Save Myself from Desperation

It was funny. This was Ashley’s first time hearing such a neutral term of address from her mother. Bertha used to either call her by her full name or scold her as a

“worthless girl” or a “good-for-nothing”.

Ashley initially didn’t want to pay attention to Bertha, but now, she was somewhat interested. She signaled Joseph and Jaden, then walked with Bertha to a fountain nearby.

The setting sun cast its last rays, sprinkling the fountain’s water with sparkling diamonds. The shimmering water was quite beautiful.

Ashley, however, didn’t admire the scenery. With a cold tone, she asked, “What do you want to talk about?”

Bertha fiddled with her handbag. She had never spoken so humbly in front of Ashley, and it took her a few seconds to speak ina bitter voice. “Ashley, your brother and sister...”

Ashley cut her off coldly. “Mrs. Ramos, | don’t have a brother, and | certainly don’t have a sister.”

Bertha felt a sting in her heart and widened her eyes in disbelief. Her well-maintained face showed faint wrinkles. “What did you call me?”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

In her mind, Bertha thought, ‘Mrs. Ramos? She won't even call me Mom?”

Ashley, taller than Bertha snorted and looked down at her. “Mrs. Ramos, if you're here to discuss what | should call you, | don’t have time for this.”

Bertha’s breathing quickened. She closed her eyes, then reopened them as if ready to humble herself. She spoke softly. “Today, at the Design Exchange Competition, Jessica knocked over a water bottle and ruined your design. The incident was posted online, and many people are criticizing her. Jessica’s reputation, which had just started to improve, is being tarnished again.

“Ashley, can you post a statement online saying you’ve forgiven Jessica so people will stop criticizing her, please?” Ashley’s tone was indifferent, barely showing any emotion. “You're upset that Jessica is being criticized?”

Without hesitation, Bertha replied, “Jessica is my daughter. Seeing so

many people criticize her, how can I, as her mother, not feel upset?”

Ashley found this amusing and actually laughed, but her eyes didn’t share the humor.

“Mrs. Ramos, when you falsely accused me of pushing you and let the internet insult me, did you feel even a bit sorry for me, the one being criticized?”

Bertha was speechless and couldn’t respond for a while. Ashley’s smile faded, and she turned to leave.

Seeing this, Bertha quickly reached out to stop her, pleading urgently, “Just help Jessica by making a statement. If she continues to be criticized. like this, her reputation will be completely ruined.

“And Frankie. The Ramos family finally got him out of jail. He’s always been ambitious, wanting to make the Ramos family more and more successful. And today, you ruined his plan to sign the contract with Sean.

“Ashley, please stop targeting Frankie and Jessica, okay?” Ashley looked at Bertha emotionlessly. “When they were bullying me, why didn’t you talk to them like this?”

Bertha’s fingers trembled slightly, knowing she was in the wrong, but she still reached out to stop Ashley from leaving. “Even if the Ramos family wronged you in the past, that’s all in the past now. Let's just let bygones. be bygones...”

Ashley had never heard such absurd words before. For a moment, she didn’t even want to waste her breath arguing with Bertha.

Bertha stared into Ashley’s eyes, her voice tinged with a hint of a choke. “Ashley, Frankie and Jessica are really in a tough spot right now. Please, just let them off this once. I’m begging you...”

Ashley’s calm demeanor remained undisturbed. Glancing at Bertha’s hand blocking her way, she felt disgusted. “Get your hands off me. | find them dirty.”

With just a few words, Bertha felt like she had been pricked by a needle, tremblingly withdrawing her hand. “Ashley, | just...”

Ashley looked over with a cold and distant gaze. “Mrs. Ramos, I've

already cut ties with you as a mother. Stop calling yourself that.”

After all, Bertha was only acting so submissive for the sake of Jessica and Frankie. Bertha fell silent upon hearing Ashley’s words, looking at her in a daze.

Two years ago, when Bertha brought Ashley back to the Ramos family, she knew Ashley was so beautiful that she easily outshone Jessica, who had been pampered since childhood.

Bertha was more surprised than anything the first time she saw Ashley, wondering how she could have given birth to such a beautiful daughter.

Whether it was her delicate eyebrows and eyes or her lovely facial features, none of them resembled her. She had even doubted how she and Evan could have a daughter so exquisitely beautiful.

Bertha’s emotions surged as she looked at Ashley, hesitating for two seconds before speaking again, pleading, “Ashley, please spare Jessica and Frankie this once...”

Just as Bertha finished speaking, two tall figures suddenly rushed over before Ashley could respond, standing protectively in front of Ashley.