CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 30- REGRET

Thinking about all this, Morrison felt he couldn’t just sit idly by and watch things go downhill. He realized that if he tried to handle it himself, it probably wouldn’t work. The best option was to get Lilian involved—Bert adored Lilian, and whatever she said, Bert would listen.

Hmm, now that was a brilliant idea.

Meanwhile, Bert, having ended the call with Morrison, finished the water in his glass, then strolled over to the window. Hands tucked into his pockets, he looked out over the city shrouded in fine rain. His resolute, clear-cut profile was reflected in the opposite windowpane, and for a fleeting moment, beneath those deep eyes, a trace of loneliness slid across his expression.

Morrison had actually been right—on days like this, gray and rainy, one could indeed feel a bit lonely.

But Bert merely curled the corners of his lips in a faint smile, hiding that trace of melancholy in his eyes. He turned calmly and headed to the kitchen to make himself something to eat.

He was a very capable cook. Growing up overseas, he had become skilled at all kinds of Western cuisine. Then, during the past year or so, Lilian had been living with him and had taught him some Chinese cooking. So as a single man, he never suffered from not being able to take care of himself in terms of food.

After saying goodbye to Bert, Catherine hurried to Renata’s hospital room. Since she had taken a nap that afternoon, she hadn’t even gone home to prepare dinner, so she went to the hospital cafeteria and bought some appetizing meals to bring back. Mother and daughter sat together, eating.

Renata’s recovery was going well; she would be discharged in two or three days.

During the meal, Renata asked her how the interview had gone. Catherine didn’t want to hide the fact that it hadn’t gone well. Besides, Renata probably had already guessed, so Catherine told her honestly:

"I’m still a newcomer. Most companies prefer designers with work experience."

"Everything is difficult at the start. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself about money. It doesn’t matter how much the salary is, or how big the company is. In fact, smaller companies often teach you more," Renata said gently, comforting her.

"Mom’s also been thinking these past few days. Once I’m discharged and fully recovered, I’ll go out to tutor, or maybe run a small class, to help cover part of your expenses."

Renata worried that Catherine might chase only high-paying jobs under financial pressure and avoid smaller or lower-paying companies.

Hearing Renata say she planned to tutor and help out, Catherine’s eyes welled up.

"Mom, why do you always think about these things? Over the next year, I don’t want you to overwork yourself!"

Catherine felt deep concern for Renata. She knew her mother only did these things out of care for her, but no matter what, she could not bear to see Renata work herself so hard.

Renata comforted her gently,

"Tutoring isn’t tiring at all. Mom has been a teacher for so many years—teaching a little kid is nothing. Besides, isn’t tutoring so much easier than standing and lecturing all day?"

Catherine was about to say something more, but Renata cut her off,

"All right, all right, let’s not talk about that for now. Just eat your meal first. Everything else can wait until I’m discharged."

She then served a large piece of Catherine’s favorite dish onto her plate.

No mother could ever be indifferent to her child. In a mother’s heart, nothing mattered more than her children.

There had once been a test: given a choice between a house and a child, men and women were asked what they would choose. Most men chose the house, but all women chose the child.

So for Renata, as long as she could ease her daughter’s burden even a little, she would do everything in her power to help. Even if her daughter disagreed, she had already made up her mind.

Perhaps it was because, when Channing had betrayed her and cheated, Renata had already seen through the man’s despicable nature. That was why she had insisted on taking nothing from him, only Catherine. Recently, she had heard that Channing’s company was in some trouble. Naturally, her mind went straight to the thought that he might try to use her daughter for his own schemes. She couldn’t help but ask,

"Has your father contacted you? About his company...?"

"No. I have neither power nor influence. Why would he bother with me?"

Catherine shook her head firmly. She could never tell Renata about the vile things Channing had done, especially with Renata just recovering from a serious illness.

Renata gave her a steady look and said calmly,

"You must always remember this about him—you owe him nothing. You don’t need to do anything for him, especially anything unreasonable."

Her words were pointed but brief. She trusted that Catherine would understand the meaning behind them.

Renata had never regretted taking nothing from Channing. Even though the past years had been somewhat frugal for the two of them, if she had accepted his wealth back then, it wouldn’t have just affected Catherine—Renata herself might have been forced to solve problems for his company under his control.

When a person is vile and despicable to the extreme, they are capable of anything.

After finishing dinner, Renata told Catherine to head home early, as the rain outside was beginning to fall harder.

Catherine opened her umbrella and stepped out of the hospital. She had originally intended to wait at the nearby bus stop, but then she noticed Gerald getting out of a car parked by the roadside.

Catherine turned, intending to leave, but Gerald blocked her path.

"Cici!"

She gripped her umbrella and kept walking without looking back.

Earlier, when she had gone to the cafeteria to buy some food, Gerald had tried calling her—she hadn’t answered. Later, he sent her messages, but she didn’t reply either.

Catherine felt firmly that, given Gerald’s current status, it wasn’t appropriate for her to have any interaction with him. Ever since he became Lucca’s boyfriend, they should have had no contact at all.

No—more precisely, ever since he had chosen to break off their engagement and abandon her, they shouldn’t have been in contact.

And yet, here he was, catching up from behind.

"Cici."

He stood directly in front of her, and Catherine had no choice but to stop. She lifted her eyes from beneath the umbrella to meet his, speaking calmly,

"Do you need something?"

Gerald, having rushed to catch up, hadn’t even had time to open an umbrella. He stood in the rain and mist, looking both disheveled and somewhat sorrowful.

"I... I called you so many times just now, and I sent a lot of messages..."

To Catherine, no matter how ragged or pitiful Gerald appeared, it didn’t concern her. It wasn’t her fault he had to chase after her down the steps, nor was it her obligation to make him stand in the pouring rain.

Catherine only gave a polite smile in response to Gerald’s words.

"I’ve been with my mom, maybe I didn’t notice your calls."

"Since you’re here, then say it face-to-face if it’s important."

Gerald wiped the rain from his face and stepped closer, grabbing her arm as if to guide her toward his car.

"I’ll take you home first."

Catherine calmly stepped back, putting some distance between them.

"No need. The bus stop is just ahead."

Gerald frowned.

"In this heavy rain, you’re really going to squeeze into a bus?"

Catherine stood firm.

"That’s my business."

She added, glancing at him with steady eyes,

"If you don’t have anything important, I need to go now, or I’ll miss the bus."

"Catherine!"

Suddenly, Gerald grabbed her. The force made her stumble, and her umbrella slipped from her hand, falling to the wet ground. The icy rain instantly drenched her, sending a chill racing through her body.