Chapter: 246

She trusted Jonathan.

“Are you questioning me? Do you think I would try to harm you?"

Marie asked in disbelief. She had not expected Bethany to change so much just after one night away from the hospital.

“IT don't think you'd try to harm me with your advice, but I also don't want to leave my life that way because of your past trauma. This is my life, and I don't want any regrets along the way,”

Bethany answered.

The worst outcome that could possibly exist would be discovering that she had misjudged Jonathan, and even then, she could still live her life without him.

She didn't want to live her life under the shadow of her past relationship like her mother did.

"You say that because you have no children. If you had a daughter and your husband cheated, you wouldn't want your daughter to make the same stupid mistake you made, would you?"

"I wouldn't try to make her do anything because, in the end, it's her life," Bethany said firmly. "I also wouldn't pause my life because of any man. If Jonathan decides that he no longer loves me, I will forget about him and move on with my life.”

She would not be like her mother and cling to the title of wife. She wouldn't shut herself off from affection and chose to live a lonely life.

If she was betrayed, she would rather throw herself into her work, travel, and even start a new relationship than dwell on one man and let despair swallow her up whole.

Her mother was dumbstruck at her apparent refusal to do as she demanded.

"It's been years, Mom. You should let this go," Bethany said, her determination evident in her voice. She knew why her mother was determined not to file for a divorce.

Initially, Bethany had not opposed her mother's stance because she believed it to be a normal way to fight for one's dignity. However, as she grew older, she realized that her mother had only succeeded in creating a cage for herself.

Because of her past hurt, Marie had refused to socialize or let any man near her. She had even contemplated ending her life.

That was quite a foolish thing to contemplate. It was even worse than trusting her husband in the first place.

Bethany believed the best revenge for betrayal was to live a better life than the unfaithful man.

"How can I let it go when the adulterers are alive and still continue to provoke me?" Marie asked. “I will never compromise my stance, not even for Jonathan Bates!"

“How about I come see you with him, Mom? Maybe you would change your mind then," Bethany pleaded.

"I don't want to see him. There's nothing truthful that comes out of the mouth of a man. I'd never believe anything he says. His promises are lies. If he truly can't live without you, then he should transfer the entire Bates Group to you. Maybe then I'll believe him."

"You are being unreasonable!" Bethany protested.

She didn't know when her mother began to equate relationships with money.

Bates Group wasn't just Jonathan's asset; it was built from the ground up by generations, a symbol of the Bates family's Legacy.

“I'm simply making a point. No man truly sacrifices everything. They offer sweet words. But if you asked Jonathan for all his wealth, he'd refuse. He'd leave you eventually."