Nicholas knew that she had a kind heart, so he lowered his head and held her hand. “Even if she can’t accept this, it has nothing to do with you. Kathleen has gone as far as to change her looks and identity. She could have lived a brand new life without us knowing about it, but she didn’t. Instead, she chose to have her revenge against you, and that paved the way to her own death.”
Tessa couldn’t help but think that his logic was sound. Previously, when she didn’t know that Susan and Kathleen were the same people, she’d always let Susan off easily every time she was provoked. She had absolutely no reason to be emotional because of someone else’s mistakes. “You’re right. I did nothing wrong,” she said, flashing Nicholas a sweet smile.
He felt his heart flutter when he saw that smile. So, he gave into his impulses and lowered his head to kiss her cherry lips. They held each other tightly under the silvery moonlight, and the temperature in the room began to rise. After an evening of sweet lovemaking, Nicholas finally let her off when it was close to midnight, and she was so tired that she didn’t want to move anymore.
The next few days were calm and uneventful. Tessa obediently stayed home to recuperate and watch the kids since her hand injuries had yet to recover.
Soon, it was the day before Kathleen’s execution. Early this morning. Hathaway brought Mona with her to the prison. In the visitation room, she fidgeted uneasily on the chair, waiting for the officer to bring Kathleen out. After a few minutes of waiting, sounds of footsteps could be heard from the other side, and Kathleen dragged her feet into the room under the supervision of an officer.
At the sight of Hathaway, a thick look of hatred emerged in her eyes, and she hissed, “Didn’t you already decide to wash your hands off me? Why are you here to visit me, then? To gloat?”
When Hathaway saw the hate her daughter harbored for her, she despaired beyond words, and tears kept flowing from her eyes as she covered her mouth, unable to utter a single word.
However, Kathleen was simply annoyed and snapped at her in frustration, “Save your crocodile tears in front of me. It makes me sick! A woman like you isn’t fit to be a mother at all. It’s no wonder that Daddy would rather cheat than be with you. I curse you to a life of eternal loneliness to the very last seconds of your life. You’ll be all alone, and none of your students will ever treat you sincerely!”
Her words dealt a huge blow to Hathaway, and she wobbled in her seat. Next to her, Mona couldn’t take it anymore and supported Hathaway by her shoulders, snarling. “That’s enough, Kathleen!”
Kathleen merely sniggered at her, “Oh, I remember you, the lapdog by Tessa’s side.” Perhaps it was because tomorrow was the day of her execution, the Kathleen today was brazen and impudent, spouting all sorts of abuses. “You became the chief of Hathaway Philharmonic since Tessa’s not around. You’re just a mere spare. I have never imagined that without Tessa and me, you’ll actually pick someone like this to be the concertmaster. This doesn’t seem like you at all. Oh, that’s right. I forgot that not long after I left, Cindy left with quite a few of your elites because she was unhappy with your biased treatment.”
The last of her statement was meant for Hathaway, and as she wanted, it hit Hathaway where it hurt, and she passed out on the spot. Panic overwhelmed Mona when she saw Hathaway lose consciousness. “Someone, please call for help!” she yelled at the jailer outside.
The scene slipped into chaos, and a twisted sneer appeared on Kathleen’s face as she watched people frantically bringing Hathaway out of there; along with it was an indescribable relief in her heart.
Hathaway was brought to the emergency room upon reaching the hospital. Fortunately, nothing serious happened to her. She merely passed out from the huge mental blow that she couldn’t deal with at the moment. Yet, after she regained consciousness, she sat on the bed with lifeless eyes, exuding a depressing air around her as though she had lost her soul.
Mona watched her with anxiety and finally called Tessa for help, “Tessa, Miss Hathaway went to visit Kathleen today and… Suffice to say, it did not go well. She’s not doing so well now, and I’m very worried about her. Can you please speak to her on my behalf? Please?”
