence in the country. The visit would involve
a ceremonial reestablishment of her family’s lineage, a change of surname, and a chance to pay respects to her grandparents,
as well as her mother.
It was said that after Joycelyn’s grandfather lost her, he passed away in deep sorrow within a couple of years. Her mother,
unable to bear the blow, also died in the same year. It was said that she kept calling Joycelyn’s name in her final moments, not
even able to rest in peace.
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The Schultz family ancestral home was located in the southern regions. It wasn’t as grand as the Grant family’s estate but was
an ancient, elegant garden house passed down through generations.
Pavilions and corridors wound through the lush greenery, creating an air of timeless charm.
As they walked, Joycelyn couldn’t help but admire the beauty of the garden, feeling as though she had stepped back in time.
auty of the garden, feeling as though she had stepped back in time. Every corner seemed to exude ancient charm.
Ellison walked beside her, quietly accompanying her.
They hadn’t replaced Septima’s name; instead, they had added it, keeping everything else unchanged.
Joycelyn gazed at her mother’s memorial plaque, feeling a heavy weight in her heart. Timothy had told her that her mother had
died before reaching forty. How devastating must it have been for her to have fallen into depression?
“Mom, Joycelyn’s home now. You can rest in peace. I’m happy now, and I’m going to be a mother too,” Joycelyn said, gently
caressing her mother’s name. The emotion in her eyes welled up, and tears began to fall, uncontrollable.
Ellison moved forward, pulling out a handkerchief and gently wiping her tears. He leaned down and softly coaxed her, “Don’t cry.
Joycelyn nodded and sniffed.
After she finished lighting incense and stepped aside, the Spencer family began to pay their respects to her mother.
Unable to hold back, Joycelyn tugged at Timothy’s sleeve. “Timothy, did my mother really die from depression?”
“Yeah,” Timothy replied, nodding. He was in his teens when it happened, and he remembered it clearly.
“But as a mother, even if she lost one child, she still had you and Jerome. I don’t believe that depression could have taken her
life in just two years. A mother can become very strong for her children,” Joycelyn continued. “And both the Schultz and Spencer
families have considerable wealth. How could her life end so suddenly?”
Timothy looked down at his younger sister, his voice soft. “Do you think something’s wrong?”
“It’s just a feeling. No real evidence,” Joycelyn replied with a sigh, brushing away another tear. “Maybe I’m just overthinking
it.”
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“Hmm.” Timothy, worried about her being overwhelmed, raised a hand to gently pat her head. “Don’t overthink it. Afterward, I’ll
take you to eat something nice.”
“Okay.”
Outside the room, Lily and Bellina hadn’t entered. As Timothy was present, Lily, as his stepmother, wasn’t supposed to appear in
such a formal setting. Moreover, Joycelyn’s maternal family was also there, making her even less qualified to enter.
“Mom, I’ve been thinking. I believe your plan might actually work, Bellina said, quietly speaking to Lily as they stayed outside.
?
Lily glanced back at the imposing church, then pulled Bellina into the small garden outside. “Then you’d better be careful
“I know!” Bellina said with determination.
She had been relegated to the sidelines, and the treatment felt like a slap in the face. Once the center of attention, now she was
being ignored, left out of the spotlight. That fall from grace stung deeply, and the humiliation burned.
“Joycelyn, how about we go see your childhood room? Maybe it will help you remember something Shirley suggested, walking
over to Joycelyn.
Jeff walked over too and, with a smile, took Shirley’s hand. “After dinner, we’ll go. We can spend a few more days here and enjoy
“Okay, I’d like that,” Joycelyn replied, taking Shirley’s hand. “Let’s sit together.”
Joycelyn sat beside Shirley, and Ellison and Jeff exchanged glances. They both quietly withdrew, with Ellison assuming a
protective stance, his hands behind his back.
Joycelyn wasn’t deliberately trying to monopolize Shirley. She had something on her mind that she needed to clarify. “Do you
think someone with depression could really die within two years after being intervened with?” she asked.
“You don’t believe your mother died from depression?” Shirley immediately recognized the doubt in Joycelyn’s voice.
“Honestly, I don’t believe it. I feel that both the Schultz and Spencer families were very protective of my mom. How could she
have died so quickly?” Joycelyn’s expression was serious. “She had two sons–mothers are much stronger than we think.”
Shirley, sensing the concern, responded softly, “It’s been a while, but we’ll look into it after dinner. We can check out your mom’s
medical records, and I’ll help you review them.”
“Good. I’ll have my brother pull up her records before we talk,” Joycelyn replied.
“No problem,” Shirley assured her.
Just then, Jeff came over, and seeing them talking, he asked, “What are you two whispering about? Can’t I listen?”
“Nothing,” Joycelyn replied, her smile mischievous. She didn’t want to bring it up now but planned to revisit it later when
everyone was more relaxed.
However, things didn’t go as expected. The next morning, a loud, piercing scream shattered the peace.
“Is that Bellina screaming?” Joycelyn woke with a start, having just had a dream about her mother. She was about to ask about
her health when Bellina’s shriek interrupted her.
Soon, Lily’s voice could be heard from outside, shouting in panic, “Bellina! You two!”
The door to the room was thrown open as everyone rushed to see what had happened.
Lily stood in the doorway in her nightgown, frozen in shock like a statue.
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“What’s going on?” Richard rushed over.
When he saw the mess inside the room and the figures on the bed, he almost collapsed from the shock.
“You! Lily stuttered, her voice trembling.
Jerome, who had drunk heavily the night before, groggily opened his eyes, his head pounding as if it had been hit with a
hammer.
“Jerome! How could you do this to me!” Bellina cried from the bed, wrapping herself in the sheets, pretending to be the vidim.
Jerome, horrified by the situation, quickly sat up and said, “Bellina, how did you end up in my bed?”
As he tried to get out of bed to avoid further complications, he realized he wasn’t wearing anything. His eyes fell on Bellina, who
was in the same state.