Matthew needed to make a pending decision in the living room of Sterling Mansion.Elaine stared at him with intimidation, refusing to accept her husband giving in to Jacqueline’s whims — a mermaid in girl’s form, according to her.Aline and Sheila, on the other hand, were finally united with a goal: to make Matthew oppose his wife.Matthew sat next to Elaine and took her hand. “Darling, I need you to understand me...”Elaine shook her head like a possessed person. “No, Matt, don’t go to that hellish wedding...”“I have to go, dear! Jacque is my friend, I feel sorry for her. She sees me as her older brother.”“She sees you as a man!” Elaine barked. “She was in love with you last year, remember? She wanted to snatch you from me, helped by Patricia!”“Now, hold on a minute!” Matthew released Elaine’s hands. “Let’s not revisit that dark past.”“Matt, keep your word! What kind of businessman would you be if you change your mind every time a woman charms you? Next time, Patricia will be sin

“What is there to do, darling?” Karl asked, sarcasm practically his middle name. “It’s clear as day — just like I’ve been saying all along.”“Sweetheart, I don’t think you really get it yet,” Sheila turned serious, wanting to explain everything. “The Borges family was invited. Patty confirmed she’s coming. That’s what’s driving Elaine mad — Matt and Patty at the same wedding!”“And you say that like it’s a bad thing?” Karl chuckled.“Isn’t it? I mean, if Patty and Matt get caught up in the romantic mood of the wedding, watching Jacque and Zach exchange vows...”“They’ll want to do the same,” Karl finished. “And what’s wrong with that?”“What’s wrong is that our son is STILL MARRIED!” Sheila crossed her arms in frustration.“I thought you were against that marriage.” Karl shrugged.“I am. Your mother and I laughed our heads off when Matt went against Elaine. I don’t think I’ve agreed with your mother on anything in all our married years.” Sheila calmed down a bit. “The thing is, I don’

Elaine stormed into the Sterling Mansion’s living room, her furious steps like a runaway train. Sheila even found it momentarily funny.“Elaine, you look like a charging bull!” Sheila joked.“SHUT UP, you old hag!”“ELAINE!” Karl thundered. “How dare you insult my wife?”“The same way she insults your mother.” Elaine smirked ironically. “Oh, I’m sorry! Did you two make peace today, or is it just a temporary truce to encourage Matt to go against me?”“Elaine, how long are you going to keep up with this madness?” Karl rubbed his temples in exaggerated distress. “Just give my son the divorce, reveal who the baby’s real father is, and marry him! Let my son be happy with Patty.”“NEVER!” Elaine screamed until her voice cracked.“You don’t want my son to be happy?” Karl asked, pretending to be confused.“He’ll never be happy with Patricia Borges — get that through your heads!” Elaine was on the verge of a breakdown.“Then why did he agree to attend Jacqueline and Zachary’s wedding?” Karl as

Matthew was comfortably reading on the couch in the master suite of the Sterling Mansion. He wore a robe and sandals, focused on his hardcover book.Suddenly, Elaine BURST IN furiously after yet another argument with her in-laws.Matthew rolled his eyes and turned to her, sighing. “Darling, at this rate, we’re never going to have a baby.”Elaine slumped into his gamer chair, fuming. “Isn’t that what your parents want? For me to miscarry so I’ll divorce you?”“Why do you keep thinking like that?” Matthew closed the book and set it on his lap. “How many times do I have to say I want you as my wife and the mother of my children?”“Children, plural?” Elaine was taken aback. “You want more? Why? So they can fight over inheritance and the company presidency, like you and Nathan did?”Matthew pressed his lips together. Elaine was impossible today. “No one’s going to fight like Nathan and I did. I’ll write everything down and assign each of our kids a role. Of course, the oldest will likely b

“He’s okay now, sweetheart.” They broke the hug, and Jacqueline looked him in the eyes. “We need to talk.”They sat in the waiting area. Walter stayed nearby, quietly listening.“What do you want to talk about?” Zachary asked, attentive.“For a moment, I thought I wouldn’t have my dad to walk me down the aisle.” Jacqueline began. “But Dr. Almeida said he’ll make it. We were lucky to catch it in time and bring him here quickly.”“That’s great news.” Zachary smiled, gently caressing her face.“That made me think we should move the wedding up — before my dad loses the chance to be there,” Jacqueline said seriously.Walter’s eyes widened. He had expected Jacqueline to ask Zachary to postpone the wedding, waiting for Charles to recover.But no, she wanted to get married sooner.“Are you sure about this?” Zachary asked, just as shocked.Jacqueline nodded. “If I don’t get married with my dad walking me down the aisle, I’ll regret it forever.”“None of this is your fault,” Zachary said gently