Chapter 864 It Was Impossible
Linda leaned in and said, "Dad, you can't blame Mom for misunderstanding you. Even I always felt you were biased towards Sophia!"
Brent looked up at Linda, "That's not fair. Don't I care about you?"
Linda put down her half-eaten burger and crossed her arms, "You do care about me, but only when Sophia isn't around. As soon as she shows up and says a few words, you always take her side!"
Brent knew he sometimes favored Sophia because he felt guilty towards her mother, not because he loved one daughter more than the other.
"Linda, how can you say such things about your sister? Sophia can be a bit headstrong, but she's not trying to manipulate anyone. You shouldn't talk about her like that."
Hearing Brent's stern correction, Linda scoffed, "See? There you go again! You always defend her, no matter what. You don't realize that you've spoiled her so much that she thinks she can do no wrong."
Nora patted Linda, "Alright, Linda, that's enough."
Linda pouted but listened to Nora and sat down.
Brent looked at Nora and said, "Can you come back with me now? I love Linda and Sophia equally."
Nora looked at him, her eyes no longer filled with resentment but with a mix of complexity and a bit of guilt, though not much.
"Cole, I'm touched that you care so much about Linda. I was wrong to blame you before."
Brent sighed in relief, "Then pack up and come back with me!"
He reached out to take Nora's hand.
However, Nora still refused his touch and shook her head, "Cole, I've thought a lot these past few days. Even though the misunderstanding is cleared up, if Linda and I go back with you now, nothing will change. It will just be the same cycle all over again.
Sophia still won't accept Linda and me, and you'll still be caught in the middle, torn between us. You'll be exhausted, and so will I.
So, let's just end it here. I want Linda to have a simple and carefree childhood. As for the investments you mentioned for Linda, knowing you have that intention is enough for us. Whether you give them all to Sophia or donate them, it's up to you. Linda and I won't go back with you."
Brent didn't understand why, even after everything was explained, Nora still didn't want to go back with him.
"Nora, if there's something you're still unhappy about, just tell me directly! Don't be like this."
Nora shook her head, "I'm not unhappy with you anymore."
She really wasn't. The only barrier between them was Sophia, and that barrier wasn't going to disappear.
Over the years, they had countless arguments because of Sophia's manipulations.
She was tired.
Being a stepmother wasn't easy; even when she was kind to Sophia, she might not receive her affection or respect.
She'd rather take care of Linda on her own than deal with Sophia's attitude.
Brent frowned, "Nora, what do you want me to do?"
Nora said, "You don't need to do anything for me. I think it's better for both of us if we separate."
Brent didn't want to separate. He loved Nora deeply; otherwise, he wouldn't have humbled himself to find her.
"Nora, I know you don't like Sophia, but she's my biological daughter. I can't just abandon her!"
Nora said calmly, "It's not that I don't like Sophia. It's that she doesn't like me and refuses to accept me. I don't want to force her, and I don't want to force myself either. Cole, I hope you can understand my decision."
Brent was anxious, "I can't understand! I can't divorce you. We've spent most of our lives together; we can't just end it now!"
Nora sighed, "Cole."
Brent raised his hand to stop her, "Enough! You don't need to say anything more. If you're willing to come back with me, then let's go! If you're not, then I'll have someone bring my luggage here, and I'll stay with you!"
Nora frowned, "What are you doing?"
Linda chimed in, "Dad, you don't mind this place being small?"
Brent waved his hand at the meddling Linda, "This is between your mom and me. Don't interrupt! Nora, are you coming back with me, or should I stay here with you?"
Nora fell silent.
She knew Brent's temperament. He was the kind of person who would do what he said and really have his luggage brought over to stay.
This was a friend's house, and she could come back to stay at any time.
As Nora was worrying about how to talk to Brent, Linda suddenly stood up and whispered something in her ear.
After hearing Linda's words, Nora was stunned and then looked at Linda, seriously considering whether what Linda said was feasible.
Brent frowned deeply, "Linda, what kind of crazy idea are you giving your mom now?"
Linda innocently spread her hands, "Dad, I'm just trying to convince Mom to go back with you. Don't blame me for no reason, okay?"
Brent was skeptical and looked at Nora, "Nora, what did Linda just say to you?"
Nora snapped out of it and looked up at him, "Nora said that if you agree to one condition, we'll go back with you now."
Brent was delighted, "Alright! Tell me, I'll agree to any condition as long as I can do it. I'll even bring down the moon for you!"
Linda clapped her hands, "Dad, you have to keep your word. I'm a witness here!"
Brent gave Linda a sidelong glance, suspecting she was up to something mischievous, but figured it couldn't be anything too serious.
Linda said, "Mom! Quickly tell Dad our condition so he can't back out later!"
Nora looked deeply at Brent and said, "Cole, if you promise me that Trevor will return to his original family, to his real wife, Linda and I will go back with you now."
Brent's expression froze. He never expected Nora's condition to be this.
Trevor was now Sophia's husband. This morning, Sophia had even taken Trevor to the hospital for IVF preparations. Asking Trevor to return to his original family, to his real wife, was impossible.
Sophia wouldn't agree! It was impossible!
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