Chapter: 318
On the other hand, she had often used being busy with work as an excuse not to visit her mother daily.
The heavens punished her for it, as Marie had died without Bethany by her side.
Did Marie resent her? Bethany guessed she did; after all, she had eventually followed Marie's path.
“Mommy! The injection hurts so much. Can I have a hug?"
Suddenly, a child's soft voice reached Bethany's ears.
Turning, she spotted a little girl, her lower lip jutting out in a pout, her eyes wide and blinking with innocence, pointing to the spot where a needle had pricked her skin.
The mother leaned down, scooped the girl into her arms, and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Well done, sweetheart. Once the fever's gone, we'll head home. We'll go to the amusement park, alright?"
“Yay!" The little girl's pain melted away in an instant, her tear filled eyes transforming into ones brimming with joy.
Bethany, observing this tender scene, felt her own eyes welling up with emotion.
She had yearned for a mother like that. Someone with whom she could be carefree, playful, and vulnerable.
In Bethany's memory, Marie seldom smiled, and there were moments when Bethany was unwilling to face her.
After returning from her part-time job, Bethany would immerse herself in homework, avoiding conversation and eye contact with her mother.
Whenever her mother spoke, she always warned Bethany against dating.
During her teenage years, she had to wake up early to walk to school, work after classes, and face demanding homework and study assignments.
How could she find time for romance?
Perhaps in her entire class, the only person she really noticed was Jonathan, simply because he sat next to her.
After finishing college and entering the workforce, she started avoiding any interactions with men. It wasn't something she decided consciously; it was a habit.
Bethany had always attributed her feelings of loneliness to her mother's early influence, which left her unsociable.
But now, all she craved was for Marie to return to life even if she had to stay single for the rest of her Life.
Bethany tenderly placed her hand on her belly. “Baby, will you blame me if I bring you into this world?"
"Bethany! You're indeed here."
Maddie's voice suddenly pierced the air, reaching Bethany's ears.
In a reflex, Bethany withdrew her hand and glanced up. "What's going on?"
“Have you forgotten your promise? You swore you'd divorce Jonathan And now, he's planning your wedding and you've agreed to it."