Chapter 1777


    ric still carried that faint scent of mint and tobo, a fragrance that Hertha found captivating.


    Her heart softened at the familiar scent, but then she quickly remembered ric''s affair with Georgia, and her defenses shot up. Irritation red, and she shoved ric away forcefully, "ric, get your filthy hands off me!"


    Pushing ric caused Hertha to stagger several steps backward, her strength surprising even herself.


    ric took a step back, his gaze filled with sorrow as he looked at her. He swallowed hard, pain evident in his voice, "Hertha, I''ve done a paternity test for the kid. It''s not even certain he''s mine. You know what Georgia is like; cunning and maniptive. Who knows what she''s plotting now?" Hertha, heartbroken, let out a coldugh, "It doesn''t matter if the child is yours or not. The fact that you were involved with her is undeniable!" At her words, a pained expression crossed ric''s face, and he hurriedly tried to exin, "I was drunk that night. If I had been sober, nothing would''ve happened between us... and..."


    He paused, then continued, "And, haven''t you already forgiven me for that mistake?"


    Hertha scoffed, crossing her arms angrily, "Who said I forgave you?"


    "How could you agree to marry me if you hadn''t forgiven me?" ric asked.


    "Have the nerve to bring that up? Wasn''t it you who constantly used my mom to pressure me into marrying you?" Hertha spat out the words in anger, revealing her true feelings in the heat of the moment.


    ric was visibly hurt, murmuring, "I pressured you?"


    "Isn''t it obvious?" Hertha retorted.


    ric gave a bitter smile, nodding in admission, "Yes, I pressured you....."


    He hung his head, a picture of dejection.


    Seeing his state, Hertha realized she


    might have been too harsh. She wanted to offer some words offort, but remembering the current state of their rtionship, she bit her lip, made a tough decision, and didn''t say anything tofort him. Taking a deep breath, she walked past him, pressed the elevator button-the elevator was already on the ground floor, so the doors opened quickly. Hertha stepped inside, pressed the button for her floor, and then frantically hit the door close button, intentionally putting distance between herself and ric.


    ric stood with his back to Hertha, only turning around when he heard the elevator begin to ascend.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    He watched the numbers on the elevator disy climb, frustration gripping him as he ran a hand through his hair.


    He had arrived first, nning to visit


    Hertha''s ce. As he was about to knock, he overheard Kimberly''s


    comints from inside, saying,


    "Howe Hertha and ric aren''t back yet? I hope nothing''s gone wrong again!"


    ric stopped knocking, realizing Hertha hadn''t returned yet.


    By all ounts, Hertha should have been home before him. Her absence meant she didn''t want toe back.


    Lacking the courage to face


    Kimberly, ric decided to wait


    downstairs, hoping to ca


    and perhaps have a proper


    discussion about how to face


    Kimberly together. But it seemed Hertha had already closed her heart, unwilling to engage further.


    Feeling utterly dejected, ric was lost, unsure of what to do next.


    Upon returning home, Hertha opened the door to find her parents, Kimberly and Ashton, sitting at the kitchen table with stern expressions, clearly in a bad mood. They both stood up upon seeing her.


    Their demeanor suggested a confrontation was imminent. Hertha stepped back, panic-stricken, pleading, "Mom, please, just calm down and let me exin!"


    "What''s there to exin? Hand it over!" Kimberly demanded sternly, extending her hand towards Hertha.


    Confused, Hertha looked at her mother''s outstretched hand, "What are you talking about?"


    "Your marriage certificate, what else!" Kimberly said firmly.