Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 419

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The second branch of the family had already given up on competing for the inheritance rights.

Though deep down, there was still a tiny flicker of hope—a wish for some miraculous turn of events—they had consciously let go of that expectation.

But even without the inheritance battle, they still needed a grandson. After all, having a grandson would earn them the attention of the family patriarch or matriarch, just like the third and first branches had. Besides, the Second Uncle and his wife naturally wanted to hold a grandchild sooner rather than later. The more prominent the family, the more desperate they were for descendants.

Yet, despite all this time, Gwen’s belly remained stubbornly silent.

After dinner, when they returned to the second branch’s villa, Aster fixed Gwen with an icy stare. A thought seemed to strike her, and she frowned before asking sharply, "Gwen."

Gwen answered nervously.

Aster narrowed her eyes, her smile laced with malice. "Gwen, I know you young people are quite... liberal these days. Tell me—have you had an abortion before? Is that why you can’t conceive now?"

The words drained the color from Gwen’s face.

She stood frozen in shock, staring at her mother-in-law as if unable to believe what she had just heard. Meanwhile, her husband, Finley, looked utterly indifferent, as though he couldn’t be bothered to involve himself in the petty squabbles between his wife and mother.

Second Uncle, hearing his wife’s accusation, also turned his gaze toward Gwen.

His eyes mirrored his wife’s suspicion and sharpness.

A scandal like Beverly was enough for the Stone family—they would never allow their son to marry a woman with a questionable past. Even if she was from the Castro family, she was still just an illegitimate daughter. She held no real influence. If it turned out she couldn’t conceive because of some promiscuous behavior, they wouldn’t hesitate to cut their losses.

Gwen’s face remained pale as she met her in-laws’ scrutinizing stares. Swallowing back the humiliation and tears burning in her eyes, she whispered, "I haven’t. Mom... I haven’t."

True, in this day and age, some might act impulsively during their student years—but she wasn’t one of them.

Gwen was different.

From an early age, Gwen had known the truth about her origins—that her father was none other than the head of the illustrious Castro Group. Even though she was an illegitimate child, the revelation had filled her with excitement and joy. After all, being the secret daughter of a business tycoon was far better than being just another ordinary girl. Though she had been popular in school for her striking looks and had no shortage of suitors, she had never entertained any of them.

Her goal was to secure the perfect marriage prospect.

So how could she possibly have lost her virginity so carelessly?

Finley knew this too.

After all, on their wedding night, he should have been able to tell she was still untouched. But seeing her husband now, completely indifferent to her plight, a sharp pang of pain twisted in her chest. For a fleeting moment, she even questioned whether all the scheming she had done to gain her father’s recognition—and subsequently marry into another wealthy family—had been worth it.

Sure, she now lived in luxury, never having to worry about money when buying anything.

But ever since her marriage, every day had felt like walking on thin ice. Her mother-in-law had always looked down on her, though she never said it outright. Instead, she found subtle, relentless ways to make Gwen’s life miserable.

If she had known it would be like this, she might never have broken up with her ordinary ex-boyfriend to marry Finley, this spoiled rich heir—

She was truly starting to regret it.