Chapter 521 Stop Seeking Love from Those Who Only Exploit You
Nathaniel looked at the home-cooked meal his mother had brought, feeling his appetite stir despite the limited post-surgical diet he was restricted to.
Beatrice sat beside his bed, tears streaming down her face. Despite her flawed worldview, the maternal bond remained unbreakable, and seeing her distress made Nathaniel's chest tighten with discomfort.
"Mom, please don't cry. I'm fine—it's nothing serious. I'll be discharged in a few days."
Beatrice's sobs intensified. "Nathaniel, why won't you listen to me and end things with Aurelia? She's nothing but bad luck. Think about all the disasters you've faced since she entered our family—she's the common denominator in every catastrophe.
She added, "Of course I want you to be with someone you love, but not at the cost of your life! You'd sacrifice everything for her, and it's tearing me apart. You're my only son!"
Nathaniel's jaw tightened. "Mom, try seeing this from Aurelia's perspective. What has she endured since marrying into our family? Her suffering has been a hundred times worse than mine. You have it backwards—everything she's been through is because of me. I owe her a lifetime of making amends."
Beatrice's frustration boiled over. "I can't control how you treat her, but you must promise to prioritize your own safety. If you keep risking your life for her, my heart won't survive it. I'm a mother—please understand a mother's selfishness. How would you feel if Jacob someday risked his life chasing after some woman?"
The question hit home. Nathaniel fell silent, imagining his son in such a scenario—the thought was unbearable.
"Mom, this was an accident. No one could have predicted it. There won't be a next time."
Beatrice wiped her tears. "You better not dare have a next time! Your unreliable father is useless—ignores the business, neglects both children, spends his days browsing antique markets. I swear he's becoming a relic himself."
Ashley, who had remained quiet, finally spoke. "Nathaniel, Mom's having a really hard time at home. Don't make things worse for her. We're all worried about you, and with Uncle's situation, she's at her breaking point. Uncle's been arrested, and Aunt and Grandma call her hundreds of times daily. She's drowning."
Nathaniel sighed. "Mom, you need to establish boundaries. Uncle is Grandma's child, not yours. He's a grown man—he shouldn't come running to you for everything. You can help, but there should be limits. You've been too enabling, agreeing to every unreasonable demand from Grandma's side. That's why their expectations keep escalating."
Beatrice's eyes were now completely red from crying. "I have no choice. Uncle is your grandma's only son. If I don't help as his sister, she'll disown me. Then I'll have no family left."
Nathaniel said, "What's the point of that kind of family—just to be their perpetual servant? You're better off without them. You have a home in Imperick. Ashley and I will always take care of you."
Before Beatrice could respond, her phone rang again. She pulled it from her purse to see Renata Salazar's name, and her face went pale. The constant barrage of calls had left her dreading the ringtone.
"Mom, put it on speaker. I want to hear exactly what Grandma's demanding."
Beatrice glanced at her son nervously before accepting the call. Renata's harsh voice immediately filled the room.
"Beatrice, what are you doing ignoring my calls? I see you've gotten too big for your britches—abandoning your brother and me."
"Mom, I wasn't ignoring you. My phone was in my purse—I didn't hear it ring."
Renata snorted dismissively. "I gave you three days to figure out how to get your brother released. Have you come up with anything? Our family sacrificed to educate you, gave you the opportunity to marry into the Heilbronn family, and now that you're a wealthy wife, you've forgotten your roots? How did I raise such an ungrateful daughter? Today is the third day. Well? Have you found a solution?"
Facing her mother, Beatrice's voice became meek and submissive, completely lacking her usual assertiveness. "Mom, I really can't think of anything. What Thaddeus did this time..."
"Don't you dare blame your brother! Thaddeus did nothing wrong. Even if he had made mistakes, at least he gave me a grandson. What have you contributed to this family? I ask you to help your brother and you make excuses. What good are you?"
"Mom, I really tried. Thaddeus was too greedy this time—he indirectly caused someone's death."
Renata exploded. "What nonsense are you spouting, you worthless girl! Thaddeus would never hurt anyone—he's been framed. You better find a way to get your brother out today, or I'm disowning you."
"Mom!"
"Don't call me Mom! If Thaddeus isn't freed, I'm not your mother, and you're no longer part of this family."
Beatrice wept silently.
This was the first time Nathaniel had witnessed his mother being so thoroughly bullied, and he finally understood where she'd learned her own toxic behavior patterns. The conversation made his blood boil.
"Grandma, Uncle committed crimes and must serve his time. According to your logic, since Mom can't save him, she's no longer part of your family. Fine. From now on, don't contact her about your problems, don't call her phone, and consider all the money you've borrowed as repayment for raising her."
The line went quiet. After a long pause, Renata realized who was speaking.
"Nathaniel? Is that you? Nathaniel, you must find a way to help your uncle—he's your blood relative."
Nathaniel took the phone. "Yes, Grandma, it's me. Let me be crystal clear: Uncle's crimes warrant several years in prison. We don't own the police department, so stop tormenting my mother. Uncle is your child, but so is she. Why the differential treatment?"
Renata scoffed, and in her agitation, revealed her true thoughts. "How can you compare them? Your mother is married and has left, she's just an outsider. There's no comparison."
Nathaniel laughed bitterly, his heart breaking for Beatrice. "You're absolutely right—there's no comparison. Since we're all outsiders, don't come to us when you need help. Handle your own family problems. And stop asking for loans. I won't reclaim the house—consider it a token of appreciation for raising my mother, if you ever develop the capacity for gratitude."
He hung up, immediately blocking Renata and his uncle's family from Beatrice's contacts before returning the phone.
"Mom, wake up. Grandma has never valued you. There are parents in this world who don't love their children—stop begging for affection from someone who only sees you as a resource to exploit."
Beatrice's mind reeled in chaos. She'd never found the strength to speak harshly to her mother, always remaining submissive and accepting abuse and endless demands from her natal family.
She'd expected that cutting ties would be agonizing, but Nathaniel's intervention had brought unexpected relief. For the first time in years, she was free from the burden of pleasing people who would never be satisfied.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
