Chapter 242 A Mother’s Cruel Favoritism
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Before Maia could get a word out, Ruth stormed forward and grabbed a fistful of her shirt. “Come on. You’re going home with me!”
Maia yanked herself free and took two steps back, shaking her head firmly. “No. I’m fine right here. I’m not going back.”
Just the thought of that house–the awful life she used to live–made her heart pound in terror. Her eyes filled with dread, memories flashing back of those days when she’d lived worse than an animal.
That place wasn’t a home. It was a nightmare.
“Oh, so you’re fine now and stopped caring about your mother? Or your grandmother, who’s already getting old?” Ruth’s arms folded across her chest, her face twisted with rage. “If life’s so good for you now, that must mean you’ve got money. Fine. If you’re not coming home, transfer me 10,000 dollars. Right now!”
Maia frowned. “That’s a huge amount–where would I even get that kind of money?”
Caroline, standing nearby, could tell Maia still felt obligated to give her mother something.
But this wasn’t something she could weigh in on–it was Maia’s family business. So instead, she chose to speak up with subtle firmness. “It’s getting late, and we need rest. Ladies, please see yourselves out.”
But Ruth wasn’t leaving without getting what she came for. She turned back to Maia and sneered, “Either you give me the money now, or you come home with me this instant.”
“You just open your mouth and demand ten grand like it’s nothing. Do you think money grows on trees?” Maia snapped back.
Ruth opened her mouth to argue again, but Caroline cut in sharply before she could get another word out. “That’s enough. My boyfriend will be back any minute, and he’s not fond of noise or drama. If he walks in and sees this, I doubt it’ll end with me just asking you to leave.”
Helen’s expression shifted. She quickly tugged on Ruth’s sleeve. “Let’s go.”
She wanted to see Blake, sure–but definitely not under these circumstances. And the last thing she needed was Ruth blurting something stupid in front of him and ruining everything.
Helen had no intention of letting Ruth drag her down.
Ruth looked reluctant but finally nodded.
“Maia, you’ve got three days. I want that money, or you’ll regret it.” With that parting threat, she turned and softened her tone in a blink, gently linking arms with Helen. “Helen, sweetheart, are you hungry? Want me to take you out for a bite?”
The drastic shift in attitude made Caroline’s jaw tighten. She couldn’t help but ask, “Maia, why does your mom treat you like dirt but dotes on Helen like she’s her own daughter?”
From the moment Ruth stepped inside, her tone with Helen had been completely different–gentle, doting, and warm. It didn’t seem fake, either. It felt real, like the genuine care of a mother toward her child.
Could Ruth really believe Helen was pregnant with Jamie’s baby?
Even if that were true, Ruth would only be the aunt, not the mother.
13:40 Wed, 18 Jun GQ
Chapter 242 A Mother’s Cruel Favoritism
And knowing Ruth’s character, that explanation didn’t quite add up.
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Even if she were, Ruth would only be her aunt. It still didn’t explain this kind of favoritism–not from someone like Ruth.
Maia’s eyes followed their fading silhouettes outside the door. Her lips curled into a bitter smile. “Maybe she thinks I’m too stupid. She wants a daughter like Helen–smart, charming, and knows how to get cozy with people.”
Back at home, whenever her mother hit her, she’d scream the same things. “You’re a useless pig! Good–for- nothing trash!”
No matter what Maia did to try and earn her mother’s approval, it never worked. Ruth just didn’t like her.
Caroline walked over and gently patted her shoulder. “If you ask me, Ruth must be blind. You’re smart. you’re kind–someone like Helen can’t even hold a candle to you.”
She meant every word. After knowing Maia for so long, Caroline had come to see her as one of the most sincere and selfless people she’d ever met.
If Maià treated strangers with such warmth, she could only imagine how good she’d be to her own family- if they ever gave her the chance.
She just couldn’t understand why Ruth would treat her own daughter this way.
Maia turned to Caroline, her eyes shining with gratitude. “Caroline, thank you. Thank you for standing up for me… and for being so kind.”
If it weren’t for Caroline, who had stepped in when Ruth was beating her so badly she could hardly move, she might never have had the courage to break free. She would probably still be trapped under Ruth’s thumb.
Caroline offered a warm smile. “No need to thank me. It’s what I should’ve done.”
In her past life, Maia had helped Caroline in a moment of darkness. Helping her now was just returning that
debt.
In truth, when she thought about it, Maia had it even worse than she did. Caroline’s brothers might have resented her, but at least her mother had loved her.
Maia, on the other hand, had never known a mother’s love–only her fists.
She really was pitiful.
Even Helen, who had never cared much before, was starting to question it.
While waiting for their late–night food to arrive, she asked hesitantly, “Ruth, I’ve noticed you seem to really dislike your daughter. Why?”
Ruth’s expression froze for a second before she forced a smile. “I wouldn’t say I dislike her. I’m just a bit stricter with her than most. That’s all.”
“Is that so?” Helen said softly, though doubt flickered in her eyes. After all, she’d heard Ruth complain about Maia more times than she could count. And she’d seen with her own eyes–Ruth didn’t just yell. She hit her.
Hard.
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Ved, 18 Jun GOO
