“I…”
Hilary paused for a while before she continued, “It’s not that I disagree but it would be very insincere to just inform me of your wedding in such a way. Of course I would be upset and reluctant to agree to it.”
Clarissa heaved a sigh and frowned.
“What you said isn’t really what I meant. Why are you so anxious? It’s not even decided yet. Besides, even when the time comes, the marriage proposal will be discussed with Grandma and not you.”
“Clarrisa, are you disregarding me? I’m your mom. I have the final say on your marriage. What an ungrateful sod. Is it because you have a man to back you up now so I’m nothing to you anymore? Is that what you’re thinking?”
Hilary’s voice turned increasingly piercing from the other end of the phone. She seemed to be exasperated.
Meanwhile, Clarissa held the phone farther from her ear and suppressed her anger. Nevertheless, Hilary was still running on over the phone.
“Don’t you ever think that you’re terrific now because you’ve found Matthew. Yes, he’s well-off and he comes from an affluent family. However, do you think a man like him wouldn’t have other women? What can you get by marrying Matthew? You stood out among other women now because of novelty but you’ll only have a regrettable ending when he grew weary of you. Besides, you haven’t even got married yet and you’re already treating me in such a terrible way. Would you even recognize me as your mom after getting married?”
Listening to Hilary’s words, Clarissa got more and more bewildered.
Initially, Clarissa was of the opinion that Hilary would be the happiest person to know of the news of her marriage with Matthew.
Hilary had always wanted her daughter to marry a man from a prominent family to make her proud and strengthen her footing in the Garretts so that it would also benefit Jonathan in the future.
But Hilary is actually telling me about the banes of marrying a man with a prominent background now?
Clarissa almost laughed aloud. When does Hilary become so level-headed?
As soon as Hilary finished talking, Clarissa asked her in a very frank manner in return, “Mom, other things aside, I’m very surprised this time. You actually said that it’s not good to marry a man with a well-off background?”
Hilary seemed to be troubled by the inconsistency in her own attitude as well. She replied only after pausing for a moment, “I’m not saying that it’s not good but I still want you to be happy. Wasn’t it you who said that you didn’t want to marry someone from a prominent family but only wanted to lead a peaceful life with a dependable man? I’ve thought it through now and I don’t want to force you into doing things that you’re against. To be honest, marrying Matthew isn’t as good as it seems especially when the Tysons also oppose your marriage.
“How did you know that the Tysons opposed our marriage?”
“Well, regarding this… I heard it from a friend of mine. Old Mrs. Tyson even fell sick because of this, didn’t she? That’s also why I’m calling you. It’s for your own good. If his family doesn’t welcome you, you won’t be able to have a pleasant post-wedding life. Clary, let’s forget about marrying Matthew, alright? You’re such a beauty. You can always find someone else. Why do you have to pick an aged man whose entire family objects to your marriage? I can help to introduce some—”
“Mom!” Clarissa returned in a deep tone.
Something isn’t right for sure.
Hilary’s attitude is perceptibly strange.
Clarissa asked, “Mom, what are you trying to do? Weren’t you thrilled that I was going to marry Matthew? Why are you persuading me to be with someone else now? Is it you or is it something wrong with my hearing? Are you plotting some conspiracy?”
“You— what are you talking about, Clary? What conspiracy? Am I that kind of a person?”
Without a doubt!
Clarissa could no longer trust Hilary. That was exactly what she thought about her.
Hilary must have some ulterior motive. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have made such a request out of the blue.
“Mom, Matthew and I are truly in love with each other. It doesn’t matter if he’s from a wealthy family or not. The objection of the Tysons is not a problem either, so, what else do you want to say?”
“You…”
Hilary was at a loss for words. She mulled it over before replying, “Clary, do you still regard me as your mom?”
“That depends on your actions.”
“W-What do you mean?”
“I should be the one asking you that. Let’s be frank. What is it that you’re trying to imply? Let me tell you this. If you really want me to be happy, marrying Matthew is the right thing to do. What else do you have to say?”
Hilary fell silent while Clarissa was greatly disheartened.
Before Hilary could say anything else, Clarissa spoke her mind, “I’m going to marry him irrespective of your stance. Also, I won’t insist if you decide to stop being my mom. After all, you gave up on that many years ago.”
With that, Clarissa ended the call promptly, leaving no chance at all for Hilary to react.
However, the matter was undoubtedly peculiar to Clarissa. She became very suspicious as to why there was such a huge change in Hilary’s attitude. What is she trying to do? What is the conspiracy behind this?
Clarissa found Gina and asked her about it.
“Can you help me find out if my mom is up to anything unusual recently?”
Gina thought for a while and without any investigation, she replied directly, “Your mother meets up quite frequently with Shermaine these days.”
Clarissa’s heart sank and she couldn’t help but cuss silently.
It’s Shermaine again! How did she even get involved with Hilary?
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