Chapter 16 Joyce's Sacrifice

"Joyce, you must recover quickly and return to the Larson Residence," Dorothy advised. "Us Michaelses are counting on you for the glory of our family."

With that said, she started her incessant nagging and mocking of Jean. It was as if Joyce was her biological daughter, and Jean was a child she picked up from the streets.

Jean felt hurt inside, but she forced her tears at bay and remained calm. She turned to look at Joyce. "It's not that I don't want to do something for our family. You know how Tyler is, right, Joyce? I'm afraid that he might find out about our identities."

Joyce nodded in understanding and said, "I know things can be difficult for you."

She glared at Dorothy and added, "If it weren't for your ridiculous decision, Jean wouldn't have needed to live such a guarded life in the Larson household. Don't mention it anymore in the future."

This time, Dorothy scowled. She noticed that Joyce was holding Jean's hand. She refused to comment further and turned to leave the ward. "You two can carry on with your talk."

After watching Dorothy leave, Jean felt her tensed body relax. Worrying that Joyce wasn't aware of all that had happened lately, Jean told her everything.

Joyce listened attentively. When Jean reached the part where her blood was drawn, Joyce was shocked. "Are you saying that person is back from abroad? Is it Lilian?"

Lilian. This was the first time Jean heard this name. "Do you know her?" The woman who stood beside Tyler obviously knew Joyce.

Joyce shook her head. She had always thought Lilian had gone abroad because she was at the end of her life. She never imagined that Lilian would survive. That she would return to Tyler's side after three whole years.

"I've never met her, but I know she exists." Didn't the Page or Larson families try to stop this from happening?

Pursing her lips, Jean watched Joyce carefully for a moment. Then, she asked, "Joyce, do you think Tyler loves you?"

Something flashed in Joyce's eyes. It was so brief that it could've gone unnoticed. "Of course I do. Why would he propose and marry me if he doesn't?"

Jean froze for a moment as she stared at Joyce's sweet, smiling face. There was something in her eyes that made it look as though she was reminiscing a pleasant memory.

It gave Jean mixed feelings, but she suppressed the uneasiness she felt. "Has it ever crossed your mind that Tyler was manipulating you?" she asked.

Joyce shook her head with no hesitation. "There's no such thing as manipulation between us. With Tyler's status, there's nothing he can't get his hands on."

Jean bit her lip and wondered how Joyce got along with Tyler in the first place. Perhaps he once loved her.

Maybe he turned into the person he was right now because she wasn't Joyce. She couldn't make him love her.

After taking a deep breath, Jean said, "I think I messed up your relationship with him."

Joyce remained calm despite Jean's words. "Never mind that. You are not me, so you don't know how to get along with him." She would truly start fretting if Jean and Tyler's relationship was good.

Once again, Jean pursed her lips in thought. It was just like what Joyce said. She and Joyce were different. It was only natural for Tyler not to like her.

She sighed and looked at Joyce. "Did you and Tyler make some sort of promise?" she asked.

Tyler was determined to draw her blood. So, she assumed that he and Joyce had some sort of agreement before their marriage.

The question caused a slight change in Joyce's expression. However, she quickly composed herself. "I promised him that I'd do my best to help him if he faced any kind of trouble," she explained.

Jean frowned. She doubted that Joyce and Tyler's relationship was that simple. Hearing Joyce admit this made her more certain that Tyler was just using her for his benefit.

She tried to keep it in, but she couldn't help herself. She asked, "Has it never crossed your mind that Tyler would eventually divorce you to marry Lilian? Even after everything you've done for him?"