Chapter 391: Harsh reality [3]
"You did not know that your husband died this morning? I understand that they inform all members of the family. Why, news of it even reached my ears, so I had to put off my time with your daughter to give her a moment to mourn," said Olivia.
Agatha opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Why had Clive passed away?
He was in good health when she last heard of him.
"This is how I know that you are not close to your daughter. If you truly care for her, you would let her go now and not try to use her to climb your way up. There is no place for you in my world, but there is for your daughter," Olivia said, giving Agatha the harsh reality.
Olivia continued, "You should love your daughter more than you love the idea of entering high society. I have heard plenty of tales about you, and there is no place for you. At least not beside me."
"You do not know me. All you know is rumours," said Agatha.
"I can pick out what was exaggerated, but I know the kind of woman you are. I liked it better when you were not around, as you can ruin her chances. It was easy to accept her because you were not around. Your heart is different from your daughter’s," Olivia said, lacking interest in Agatha.
"You do not know me-"
"You do not need to repeat it more than once. I have seen ladies like you quite often, so I know how you are. Your daughter is your step forward, and you think this marriage will be your saving grace. I assure you that it will not be," Olivia said, as Zayne would not be used. "Leave your daughter alone."
Agatha laughed at Olivia’s absurd demand. "I couldn’t tell you to leave your son, so why do you think you could tell me to leave my daughter? Are you going to stop the wedding if I don’t leave my daughter alone?"
"No, because that would be cruel to the children. I have accepted that those two are in love, and I shall support them. What I won’t support is you coming to use this marriage to your advantage. If I were you, I would be hiding after supporting my awful husband," said Olivia.
"I did leave him. That is why I am not mourning his death right now. This is why you mustn’t think you know me so well. I am never going to be out of my daughter’s life, so I suggest you get used to my presence. We should get along," Agatha said, confident she wasn’t going anywhere.
Olivia chuckled. "Since you came to me and not to your daughter, you must have been hoping that I would be your way to get to your daughter. I am not going to place myself in the middle of your troubles. I am also not going to entertain you because you are her mother."
"Stop thinking about the riches and the status. Care more about your daughter than about standing in high society. If you try to push yourself in, you will ruin her chances. You are not a good woman with a good reputation, but there is hope for Iris," Olivia said, hoping Agatha would finally listen.
"You are a mother. You should know that at some point children are to take care of their parents. It is now my daughter’s time to take care of me. I will not be asking you for help or money, so you don’t need to concern yourself about me," Agatha promised.
Olivia sighed as Agatha refused to listen to her. "You will truly be the one to tarnish all her chances. I’ll have to do my best to ensure that you do not succeed. I’m sure you always wanted her to marry far beyond her status, and now that she has, you will ruin it?"
"I have nothing now after my husband’s crimes. I have been punished for what he did. I only ever tried to place my daughter in a better position so she wouldn’t end up like me. She never understood it and thought I was cruel," Agatha said, her gaze falling to her lap as a flicker of hurt passed through her.
After a moment of silence, Agatha said, "If I had money to take care of myself, I would not need to come see my daughter or your son. His home is where I first stopped before coming here. I have very little money to care for myself."
"Then you should sell the dress that you wear and find honest work. I am not going to pay you to stay away from your daughter. You should do it without being told because you are a good mother. If she wants to take care of you, then so be it," Olivia said, leaving Iris to decide.
Olivia pressed, "You have the wrong idea of me if you think I would pay you to stay away. I would rather toss the money into a river than allow you to touch it. Let us understand each other quite well. I don’t care for you, and your daughter alone will be my family."
"I am trying to be kind for the sake of the children," Agatha said, still forcing a smile despite the sting of Olivia’s words.
"No, you are being kind for the sake of yourself, so you may benefit from this union, but you are all out of luck. If you had shown that you are a decent mother, I would have taken pity on you and tried my best to help you, but you are not. Leave," Olivia said, glancing at the door.
"I am a good mother. You wouldn’t understand me since you were raised with a silver spoon in your mouth. You could let your children run freely and do as they please without worry because you had money around," Agatha said, angry that Olivia judged her.
"I am far from the perfect mother, but it warms my heart to know that I am better than the likes of you. I encourage you once more to consider what I said and try not to use your daughter. Allow her to rise, as we both know she can," said Olivia.
Agatha gripped a handful of her dress. At every turn, there wasn’t anyone to help her.
"Truly, I am not trying to fight with you. I know every mother wishes for their daughter to do well. Your daughter is doing well for herself. If you give her time, she might welcome you into her life. For now, I urge you not to spoil her moment," Olivia said once more.
"Do have a good day," Olivia said, motioning to the door.