Chapter 161 Cringy Phone Conversation
In the end, she grew tired and stopped hitting him. “Carter, please tell me that was a joke,” she demanded furiously.
Unfazed, Carter told her, “Mom, I’m tired. You should head home.”
He successfully ignited her anger again.
“Damn it! Why are you so stubborn? You have plenty of choices out there. Why won’t you give up on Amelia? Is she that amazing? Is she worth all your efforts?” Faye yelled in fury. “You’re seriously taking revenge on what I did back then. I raised you up, but this is what I get in return. How disappointing!”
Carter’s mind was throbbing dully. First, Jennifer caused a scene, followed by his mother. He couldn’t help but get depressed.
Meanwhile, Faye took a deep breath to calm herself down.
Sitting down, she dismissed everything with a wave and said, “Carter, we both need to calm down. I was too rash earlier.”
Carter lay in bed silently. It was more exhausting to deal with both women than to work nonstop for four days.
As Faye folded her arms, she spoke calmly, “Carter, tell me. What must I do before you’ll agree to marry Jennifer?”
“Mom, I won’t marry her,” repeated Carter stonily.
Exasperated, Faye told herself, This is my son. He’s my son. I can’t get mad as we can talk things out.
It took her a while to regain her composure before she spoke gently, “Carter, I know you’re still sick, hence the immature words. Can we stop arguing?”
Carter’s head was throbbing. “Mom, I wasn’t trying to argue with you. Forget it. I’m tired, so I’m going to sleep now.”
Faye towered above Carter and said, “I’m not trying to force you, Carter. All I want is for you to forget Amelia and start a relationship with Jennifer. You need to give her a chance to find out if she’s the right one for you.”
In response, Carter’s eyelids fluttered shut.
Faye reached out and shook him to force out a reply from him. Utterly annoyed, Carter opened his eyes again and responded, “Mom, please give me some freedom if you still think of me as your son. The more you force me, the further I’ll drift apart from you. One day, we might end up being strangers. Don’t blame me, for this is all your doing.”
Faye was dumbfounded as she had never expected her son to say something this brutal to her.
Sighing, Carter added, “Mom, leave me alone. I’m really drained out by Jennifer and your actions. Do you know how torturing it is to be plagued by a woman you don’t even know? Stop pushing me to do stuff I hate!”
Disbelief flashed across Faye’s face.
“I’m doing this for you. How could you say that to hurt me?” Faye slumped down in her seat in dejection.
As Carter was her only son, she loved him dearly and tried her best to provide the best for him. Alas, her son didn’t even appreciate her efforts.
Feeling heartbroken, tears rolled down her cheeks. I worked so hard for him, but he couldn’t even understand my efforts!
She started bawling her eyes out.
“I’m such a failure! My son isn’t on my side and is even accusing me of being pushy! Well, I’m a stepmother to him. This is seriously upsetting.”
Carter watched helplessly as she put on a show.
He didn’t let her continue for long as she was, after all, his mother. Struggling to sit up, he consoled her. “Mom, stop crying. Do you want me to come and wipe off your tears while holding back the pain in my stomach?”
And Carter did just that. Yet, before he could leave the bed, he accidentally jostled his wound again.
Faye rushed to his side and helped him down anxiously. “Carter, are you all right? Does it hurt? I’ll ask the doctor to come examine you. You’re so stubborn! Is it so hard to give in to me?”
Carter let out a bitter laugh.
He was a decisive and intimidating businessman who could deal with sly foxes in the corporate world easily. Yet, the two women rendered him helpless.
No wonder Amelia married another man while Tiffany called me a jinx. I finally understand what they mean. If I can’t deal with my mom and Jennifer, I don’t have the right to say I love Amelia.
Carter took his mother’s hand and uttered weakly, “Mom, don’t call the doctor. Just leave me alone, all right?”
That was the first time Faye had seen Carter this weak. Her heart softened immediately.
