NABC Chapter 175 This time she will have the chance.
Chapter 175 This time she will have the chance.
Beca was about to shake her head to say that she didn't need to know. As long as it was someone Arwen had chosen, she would accept. "Ryan —" But before she could say anything, Ryan interjected to reveal.
"She has married a man who is even older than Dad, Mom." He said, his tone mixed with rage and sarcastic humor. "Do you really think she has moved on, Mom? Or will be happy with a man who is not twice but thrice her age?"
The weight of Ryan's words stuck Beca like a hammer. Her lips parted, but no sound came as she tried to process it for a moment. Arwen married an old man, thrice her age? Nope, how can that be possible?
Catrin, however, was quicker to recover. She was already against Arwen's decision and this revelation made her frown more. Her brows furrowed deeply, and her voice cut through the silence like a whip. "What do you mean, Ryan? Did you see him?"
Ryan shook his head. "I asked someone to look into the Winslow name and even though not much can be found about him, I got to know the basics —like he is an old man in his seventies who has returned back to the country and has started a new business. Arwen might just been a pawn he must have agreed to gain the favour and connections of the Quinns."
"Presumptuous!" Catrin snapped. "How dare he use my daughter as a pawn?"
Beca shook her head. "Catrin, I think there is some kind of misunderstanding here. Arwen wouldn't be reckless to marry some old man."
"She married a stranger, Beca" Catrin countered, "How more reckless can she be?"@@@@
"Beca —"
"Wait, Catrin. I haven't finished yet," Beca interrupted, adding carefully. "If tomorrow Arwen were to choose Ryan again, no one would be happier than me. I wouldn't stand in her way. But dear," she leaned forward, her gaze unwavering. "I would only support it if I truly believed it would make her happy. And right now, I don't see that happening. She seemed very happy when she visited me last time."
Ryan's face twisted in frustration. "Mom, you don't understand. She is doing all this to get back at me. How can she be happy with —"
"I understand perfectly, Ryan," Beca interrupted, her voice unyielding. "Do you think I won't? I have spent far more time with her than any of you have. Not even Catrin could match up." She then turned back to Catrin as if reminding her of something she might have forgotten.
Over the years, Beca has always been on the side of Arwen whenever she needed her mother. While Catrin had remained busy in her words and missed most of Arwen's important events, Beca has turned up to not make Arwen feel the void of her mother. Maybe her intention to grow close to Arwen had been to solidify the future relationship with her daughter-in-law, yet this has always brought them close —close enough to make Beca consider Arwen almost as her own daughter.
Catrin couldn't refute it. And seeing her agree to it, Beca turned back to look at her son to add, her voice firm, not leaving any room for argument. "You had your chance, son, and you let her down. This time she would have a chance, a choice —to choose you again, or to leave you, just as you left her —for someone else."
The thought alone sent a shiver of fear through Ryan. Shaking his head vehemently, he said, "Mom, Arwen wouldn't leave me. Not for that old man? Do you think he is worth it?"
"Love doesn't calculate worth, son. It defines it," Beca replied, her expression softening into a small smile. "You might not understand it now, but once you truly experience it, you will understand. And I have no doubt that day will come soon enough."