Chapter 53: Consequences
Ma Yanyu lost all the strength from her knees and faltered in her steps.
"Y-Yanyu!" Her husband quickly caught her shoulders, his voice breaking.
Ma Zhilan looked away and defeatedly said, "As soon as we found Juan, the first thing that Yanyu did was not to hug her or apologize for her carelessness but instead put all the blame on the child. Juan told me everything that happened on the way back. You let her go first. But you lied through your teeth because you were afraid of Wenyan's disappointment. I...couldn't believe your audacity, Yanyu."
She chuckled mockingly. "You ignored your daughter all this time but I thought that in the face of such a serious adversity, you would act responsible. You would learn to cherish her more. Juan was the one who suffered such a terrible experience and yet she was the one blamed and scolded. Even Wenyan was the same."
He lowered his head in shame.
"This injustice wore her down b-but..." she sniffled, "she still kept hoping for your love. But nothing changed, Yanyu. Your heart remained as hardened as ever it was before..."
"Wh-what did I do...?" Ma Yanyu's face looked white. That day was a nightmare for sure but for Juan to get almost kidnapped...
What would have happened to Juan if Dai Meihui hadn't found her in time? They might have really lost her forever.
Tears gushed out akin to waves crashing violently at the shore, and she broke down. From the bottom of her heart, she always knew that it was her fault. Her carelessness cost her big time. But the thought of facing the guilt and repercussions of losing her daughter frightened her to her core.