She hurriedly tucked him in and replied, “I’m sorry for being too emotional. Don’t worry. I won’t disturb your rest.”
Carter insisted. “Mom, I want to be left alone. Please?”
Left with no choice, Faye agreed reluctantly. “Okay, I’ll leave for now. Rest well. If you need me, I’ll be right outside.”
Carter nodded.
After Faye left, Carter took his phone and called Amelia without hesitation. However, she didn’t answer his call.
He typed out a text: Amelia, I’m sorry. I didn’t know Jennifer would push you earlier. I’m really sorry about that. Can you please answer my call?
Ten minutes later after he sent that text, there was still no reply from Amelia.
A sense of helplessness welled up inside Carter as he let out a long sigh.
Meanwhile, Amelia heaved a sigh when she saw Carter’s text, too.
Tiffany gave her some warm milk and asked, “Is it from Carter?”
Amelia nodded.
“What did he say?”
Without hesitation, Amelia handed her phone to Tiffany.
After reading the text from Carter, Tiffany snickered. “Jinx! Will an apology suffice for what he did to harm you?”
Amelia was tickled by her reaction.
“Tiff, don’t be prejudiced toward Carter. It’s unfair for you to blame everything on him,” said Amelia.
Tiffany snorted. “It’s his fault for having such a weird family. Now, that possessive Jennifer Larson has dug her claws into him. He’s unlucky for being surrounded by weirdos. You can’t blame me for scolding him, can you?”
Amelia retrieved her phone and deleted the text.
She sipped on her warm milk and revealed her thoughts. “Sometimes, I pity him for having such a mother. He needs to go along with her wishes lest others label him as an unfilial son. It’s difficult for him to go against her.”
Tiffany spoke nonchalantly, “A matured adult would be able to deal with his relationships easily. Only a mama’s boy would obey to his mother’s every command.”
Amelia chuckled without saying anything.
Tiffany steered the conversation back to the topic. “I think Carter is getting possessive of you, Amelia. If you don’t like him, you should keep a distance from him.”
Amelia could sense that as well. She felt pressured by Carter’s change.
Tiffany continued, “Babe, don’t tell me you didn’t notice Carter’s change? I’ve only dated a few times, but as a freelance writer, I’m really good at observing men.”
Amelia seemed to be deep in thought.
Furrowing her brows, Tiffany continued, “Babe, I think you should stop contacting Carter. Jennifer was raised in a loving family, so she won’t allow the man she loves to care for another woman. I’m not asking you to cut off ties with him. At least wait until you give birth to your baby.”
After pondering briefly, Amelia nodded.
“You should stay with me for a few days. Anyway, Oscar is busy with his lover now. He won’t remember his wife for the time being,” said Tiffany with a straight face.
At her words, Amelia’s eyes dimmed a little.
Just then, Amelia’s phone rang with a call from Oscar.
Tiffany glanced at her and inquired, “Who is it?”
“Oscar,” replied Amelia softly as she answered the call.
“Huh. Speak of the devil,” muttered Tiffany.
“Mr. Clinton,” Amelia greeted him politely.
“Where are you?” Oscar sounded worn out.
Amelia felt sorry for him, so her voice softened. “What’s wrong? You sound exhausted. Is it tiring to take care of Ms. Yard?”
“A little. I miss you.”
Amelia was shocked into silence. After all, this was the first time Oscar had ever talked to her in that manner.
Her cheeks flushed pink while her hand shivered in delight.
“If you miss me, come home. Will you be back tonight? I’ll prepare dinner for you. We haven’t eaten together for some time. I miss that a lot,” she replied.
Then, she held her breath in anticipation.
“All right. I’ll be home tonight.”
Upon hearing Oscar’s answer, happiness glowed inside Amelia’s heart.
“I’ll wait for you, then. Don’t be late or stand me up, okay? I’ll prepare a delicious spread for you.”
“Okay.”
Tiffany cringed at their conversation.
