I looked at the bankbook Mom handed me and felt a myriad of emotions.
Mom never had much of a say in the Joplin family. She even needed Henry's approval when she wanted to buy something. How did she manage to save up this much money?
I felt my hands trembling. I needed to dig my fingernails into my palms just to stay calm.
She thought it wasn't enough and asked carefully, "Is it too little? I know starting up a company isn't easy. I don't understand much, but I don't want you to be unhappy."
I knew she wanted to persuade me to just start a small business instead.
She held my hand and said helplessly, "Cole, I'm sorry that this is all I'm capable of. I'll send you more right away once the divorce is finalized, okay?"
While she was worrying for me, I was keeping her in the dark about my company matters. I felt a bit guilty and was about to say something when I saw her wiping away her tears. "It's all because I'm useless."
"Mom, this money is enough for me to make a comeback," I said.
Rather than having her worry unnecessarily, it was better for me to just accept her money. It might bring her some peace of mind.
I wiped away her tears and felt my eyes stinging as well.
"Mom, you have to trust me," I said.
Hearing that, she finally calmed down. "I've always trusted you."
After I managed to calm Mom down, Lorraine seemed to have something to say to me.
"What is it?" I asked.
I handed her the bankbook. "You keep it for Mom."
We had been married for some time, but I had never given her much money.
I had only given her a credit card that she never used. When I did that, Lorraine looked the same as right now. She just looked incredibly shocked, as if I had given her some valuable treasure.
"Mom gave you this. I can't accept it," she refused.
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