"Are you asleep, Cedrick?"
Tabitha asked, though clearly upset that her son had kept her waiting outside for so long.
Cedrick quickly forced a smile. "Mom, why didn't you call me? I would have picked you up."
"Don't give me that. You're too wrapped up in yourself to care about your mother. You suddenly got a girlfriend without telling me, and it's Veronica's daughter, no less. Have you lost your mind?"
Tabitha's voice was laced with disapproval. Unaware that Jessica was present, she stormed in and immediately confronted her son.
Cedrick's expression stiffened as he glanced toward the bedroom door.
Jessica, who had been about to emerge, quickly hid behind the door.
"Mom, you must be exhausted from your flight. Let me drive you back," Cedrick said, reaching for his car keys.
"Are you going out dressed like that?"
Tabitha shot him a disapproving look and plopped down on the sofa. "I'm not done talking. Sit down."
"Mom, we can talk tomorrow. It's late," Cedrick tried to delay.
Cedrick was really worried that his mom might say something hurtful. Jessica was still in the room, after all.
"Now," Tabitha insisted. "Before you get involved with someone, did you even consult me? You know girls from single-parent families often have flaws..."
At that moment, Jessica stepped out of the bedroom, having changed into a new outfit.
Tabitha's speech died in her throat as she looked from her son to Jessica, pointing accusingly, "You two... when did you start living together? I thought you just made your relationship public!"
Cedrick walked over and took Jessica's hand. "Mom, we've been together for a while. We just haven't told you."
But Jessica swiftly pulled her hand from his grip.
Cedrick's expression darkened as he gazed at her, sensing her discomfort.
"Cedrick, I'm leaving. You two talk," Jessica said, reaching for her bag.
"It's late. How are you getting home alone? Let me drive you," Cedrick urged, his face etched with worry.
"I'll call my assistant," Jessica replied and left without another word.
Tabitha, her face frozen, asked, "Did she hear what I said and get upset?"
Cedrick sighed. "Mom, you shouldn't have brought up her family background. She's quite sensitive about it."
"What's wrong with what I said? Has Veronica found that man?" Tabitha was acquainted with Veronica, and the prospect of becoming family was overwhelming.
It was past ten at night. Jessica hugged herself in a corner, waiting for her assistant to pick her up.
She didn't know why she had stormed out—she could have explained things to Tabitha.
But Tabitha's words had struck a nerve, stirring the pain she had long buried.
Was it her fault for not having a father? Or her mother's?
Tears welled in Jessica's eyes. She had never felt such an urge to see her mother.
She didn't want her to endure another cold remark because of her.
"Jess!" Cedrick's anxious voice came from behind.
He hurriedly dressed and ran downstairs.
Jessica turned her face away, trying to hold back her tears, but her voice betrayed her dejection. "Why did you come down? Your mom just got back. You should stay with her."
"Jess, I'm sorry," Cedrick said, unable to embrace her as he used to. He could only look at her with eyes full of pain and apologize.
Jessica laughed bitterly. "Why are you apologizing? Everyone knows it's true. Your mom didn't mean to hurt me."
"Jess, stop. I know you're upset, but my mom didn't mean it. She didn't know you were here..." Cedrick tried to explain.
"If she knew I was here, would she still say that? Would she still think that way? Cedrick, don't try to comfort me. I know I come from a single-parent family, and I don't have the right to argue. Because it's the truth."
Jessica's tears fell despite her efforts to hold them back.
"Jess, I don't care about your family background or that you're from a single-parent family. Please don't belittle yourself like that. I'll talk to my mom," Cedrick said.
He reached out his long arm and gently grasped her trembling shoulder, trying to pull her into his arms to comfort her.