Mrs. Geoffrey slowly stood up, took a deep breath, and sadly smiled, "Alright, son, I know you’ve grown up now, and perhaps you’ve forgotten how I raised you all by myself through hardship. If you want to be with Rebecca Quentin, I can’t stop you. But remember, I will never accept Vivian Lindsey’s daughter as my daughter-in-law, unless you disown me as your mother!" With that, Mrs. Geoffrey moved towards the apartment door.
Howard Geoffrey knew that anything he said to his mother right now would fall on deaf ears. So he didn’t try to stop her from leaving; he simply said, "I’ll have Jason Wood pick you up."
Mrs. Geoffrey shook her head, "No need, Alice will take me home." Saying this, she opened the door and left in anger.
Howard Geoffrey didn’t chase after her; he simply took out his phone and made a call.
The person who answered was Jason Wood.
Howard Geoffrey asked coldly, "The old lady came to New York, why didn’t anyone tell me?"
Upon hearing Howard Geoffrey’s displeased voice, Jason Wood hesitated, "Boss, I was just about to tell you. I just went to the office and found out that Miss Robinson brought the old lady to ’Skytop,’ and when she didn’t see you there, Miss Robinson took the old lady to your apartment. I’ve been calling your phone for the past half hour, but you didn’t answer, so I thought you were still asleep, that’s why I... "
Howard Geoffrey recalled the numerous missed calls from Jason Wood displayed on his phone screen when he turned it on.
Half an hour ago, he was "busy," so how could he have answered?
"Forget it, the old lady is with Alice now, take her home."
He directly pressed the hang-up button, adjusted his emotions, and walked towards his room.
Howard Geoffrey turned the door handle and saw a figure sitting on the bed with knees hugged. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ N0veI.Fiɾe.net
He closed the door and walked towards Becca.
Becca’s gaze was fixed on the transparent floor-to-ceiling windows.
The weather seemed to mirror her mood; today’s weather was gloomy, making the entire room appear dark and heavy.
Howard Geoffrey sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to hold Becca in his arms.
She didn’t resist at all, allowing him to hold her.
As Howard Geoffrey lowered his head to kiss her face, he noticed it was covered in dried tears, and new tears were still silently rolling down her cheeks.
Howard Geoffrey turned her face towards him, gazing into her tear-filled eyes, and asked in a hoarse voice, "What’s wrong?"
Becca just continued crying without saying anything.
Howard gently wiped away her tears with his thumb, his voice tender and loving, "Did you hear what my mom said?"
Becca still didn’t respond, not even glancing at Howard Geoffrey.
"You might not understand my mom. She acts this way when she’s angry, but she’s reasonable. I’ll explain everything to her once she calms down."
Finally, Becca looked at him, albeit blankly. After a moment filled with bitterness, she managed to say, "Why won’t you let me go?"
"Howard Geoffrey, I don’t know if you’re sincere with me now, and frankly, I don’t want to know. But I’ll never forget how you pushed me into one abyss after another, how carelessly you toyed with my feelings... I’ll admit, I had deep feelings for you before. But from the day you admitted that you never loved me and used me, I lost all illusions about you. In other words, I don’t love you anymore..."
Howard Geoffrey hugged Becca tightly and whispered in her ear, "Don’t say things you don’t mean. I know I hurt you deeply, but we can start over..."
Becca leaned against his shoulder, her tone lifeless as if she’d lost her soul, "Start over? Ha..."
Afraid of losing her, Howard Geoffrey held her even tighter, "It was all my fault before, not treasuring our relationship. If you give me another chance, I’ll make every effort to bring you happiness."
"Happiness..." Becca whispered painfully, "has long been far, far away..."
"Don’t say that, Becca, as long as you’re willing..." Howard Geoffrey kissed her hair, his voice hoarse from suppressing the pain in his heart.
Becca gently shook her head, as if discussing something trivial, "I’m not willing, and I never will be..."
Howard Geoffrey suddenly released her, gazing intensely at her tear-streaked face, and declared domineeringly, "I won’t allow it!"
Becca slowly raised her eyes to meet his sharp, black gaze, and finally confessed with a painful truth, "Once I was willing to risk everything to be with you, but in the end, I lost everything... Howard Geoffrey, let’s stop this. You’re not suited for me, and I’m not suited for you. You met me through hate, and I was forced to marry you by circumstances, but those were our mistakes from the start. We’ve always been adversaries; we can never have a happy ending... Your mother is right; there are plenty of other women you can be with, no need to entangle yourself with me... I don’t care about your mother’s words because I can understand how deeply she’s been tormented by hatred for years. I want to apologize on my mother’s behalf, but I know she wouldn’t accept it... Howard Geoffrey, do you know, without you, my life is very peaceful and calm every day. I don’t want a life of ups and downs, do you understand?"
"I don’t understand. We can erase the past..."
Becca slowly lowered her eyes, biting her lip, and spoke softly, "They can’t be erased, Howard Geoffrey. They’ve left deep, deep scars on my heart. Just seeing you reminds me of your past cruelty."
Howard Geoffrey’s voice was hoarse, "Becca..."
Becca kept shaking her head, "Don’t say anything, Howard Geoffrey... Give Andrew back to me, let me live a peaceful life. I’ll be grateful and wish you well all my life."
"I absolutely won’t allow you and Rebecca Quentin to be together. If you bring her back, then don’t recognize me as your mother!"
"What kind of woman can’t you find? Why did you choose Rebecca Quentin?"
Mrs. Geoffrey’s words still echoed in Becca’s mind.
Even though she said she didn’t care, anyone would find it hard to bear such dislike. Especially when the person used to be someone she respected, liked, and viewed as her future mother-in-law.