Chapter: 226

Bethany hailed a taxi and headed straight to her mother's ward. As she entered, she was greeted by Marie's grave expression.

Marie remained silent, the tension in the air almost tangible.

Bethany had rehearsed several explanations during the ride, searching for the best way to continue concealing the truth from her mother.

However, faced with Marie's solemn gaze, she found herself unable to utter a single falsehood. "Mom, I'm sorry.."

Marie looked at her, her eyes filled with disappointment. "Do you know why I worry so much about you being deceived by men? Do you understand why I would rather die than see you compromise yourself for money?"

“I understand," Bethany whispered.

"Throughout my life, I've made countless mistakes. Regret won't change the past. My only hope is that my daughter avoids my errors. Yet you've let me down deeply."

Marie spoke with a steadiness that was uncharacteristic of her, devoid of her usual emotional intensity.

Bethany wished her mother would raise her voice or even slap her, anything but this disheartening calm.

This silence was suffocating, sending waves of panic through her.

"Mom, please forgive me this time. I promise to be transparent with you from now on and never lie again. I was so terrified of losing you that I made a desperate decision."

Marie looked intently at her daughter and asked, "What is your relationship with Jayson?"

“He's just a friend."

“He seems to truly care about you. I can see that."

Marie had not been overly harsh in her assessment of Jayson. She had planned several tests to evaluate her daughter's partner but ended up applying only a few because she sensed Jayson's sincerity.

But she never imagined that her daughter had involved Jayson in a deception.

Had Francine not visited today, she would still be unaware of the truth, kept in the dark by her own daughter.

“Jayson's Aimee's cousin, and he's been a great support to me,"

Bethany explained to her mother.

"You need to cut ties with the Bates family," Marie asserted. Her blood boiled with anger at the thought of the woman who had just visited.

That woman's arrogance was over the roof, and she seemed like she wanted to crush Marie underfoot.

Marie would never entertain the idea of her daughter marrying into such a family.

"Mom, I'll handle this. Don't worry about it. The Bates family won't bother you again," Bethany reassured her.

"Is that what you think I'm worried about?" Marie asked, her tone a mix of frustration and concern. "I'm worried about you."