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Chapter 93: Do You Really Think I Have To Be Her?
“Auntie, I… I…”
Jennifer’s voice quivered as she continued, “I don’t mind if you laugh at me, but I… I truly care deeply for Mark, and I’m willing to be by his side, even without recognition or a title. But… it pains me to see Mark treat me so coldly. I’m genuinely heartbroken.”
Jennifer’s sobbing intensified, and she clung to Rebecca, her cries echoing. The sight of Jennifer’s distress tugged at Rebecca’s heartstrings.
“Sweetie, don’t be sad. Auntie knows your feelings for Mark. Mark has always had a temper, and he isn’t just cold to you.” Rebecca gently patted Jennifer’s back, attempting to console Jennifer.
In the midst of comforting her, Rebecca’s mind wandered back to something Mark had told her before.
He had mentioned that Jennifer shouldn’t aspire to Mae’s status.
Wasn’t that Mark’s way of saying he wouldn’t marry Jennifer?
“I… I understand Mark’s temperament, but the sorrow in my heart is genuine. I just want him to glance at me once, to offer me even a tiny bit of kindness,” Jennifer expressed amid her tears. “Don’t worry, dear. Don’t cry so much, it’s not good for your eyes, especially since you’re pregnant. Rest assured, you will be the daughter–in–law of the Smith family. No other woman, including Mae, will have a chance to enter the Smith family,” Rebecca gently comforted.
“Don’t burden yourself with unnecessary thoughts for now. Your priority should be ensuring a smooth pregnancy. You’re carrying a child Mark values immensely. Once the child is born, you’ll have a bond with them. Over time, love can develop between you two. Are you worried that you won’t develop affection for each other eventually? ” Rebecca assured Jennifer, helping her wipe away the teardrops on her face.
“Mark is a smart person who is a complete idiot when it comes to feelings. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have fallen for that schemer, Mae. Rest assured, as long as Auntie is here, you will be the Smith family’s daughter–in–law, so there is no need for you to worry. Focus on your pregnancy and the child. Love can grow between you and Mark.” She continued.
Jennifer’s eyes were still damp, but her crying had subsided. She reached out and embraced Rebecca, her tone slightly playful, “Auntie, you’re so kind. You remind me of my mom, who loved me dearly.”
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Jennifer’s act of sincerity aimed to prompt a promise from Rebecca.
She refused to believe that Mark could genuinely disregard his own mother’s feelings.
Rebecca’s reminder of Mark’s attachment to the unborn child fueled Jennifer’s determination. She intended to increase her contact with Mark through the child, confident that his feelings would eventually waver.
Jennifer’s words seemed to strike a chord with Rebecca, who hugged her back a little tighter. Her touch exuded affection, and she gently stroked Jennifer’s hair, her gaze tender. “From now on, treat me as your mother, and I’ll take good care of you.”
“When you marry Mark, you’ll have the right to call me ‘Mom‘.”
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Chapter 93 Do You Really Think I Have To Be Her?
Rebecca’s words caused Jennifer’s face to flush crimson. “Auntie, don’t tease me like that. I haven’t
reached that point with Mark yet.”
Seeing Jennifer smile, the sadness dissipating, Rebecca patted the back of her hand and said, “Then I will help you in reaching that point.”
Jennifer’s eyes flickered with a subtle brightness. She understood the implications of Rebecca’s words, but she controlled her excitement, feigning a playful response, “Auntie, don’t make fun of me.”
“Just wait a while longer. Eventually, you’ll be addressing me as ‘Mom‘,” Rebecca reassured with a twinkle of warmth in her eyes.
Jennifer lowered her head, her cheeks flushed with a mix of emotions.
At the same time, Inside the hospital room, Mark sat against the bed, his gaze lowered, lost in
silence.
“You’ve lost a considerable amount of blood. Lie down and rest. I’ll head back now. Robert will
handle the company matters for you,” Jason offered, speaking into the heavy silence. Seeing Mark’s
continued reticence, he opened the door and left.
However, just as he stepped out, he heard Mark’s hoarse voice break the quiet, “Did Mae come?”
Turning back, Jason had intended to jest with his friend. Yet, upon observing Mark’s haggard appearance and sensing his impatience, he opted for honesty. “Yes, she came. She was the one who brought you to the hospital. But… after she called me over, she left,” he said.
Mark’s eyes, which had briefly ignited with hope, dulled once again. Jason sighed inwardly, shaking his head at the complexity of Mark’s emotions. He couldn’t fathom what was going through his friend’s mind.
Why, Mark, do you care about Mae but fail to cherish your marriage? Why must you wait until she’s distant and resolved to divorce before feeling regret?
Amid many foolish individuals, Jason had never encountered one as foolish as Mark, who willingly
marched himself into the flames.
“If you want her to come back, call her yourself,” Jason suggested, handing Mark his cell phone.
Mark gazed at the offered phone without taking it, a cynical smile curving his lips. “Are you reminding me that she’s blocked me?”
Jason stared at Mark in shock. He wasn’t indeed the sharpest tool in the shed,
Dealing with a grumpy Mark was an uphill battle.
“Do you want to call her or not?” Jason’s voice turned icy.
“No need,” Mark declined coldly. “Do you really think I’m desperate for Mae?”
Jason couldn’t help but sigh. This guy was beyond saving.
“Fine,” Jason conceded with a shrug. “If you can’t let go of your ego, then let go of her. If you can’t let go of her, then let go of your ego. As you seem to have chosen the former, I have nothing more to say.”
As he exited the hospital room, Jason added, “Rest up. No one will sympathize with your injuries in
this state.”
With those final words, he closed the door behind him and departed.
Mark remained seated on the hospital bed, his expression morose. The room’s deafening silence seemed to magnify his thoughts.
In this moment of stillness, Mark confronted the undeniable truth: Mae truly wanted nothing to do with him. Even as he lay injured in the hospital, she remained indifferent, unwilling to stay even for a brief moment longer.
All the self–assured delusions he had clung to suddenly appeared ridiculous.
“Mae, why are you awake at this hour?”
In the middle of the night, as Auntie Melissa stepped out to grab a glass of water, she was taken aback to find Mae sitting on the sofa lost in thought.
Mae snapped back to reality, quelling the inexplicable turmoil in her heart, and offered a light smile, “I think I might have had too much coffee during the day, that’s why it’s difficult for me to sleep right
now.”
“Is it really just because of that?”
Auntie Melissa’s gaze drifted to Mae’s unchanged clothes, noticing a few dried bloodstains on them.
Mae followed her gaze and noticed the bloodstains, her brows furrowing involuntarily.
“You worried about Sandra’s father, aren’t you?” Auntie Melissa inquired as she opened the door, her voice gentle. She observed Mae’s quivering eyelids and instinctively shook her head, sensing Mae’s denial.
Mae quickly replied, “No.”
Uncertain whether Auntie Melissa believed her or not, Mae’s denial seemed to satisfy her. Auntie Melissa patted her shoulder reassuringly and advised, “You should get some rest. Staying up all night isn’t good for your health.”
Nodding in agreement, Mae affirmed, “You’re right. I’ll go to sleep now.”
Once Auntie Melissa returned to her room, Mae also headed back to hers.
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