The CEO's Amazing Ex-Wife Is Back (Thalassa and Kris) novel Chapter 214

Chapter 214
Karen’s heart thumped inside her chest, each beat growing louder as she stared at her mother. “Mum, what do you mean you have the bag? You had no right to take it from where it was locked!”

Rita descended the stairs slowly, her eyes never leaving Karen. Her calmness only made Karen’s panic worse.

“Why are you so upset?” Rita asked, her voice soft but tinged with disappointment. “Didn’t you tell me last time you had nothing to do with hiding the evidence against Linda?”

Karen swallowed hard as her mother stopped right in front of her. Her face was lined with bitterness, her eyes cold as she continued.

“When you came here and I asked if you were involved, you tried to guilt me into dropping the subject. But it left me even more suspicious.” Rita’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “So today, when Bridget mentioned the bag you brought in that day, I knew instantly what it was.”

Karen’s head whipped around, eyes narrowing as she hissed at the maid. “You fucking gossip!”

“Don’t you dare talk to Bridget like that!” Rita warned, her voice stern. “It’s not her fault you’re trying to protect a criminal.”

Karen turned back to her mother, her frustration boiling over. “Give me the bag, mother! Please.” she demanded, her voice trembling with anger. “Where is it?”

Rita’s hand moved so fast Karen didn’t see it coming. The slap echoed through the room, and for a moment, all Karen could hear was the ringing in her ears. She held her cheek, eyes wide in shock.

“You will not speak to me that way,” Rita said, her voice dangerously low. “Maybe I wasn’t strict enough with you. Maybe that’s why you’ve become this... insensitive person.”

She took a step closer, her eyes filled with disappointment. “How could you try to protect Linda Miller after everything she’s done? Didn’t you say she threatened you the day you were arrested so that you would retract your accusations?”

Rita shook her head sadly. “I believed you, Karen. When you told me Linda manipulated you into doing those terrible things to Thalassa years ago, I believed you.”

Her voice cracked. “But now, I see it wasn’t just Linda. You did those things because you’ve always been jealous of Thalassa.”

Karen’s stomach dropped. Her mother’s words stung, but she bit back her retort.

“You’ve always had more than Thalassa,” Rita continued. “You grew up in better circumstances, but that wasn’t enough, was it? You’ve always been envious of her.”

Karen’s fists clenched at her sides. “You’ve always preferred Thalassa over,” she accused bitterly. “Even though I’m your daughter, not her.”

Rita’s eyes softened, her anger giving way to sadness. “That’s not true,” she said quietly. “I love Thalassa like a daughter, yes, but it can never surpass my love for you. You’re my child.”

Karen’s throat tightened. “Then why do you always support her? Why do you always take her side?”