Chapter 164
Joyce quickly shook her head. "It's nothing. I'm just sad you were treated so badly. But it's okay. Look how strong you are now. Nicolas will protect you. Everything will get better."
Thea shook her head. Lowering her voice, she whispered, "I'm only marrying Nicolas for a business arrangement. It's temporary. I need to become stronger before I divorce him. At least I have someone to rely on. Otherwise, those people will take advantage of me."
Joyce was surprised. "What divorce? Even if it's a business arrangement, I can see Nicolas genuinely protecting you. Your relationship might not be great, but it can't be so bad you want a divorce, right? Thea, you should know most couples in our circle don't have strong feelings for each other. My parents, for example."
A tinge of melancholy clouded Joyce's tone.
Thea was surprised. "Your mother?" She'd previously heard Joyce came from a single-parent home and, knowing her for so long, had never heard her mention a mother. Thea had assumed Joyce's mother had passed away and hadn't asked. Unexpectedly, she was alive and well.
Joyce's resentment was palpable. "She had problems with my father and left. Now she's back, still heartless. She doesn't love my father, but he's obsessed with her. It's nothing, though. I don't have t—"
Thea noticed Joyce's strange reaction. Grabbing her hand, worry etched on her face, she said, "Are you hiding something from me?"
Joyce shook her head. "What could I hide? Do I look worried? Don't overthink it. My father adores me; he'll protect me."
Joyce's reluctance to elaborate stopped Thea from pressing further, but a lingering worry remained. Maybe I should visit the Maddox family more often after my leg recovers. I might find something amiss, Thea thought.
They chatted for a while longer, until Thea felt tired. Seeing the exhaustion in Thea's eyes, Joyce left.
"Look at you," Joyce said. "You need to rest properly. Your stamina isn't what it used to be."
Thea smiled. "I don't know why, but I've been sleepy lately. I guess it's from being in the hospital so long and not moving around."
Joyce was worried. "Why don't you get a full body checkup? I still feel uneasy about that injection you received. I worry it contained something else."
"Don't worry, I'm fine. If anything else arises, I'll deal with it immediately."
Only then did Joyce relax.
Chapter 164 (continued)
As soon as Joyce went downstairs and saw the familiar car, the smile she'd shared with Thea vanished, replaced by a glum expression. She quickened her pace, trying to avoid it.
Unexpectedly, the car window rolled down, revealing Kelly Maddox's beautiful face. She'd caught a glimpse of Joyce hurrying past.
Kelly said sternly, "Stop!"
Joyce wanted to ignore her, but the sound of the engine starting forced her to halt. Walking back, she looked at Kelly coldly. "What's the matter?"
Kelly was furious with Joyce's attitude. "What do you mean? I'm your mother. How dare you talk to me like that?"
Joyce sneered. "So what? You're my mother? Are you skilled at betraying your daughter? News of Thea's attack should have spread. She trusted her family; now she's hospitalized and her legs were almost broken. Could it be that I…"
"Enough!" Kelly interrupted impatiently. "Parents always know best. Whatever the Rowland family did, it was because Thea was disobedient and foolish. If they overstepped, it's because there'd be no children without parents."
Joyce was enraged by Kelly's attempt at moral manipulation. Crossing her arms, she said coldly, "Let me ask you, what right do people who give birth but don't raise their children have to be thanked? You abandoned me at three months old. You never looked at me again until now. And now you suddenly appear and call yourself my mother? What right do you think you have to demand my gratitude, obedience, and compliance?"
Kelly was furious. Pointing at Joyce's nose, she scolded, "You listen to your father, not me! If you drive me away, it will break his heart. Joyce Maddox, are you so heartless?"
Joyce's tightly clenched fists relaxed weakly. She couldn't do it. Her father had raised her through hardship. Even if she didn't understand his inability to forget Kelly, she couldn't bear to see him hurt.
Seeing the helplessness and fatigue in Joyce's eyes, Kelly softened her tone slightly. "Don't throw a tantrum. Everyone's gathering at the Maddox family today."
Kelly smiled smugly. "Get in the car. Your father's there."
Joyce felt disgusted. What gathering? she thought. Since her return, Kelly's been trying to find me a boyfriend, really trying to sell me for a good price. Kelly had brought various young men to meet Joyce, pushing them towards her regardless of her feelings.
Seeing Joyce hesitate, Kelly emphasized, "Your father is there. If you don't go, I won't either."
Joyce rolled her eyes and got in the car, slamming the door shut. Kelly's face darkened.