Chapter 602 What Did You Say to Jesse?
"Jesse," Rainey stood up, trying to stop him, her eyes showing a flicker of emotion.
Jesse glanced at her, his whole vibe distant. "What now?"
"I mean no harm," Rainey said, her voice heavy. "Elara's family owns a company; she's from money. If you stay with her, you'll always be under their thumb, living by their rules."
"Do you even know her family?" Jesse asked, keeping it short.
"I don't, but she seems like a spoiled rich girl. You won't be happy with her," Rainey added. "If you're serious about getting married, I can set you up with someone."
That hit Jesse hard. He suddenly got why they were having this meal.
"Terry's got a niece. She's pretty, hardworking, and great at household stuff," Rainey said earnestly. "She can cook, has a good temper, and can handle tough times."
"Enough!" Jesse snapped, his patience gone.
Rainey flinched, not expecting him to be so harsh. Her eyes welled up. "Jesse."
"Do you really think I'm not right for Elara, or do you just want me to marry Terry's niece?" Jesse asked, seeing through everything now.
Rainey hesitated. "I..."
"Just say it. What's your purpose?" Jesse had no more hope for any so-called motherly love.
Looking back, it all made sense.
Rainey left Jesse when he was about four and didn't get in touch with him again until he graduated from college. It wasn't until he started working that Rainey suddenly tried to reconnect.
If she really cared, she would've been there when he needed her most. But she wasn't.
"What do you mean by 'purpose'?" Rainey didn't expect it to go this way.
"You had someone in mind for me from the start. This meal wasn't about meeting Elara," Jesse said coldly. "What's your real reason for meeting me?"
Rainey's face darkened. "Jesse..."
"You've got one minute," Jesse said, ice-cold. "If you don't talk, I'm going back to Gedser with Elara and never coming back."
"I..." Rainey was at a loss for words.
Jesse stood there, waiting.
"I need to ask if you have any extra money," Rainey finally said, biting her lip. "Your sister wants to buy a house, but Terry and I don't have enough savings. We thought, since you make good money, you could lend us some. Don't worry, we'll pay you back."
"How much?" Jesse asked.
"We're short four hundred thousand for the down payment," Rainey replied.
"I can borrow three million from Elara's parents and give it to you, so your daughter can buy the house outright," Jesse said, testing her. This was a first for him.
Rainey's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"But there's a catch," Jesse felt a mix of emotions. He wasn't sure if Rainey's words made him sad or relieved.
Rainey asked, "What is it?"
"I'll cut all ties with you," Jesse said. "If you take this three million, we're done. No more contact."
"Well..." Rainey hesitated, her face a mix of emotions.
Even without her saying it, Jesse got the message. If she really cared, she wouldn't have hesitated.
A loving mom would either angrily say no way, that their bond couldn't be bought, or joke about it. They wouldn't need time to think.
"So, you're willing to trade it." Jesse's heart ached, his voice turning icy.
"Can we talk about this?" Rainey asked, still clinging to the money. "How about one and a half million, and I can still contact you sometimes? I really want to make up for the past."
Jesse's hands clenched at his sides, trying to stay calm.
Rainey went on, "I still feel guilty about what happened back then."
"If you really felt guilty, you wouldn't even consider it," Jesse called out her selfishness and hypocrisy.
Rainey looked embarrassed. "Jesse."
"I'll transfer the money to your account," Jesse said, making his final decision. "From now on, we're strangers." With that, Jesse walked out of the private room.
"Jesse!" Rainey called after him but didn't follow.
Jesse left without looking back. He saw Elara waiting outside, walked over, and took her hand. "Let's go."
After they left, Terry came back to the private room. He glanced in the direction Jesse had gone and asked Rainey, "What happened?"
"He doesn't see me as his mother anymore." Rainey looked a bit lost.
"What did you say to him?" Terry asked, "He seemed to care about you before."
"I just told him what we discussed," Rainey replied, her expression conflicted. "He agreed to give us the money for our daughter's house, but he wants to cut all ties with me."
"What do you think?" Terry pressed.
"I don't know," Rainey felt torn. "I want to make up for the past, but after all this time, it feels pointless."
"It's your call," Terry didn't decide for her. "If you want to make it up to him, I'll try to borrow the money elsewhere."
"He said he could give us three million dollars," Rainey revealed. "To cut ties."
Terry's calm demeanor shattered. "Where on earth did he get that kind of money?"
From what Jesse had told them, he only made about twenty thousand a year. Even after working for years, he shouldn't have three million.
"Elara's family runs a company. He borrowed it from her parents," Rainey said, still unsure of what to decide..
At first, she thought it was worth it. She and Jesse didn't have much of a bond. She had a new life and kids now. Even if they cut ties, it wouldn't matter much.
But then again, Jesse was still her child. Truly cutting ties left her with a strange, indescribable feeling.
Terry didn't say anything more.
For an ordinary family, three million dollars was a huge sum.
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