Chapter 51: Independent

Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Independent Betty let out a quiet sigh, watching the woman ramble nervously without pause. ’Why is she so jittery? It’s not like I’m going to eat her... right?’ "Okay, calm down a little," Betty said, her tone steady but not unkind. "I’m not blaming you for anything. Honestly... I was dead in my world, so if anything, I’m grateful to have another shot at life." The woman froze, her trembling easing as her blue eyes lifted hesitantly to meet Betty’s. Slowly, she nodded, her breathing settling. Betty tilted her head, studying her. "Good. Now... what was that request you were so desperate about?" The woman, the original Betty, realized, pressed her lips together, then gave a small nod, hope flickering in her eyes. "Um... could you... Go and meet my mother?" Her voice cracked as tears gathered in her lashes. "Please... I love her more than anyone in this world. and please... don’t tell her I’m dead." Betty pressed her lips together, her crimson eyes narrowing slightly."You know I can’t do that. If I reveal myself to someone I’m not sure about, it’s too risky. And if your mother knows... James will find out too." The original Betty shook her head frantically, waving her hands."No, no! You only need to tell my mother. I know she won’t tell anyone, I swear!" Betty let out a loud sigh, her gaze softening as tears began to glisten in the woman’s blue eyes. "What are you even saying? Even if I told her, what difference would it make? My behavior isn’t like yours... I’m not that kind." The original Betty bit her lip, nodding quickly as if expecting this."I know... but you can just say that while I was away, I learned to be independent. She’ll believe it, she won’t suspect anything. I just..." Her voice broke as she pressed her hands together. "I just want her to stop worrying about me." --- "Betty! Betty!" "Huh, what?" Betty jolted upright, her eyes snapping open to find herself back in the room. "Are you okay?" Lilian’s voice carried a note of genuine concern as she leaned closer. Betty blinked a few times, then waved a hand dismissively."I’m fine. Really." She pushed herself up, adjusting her posture. "So... where should I meet your mother? Because I’m not going to your house." Lilian’s eyes lit up instantly, relief washing over her face as if a heavy weight had just been lifted."Don’t worry! I’ll send her here. Please, just wait a moment!" Without giving Betty a chance to respond, Lilian spun on her heel and bolted out of the room, her footsteps fading down the hall. Betty exhaled slowly, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "I don’t know how it will go." "Mommy, did that aunty leave?" Betty turned toward the bedroom, her expression softening when she saw Sophia’s tiny head peeking out from behind the doorframe. "Yes, dear. She’s gone," Betty said gently. "But... we’re expecting a guest soon. When she comes, can you stay in the bedroom for a while?" Sophia nodded quickly, then shut the door with a little thud. Tears welled up in Emma’s eyes the moment she saw Betty. Lilian quietly closed the door behind them and stepped out, leaving Emma standing in the middle of Betty’s apartment, her gaze trembling with a thousand emotions. --- [Objective Complete: Reward – +6 Friendly Points with Female Lead. Current Points: 5 / 100] "So..." Lilian leaned casually against the hallway wall outside, her tone nonchalant. "What does Betty think of me right now?" [Host Query: Female Lead’s current thoughts of you: At least she’s stopped pretending... though I don’t know how long that’ll last.] Lilian’s lips twitched. "Better than before." --- Betty stared at the trembling woman sitting across from her. That familiar dull ache began to stir in her chest again, unwelcome and heavy. "Are..." Emma’s voice quivered, barely above a whisper. "Do you... know someone named Betty Thomson?" Betty exhaled slowly, pinching her temple before giving a small nod. "Yeah," she said flatly. "I know." Emma’s eyes lit up, hope flaring bright as she leaned forward, her hands clutching her knees. "So, so, I’m sorry if this sounds rude, but..." Her voice cracked as tears clung to her lashes. "Are you... My daughter?" The directness of the question made Betty stiffen. She looked at Emma helplessly, lips parting without sound. ’Tch... that original Betty, seriously... How the hell am I supposed to act like someone’s daughter? I never even had a mother in my previous life.’ Betty’s eyes flickered, her lips parting as if the words weighed a ton. Across from her, Emma stared with unblinking desperation, silently pleading for her guess to be true. "Yeah," Betty muttered, voice low and uncertain. "I’m... Betty Thomson, I guess." For a moment, silence lingered, then tears spilled from Emma’s eyes like a broken dam. She shot up so suddenly she nearly stumbled, but somehow managed to collapse beside Betty. Before Betty could react, Emma’s arms wrapped around her tightly, pulling her into a crushing embrace. Her trembling hands gripped the back of Betty’s head, pressing it against her shoulder as sobs shook her frame. "Waaah... I missed you so much! I was right... I was right, wahhh..." Betty sat frozen, her mind blank, her body stiff as the woman’s warmth and tears soaked into her shirt. ’Damn it... what am I supposed to do now? Comfort her? Push her away? I’m not... I’m not her daughter.’ Betty awkwardly raised her hand and gave Emma’s back a stiff pat, once, twice—like she was handling something fragile she didn’t know what to do with. Ten long minutes crawled by before Emma’s sobs finally died down. She loosened her hold, pulling back just enough to look at Betty. Her eyes were swollen and red, but they shimmered with raw affection. "What happened to you, my daughter? Why are your eyes so red? I... I wasn’t there for you, and yet you grew into such a beautiful woman." Her voice cracked, full of guilt and longing. Betty’s mind scrambled. ’Think, think... damn it, say something!’ Her gaze darted around the room like a trapped animal until an idea struck. "Uh... about my eyes," she said, forcing a nervous laugh. "You know those... permanent contact lenses that just came out? Yeah, I got them. Thought I’d try something new, be, uh, independent, you know?" She ended with a crooked smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, silently praying Emma would buy the excuse.