Tears welled up in Deannaâs eyes.
Her father seemed like a stranger now.
She had believed that marriage meant two people loving each other and living together for a lifetime, but it seemed it was all about self-interest.
Brad suddenly came back to his senses.
He looked at Deanna with a hint of remorse in his eyes.
He reached out to grab Deannaâs arm.
âIâm sorry, Deanna.
I said some thoughtless things.
â
Deanna pulled away, tears streaming down her cheeks.
âDad, you have disappointed me.
Let me make it clear.
I only have one mother.
This house belongs to me.
I wonât allow that woman to step into this house as long as Iâm alive.
If you dare marry her, Iâll cut all ties with you!â
She stormed off to her room crying.
Brad furrowed his brow, watching his daughterâs retreating figure in silence.
Tears welled up in Noemiâs eyes.
She spoke with bitterness in her voice.
âBrad, even if you donât love me, Deanna is your own flesh and blood.
I hope you wonât let your desires cloud your judgment.
Donât be like my ex-husband.
Donât let a scheming woman harm our daughter! If I ever find out that woman has ill intentions towards Deanna, Iâll stop at nothing, even if it costs me my life.
Letâs go, Brian!â
Brian gave Brad a subtle nod before carefully getting into the car with Noemi.
Selina, who had gone unnoticed until now, quickly followed suit.
Inside the car, Noemi looked out of the window in silence.
Seated beside her, Selina sensed it was the right moment to offer some comfort.
âNoemi, donât keep it all bottled up.
If you feel like crying, go ahead.
â
Noemi closed her eyes, her voice quivering as she spoke.
âI have failed as a mother.
I felt guilty towards Brian in the past, and now I feel guilty towards Deanna.
â
She had thought about holding on, not divorcing Brad, and continuing the life they had.
But deep down, she knew there was a barrier in her heart she couldnât overcome.
The thought of not divorcing was driving her to the brink of madness.
âNoemi, donât worry.
Deanna is an adult now.
She will be alright soon.
And Brian, he is okay now, right?â Selina tried to reassure Noemi.