Early next morning, Vincent and Laura got off the flight and returned to their mansion in a cab with their luggage.
When they arrived home, they saw Jennifer sleeping on the couch. Laura's worry turned into anger at that moment.
She threw her suitcase to the side and walked over quickly. Then, she pulled Jennifer up. As Jennifer had slept very late the night before, her head ached when she was forcibly woken up.
The first person she saw when she opened her eyes was her furious mother. “Mom, you're back.”
The next moment, Laura slapped her. That woke Jennifer up instantly.
The latter cradled her cheek which stung from the slap. Her eyes were red and watery as she asked, “Why did you hit me, Mom?”
“Look at you! You're a Larson, but you are acting in such a pathetic way. I wish you weren't my daughter. How did I raise a daughter like you? You came back all the way here just for a man. Are you trying to drive me mad?” Laura lashed out, her chest heaving.
“I'm sorry, Mom,” Jennifer said remorsefully as she lowered her head.
Laura couldn't help but soften her attitude when she saw Jennifer act that way. She collapsed on the ground, looking dispirited.
Putting her hands over her forehead, Laura said grimly, “Is Carter so important to you? So much so that you went against what we had arranged for you and came back. Did you know how angry I was last night? My lifespan must have shortened because I have such a disobedient daughter.”
Jennifer rubbed her temples and replied in a hoarse voice, “Mom, my head hurts. Let me go upstairs and wash my face. Then, we'll talk. Is that okay?”
Laura looked at her and relented.
After going upstairs, Jennifer took a hot shower. She was aching all over from sleeping on the couch. After the shower, she felt much better. Then, she changed into a clean dress and went down the stairs.
Laura and Vincent were sitting on the couch together. When Laura saw Jennifer, she pointed at the opposite couch and said, “Have a seat.”
Jennifer did as she was told.
With her arms crossed, Laura asked, “Does it have to be Carter, Jennifer?”
“Mom, I love him. I feel different when I'm with him. I've never felt this way with any other man. I don't think I can fall in love with anyone else,” Jennifer stated honestly after pondering for a while.
She had changed drastically in those two years she spent pursuing Carter. Before that, she used to be domineering and arrogant.
Laura took a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself down.
“This is ridiculous, Jennifer,” she said.
Jennifer looked up and refuted, “Mom, it was you and Dad who asked me to return back then.”
Laura was at a loss for words. Then, she became enraged.
“I asked you to come back just to get to know him. I didn't ask you to go all out or beg him pitifully. I would never ask you to humiliate yourself for him!”
Jennifer chose to purse her lips. However, it seemed like she was muttering something under her breath. “Mom, I'm not humiliating myself. I'm just fighting for my happiness. Since I was a kid, you and Dad told me that I should work for things I like instead of waiting for someone to give them to me. You two even said that I should fight for what I want no matter what. I'm just fighting for my love and happiness in my own way. I don't think I'm wrong.”
Laura laughed in frustration. “Talk to her, Vincent. I have nothing else to say to her.” She waved her hand dismissively.
Vincent patted her on the shoulder and said, “All right now. Calm down.”
Then, he turned to Jennifer and asked gently, “Does it have to be him?”
“Yes, Dad.” Jennifer was firm with her answer.
“All right then. Mom and I won't interfere in your love life. Go ahead and do what you want. If you get hurt, come home. We will always be here for you,” he said.
Jennifer felt her tears welling up in her eyes. “Thanks, Dad.”
“We're family. There's no need to thank me. Although we aren't as rich as the Scotts are, we will take good care of you since you are our only daughter. You're my dearest daughter, Jennifer. If you can't get Carter, come home. I'll find you a husband.”
Jennifer couldn't help but smile at her father's words. She thought that he was joking.
On the other hand, Laura couldn't hold back her anger anymore and spat angrily, “I asked you to come home to lecture her, not spoil her. You're really pissing me off.”
“There, there. Jennifer's a grown-up now. She can handle things by herself. Although she is having some issues in her love life now, she has been helping me at the company. Let's just trust her and give her two to three years' time. She will eventually know what's best for herself. If you try to force her into something she doesn't want now, she will grow resentful of us. There's no need for that,” Vincent consoled Laura.
“Very well. You two are making me look like the villain here.” Laura got up and went up the stairs, feeling upset.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Too Much to Bear, My Love