Chapter 814
It was as though Kate's personality had changed overnight. She brought Tiffany shopping every day, from one shop to another. In fact, she even told Tiffany to try out new clothes. Tiffany had been trying to finish her draft during the night, yet she had to deal with the torture Kate was imposing on her the next day with the shopping. Because of that, she soon became sleep deprived. Derrick's heart ached when he saw that, so he tried to convince his mother to stop doing that. To his surprise, Kate retorted, "When I treated her meanly, all of you thought I was being far too strict. Now that I'm trying to repair our relationship, you all think I'm intentionally making things difficult for her. What exactly do you want me to do, Derrick?”
For a moment, he was at a loss for words. Then he said, "Tiff has been staying up all night trying to rush her draft to completion for the past few days, Mom. She needs more sleep."
Kate sneered, "You think I'm intentionally making things difficult for her, aren't you, Derrick?”
That prompted him to sigh. "Mom...'
“Fine, since you think I have an ulterior motive for doing this, then maybe I should just intentionally make her life more difficult." "That's not what I mean, Mom. Fine, just do whatever you want."
Only then did she smile satisfactorily.
The next day, Kate brought Tiffany to shopping as usual.
Their shopping spree lasted for three days. If Crystal hadn't invited Kate for a meetup, Tiffany probably wouldn't have been able to escape the torture.
Amelia smiled and gave Tiffany, who was slumped on the table like a fish out of water, a cup of coffee. "What's wrong? Why do you look so tired?”
Without saying a word, Tiffany waved her hand lethargically as she sat next to her friend.
She played dead for a few minutes before raising her head.
Seeing the black bags under her friend's eyes, Amelia furrowed her eyebrows and asked, "You didn't sleep well?"
Tiffany drank the coffee and smiled bitterly. "Don't bring it up. I don't know what's gotten into my mother-in-law these days. It's as though her personality suddenly changed. She brought me shopping every day. Now, whenever I see a fashion boutique, I'd feel ill. She really does hate me to the bone. Why would she come up with new ways to torture me otherwise? But she's my elder, so I can't scold her or do anything to her."
Amelia's eyebrows furrowed even tighter.
In a single motion, Tiffany emptied the cup of coffee.
"Babe, is there any food for me to eat?” The bitter smile was still present on her face.
"Molly made some pastry. I'll bring them out from the kitchen." Amelia stood up and did precisely that.
When the food arrived, Tiffany dug in as though she was a refugee who hadn't eaten anything for years.
Amelia gently patted her back. "Slow down, Tiff.'
The moment she said that, Tiffany began to cough violently.
In response, Amelia poured her a cup of water and spoke resignedly. "Look at what you've done to yourself. If people don't know any better, they'll think you're going through a rough patch in your life when all you did was get married."
Tiffany drank the water and forcefully suppressed her urge to cough. "Accompany me for a walk outside, Babe. I'm feeling a little bored. My mother- in-law's attitude changes every day. In one second, she'll berate me. In another, she'll shower me with love. I suspect that she has a split personality. If this goes on, I think I'm going to end up losing my mind."
Amelia nodded.
After both of them went downstairs, Amelia drove her friend around the city.
When the car passed by an alley, the women's sharp eyes caught the sight of Kate, Crystal, and Derrick together.
Crystal was holding Kate's arm as she walked ahead. Meanwhile, Derrick was walking behind. The three of them appeared like a family.
Tiffany's grip on her seatbelt tightened as she bit her lip. Disbelief flashed in her eyes.
She recalled Derrick telling her there was an online novel that needed to be published today, so he had to attend a meeting at the company. And yet, there he was, accompanying Kate and Crystal instead of being in the meeting.
There must be some misunderstanding here. Her mind felt as though it was a whirling mess. There's no way he would lie to me. We are so very much in love!
With trembling hands, she pulled her phone out and called him.
When the call connected, Tiffany asked with a shaky voice, "Are you still in the company, Derrick?"
Hearing Derrick saying "Mhm" faintly made her heart drop all the way to her stomach.
Is there a reason why you're calling me, Tiff?” he asked tenderly.
Her lips twitched as her line of sight was fixed on the man still following Kate and Crystal. She never expected him to lie to her.
Her mind was so chaotic that she couldn't figure out what to do. Still, she said, "It's nothing. I was just wondering when you'll be getting off work today. How about I deliver dinner to you later? It's been a while since we ate together at the company. I quite miss it."
Derrick chuckled as he said gently, “No need. I'll just ask my secretary to order takeout for me. You should eat on time. Mom's not at home tonight, so you should use the time to rest. I'll buy you your favorite fruit crepe later tonight." "All right. In that case, I won't disturb you any longer. Bye.” When Tiffany finished speaking, she ended the call with a heavy heart, her eyes still focused on her man in the distance.
Amelia grabbed her hand and unbuckled the seatbelt. "Let's go down, Tiff.”
Fear suddenly crept into Tiffany's mind.
She grabbed her friend's hand and shook her head.
"Don't, Babe. Not like this.”
There was a tinge of disappointment in Amelia's eyes as she stared at her friend. Ever since she married into the Hisson family she hasn't been as bright and determined as she used to be. It's as if she becomes a timid mouse whenever she deals with matters concerning Derrick. I'm afraid she'll get her feelings hurt, but I also kind of dislike how she refuses to fight back.
Anger continued to swirl in her mind as she watched Derrick and the other two leave further and further away.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Too Much to Bear, My Love