Chapter 1690


    When Kimberly heard ric exin, she immediately cooled down her temper towards Hertha. Her initial anger was partly for show, to keep others from ming her daughter. She thought it better to scold Hertha herself than let others do it, hoping it might diffuse the situation and spare Hertha from outside criticism.


    Given ric had taken responsibility, Kimberly found no reason to keep chastising Hertha. She ceased her scolding, and when she turned to face ric, her expression softened into an apology. "ric, I had no idea about your history together. If I had known, I never would have allowed Hertha to take that money, much less break up with you."Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "There''s been a misunderstanding," ric attempted to rify, though he struggled with where to start.


    Three years ago, ric too believed that it was Hertha who had approached his mother for $200,000 to end their rtionship, and that her affections were merely for financial gain. This misunderstanding led ric to step back, especially when he saw Hertha with Spencer. To him, a woman who was with him just for money couldn''t truly love him, no different from the others he''d dated. But it was only days ago that he discovered the truth; his mother had tricked both of them. Hertha, known for her strong will, must have epted the money and likely gave his mother a piece of her mind too. Kimberly, charmed by ric''s respectful demeanor, warmed up to him immediately. "If it was all a misunderstanding, that''s a relief. Now that it''s cleared up and you two have children, perhaps it''s time to consider marriage?"


    "Yes, Mom-"


    "Shut it!" ric was about to agree with Kimberly and discuss marriage when Hertha sharply interrupted, frowning at her mother. "Mom, please stay out of this. He and I will figure it out."


    "You silly girl, what''s there to figure out? You both love each other and have kids together; it''s meant to be," Kimberly scolded, her brows furrowed in frustration.


    After the lessons learned three years ago, Kimberly was not about to let Hertha''s stubbornness lead the way again. She knew the pain of missed opportunities and wasn''t about to let Hertha waste more precious years.


    "Mom, our situation isn''t something that can be summed up so easily," Hertha sighed, feeling trapped. She wanted to be with ric and create a family for their children, but theplexities of the Falconer family''s social standing felt insurmountable.


    Moreover, the thought of ric''s one night with Georgia, so open and intimate, made her skin crawl with unease. Unable to forgive that night, Hertha found herself at a loss.


    ric, feeling the weight of Hertha''s words, looked down, his heart heavy.


    Kimberly, undeterred, said, "Don''t act like you''re the only one who''s ever been young and in love. Don''t overthink it; cherish what you have. You''ll never regret it. Don''t wait until it''s toote and live with regret."


    Before Hertha could respond, Kimberly directed ric to the dining table, announcing dinner was ready ric, eager to please, quickly took his ce at the table with a smile, embodying the role of the dutiful future son-inw.