“I don’t have any intention of mocking you, nor do I want to hit you now that you’re down. However, I’ll still say all that’s needed to be said.”
Subsequently, Joan didn’t hold back her punches as she spoke. “You can’t blame anyone for your predicament now because you’re merely reaping what you sowed. You wouldn’t have been reduced to such a sorry state if you hadn’t had harbored tons of malicious thoughts and concocted so many evil plans. Therefore, I have no sympathy for you.”
Upon hearing this, the bitter smile on Gabriella’s face deepened.
“I know. All this is retribution for all that I’ve done, so I don’t blame anyone for my predicament now. I no longer harbor a single hint of hatred even toward you—Joan Watts—and Larry Norton, the two people whom I once detested to the marrow and whose relationship I tried my very best to fragment.
“Now, the only thing I want is to survive and have my baby, then give him or her a good life. So, if there’s nothing else, please leave so that I can continue with my business.”
Gabriella’s words came from the depths of her heart without any pretense, nor were they meant to garner her sympathy.
Presently, she was only the mother of a child. No matter how heinous she was, a mother was the noblest and most selfless individual.
Joan nodded in acknowledgment as Gabriella’s words diminished her enmity against her.
Indeed, she once committed a grievous offense, but she has now admitted to her wrongdoing. Should I not give such a dauntless woman an opportunity to turn over a new leaf?
After a long moment of hesitation, she made up her mind.
“Gabriella Ward, let me clarify that I’m not here because of you, much less because I pity you. I’ve seen your predicament, and while I think it’s what you deserve, your child is innocent. He or she shouldn’t be suffering with you. You weren’t a good person, but I hope you can be a good mother.”
Staring at Gabriella, she continued with a serious expression, “There’s three hundred thousand in this bank card, and I’ve removed the PIN. This money isn’t for you. Rather, it’s for a good mother. Take good care of the child in your stomach and continue living. Don’t deprive your child of his or her mother.”
Then, she took out a bank card and handed it to her.
All at once, Gabriella froze. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever imagined that the woman whom she hated most would actually give her such a large sum when she was at her lowest and most vulnerable.
Oh my God, is she for real? It’s three hundred thousand! To my past self, it would’ve been a pittance, but now, it’s a king’s ransom that can save my life and that of my child’s! With this money, I won’t have to starve anymore. At the very least, I can give birth with peace of mind and find a better job in the future. I’ll no longer have to worry about food and shelter.
“A-Are you seriously giving me this money?”
Gabriella’s voice trembled slightly, for she didn’t dare believe the truth that was right before her eyes.
“To your past self, perhaps this amount is negligible, but I now hope that you’ll put it to good use and be a good mother,” Joan emphasized once more.
Taking her hand, she then gave her the bank card.
As Gabriella clutched the bank card that was still warm, she was overwhelmed by gratitude and regret. Recalling everything she did to Joan back then, tears streamed down her face.
“I’m sorry! I’m really sorry! I shouldn’t have done all those things in the past. I shouldn’t have been blinded by my desires and given in to greed, let alone hurt you with a myriad of ruthless ploys. I was wrong, so I’m really sorry. I don’t dare hope that you’ll forgive me, but I hope you’ll accept my apology.”
She wept bitterly, for she was truly regretful. She regretted having wasted her most precious youth on plotting and scheming, the wrongdoings she shouldn’t have committed that led to her current predicament, and most of all, the trouble and hurt she had caused others.
Out of the blue, she thought of her father. As his only daughter, not only did I not take good care of him, but I even did so many things that put our family in jeopardy!
