Love You Enough to Leave You

Chapter 329 Talking It Out

Over in the study, Kate’s beautiful eyes burned with anger. “Derrick, you and Crystal were arranged to be married since both of you were young. Both of our families have agreed to such an arrangement, and you’ve never said otherwise. You can’t just marry someone else now, especially someone who is in no regard better than Crystal. Do you know what this means for the two families?”

Derrick looked at her face intently. After all these years, age had not left a single trace on her face. With a heavy sigh, Derrick responded, “Mom, you know I said my piece of mind a long time ago. I told you that I didn’t want to marry her from the very beginning. I even said I would give up the right to inherit everything in the family, so why do you and Dad insist on me marrying her? Do I mean anything to both of you? Is money more important than my happiness?”

Hearing that, Kate turned grim. “How could you say that, Derrick? This is so hurtful. You know I did everything for you. Our family is extended and huge. There are so many family members who are vying for the inheritance. I don’t understand why you’re giving away everything that’s meant for you. I will never allow you to do something this stupid. Everything in the family is rightfully yours, so you’d better come home, inherit the family business, and do what you’re supposed to do instead of wasting your time and effort on that shabby publishing company of yours. End things with that girl. She’ll only drag you down.”

Derrick was dismayed at his mother’s words.

When Kate realized how her words had disturbed him, she softened her tone. “Derrick, I don’t mind you having some fun around before you get married. I believe Crystal will understand too. She might even turn a blind eye to your behavior after you guys get married, but she still has to be your wife. I have other ways of making Tiffany leave even if you insist on continuing this relationship. Don’t forget the whole Clinton family is looking for that friend of hers.”

Derrick’s heart smoldered with rage. He hated his mother’s entitled behavior to the core. To her, everything—including relationships—were nothing but tools.

“You should get going, Mom, since you’re still unwell. I’ll ask the chauffeur to send you to the airport. Dad must be worried if he knows you came all on your own.”

Kate, however, stood up and moved closer to Derrick. “Are you hurrying me off, Derrick?” she asked, her eyes curved into a smile.

Derrick looked her in the eye. “No way. I’m just concerned about your health. You should be resting at home. Imagine what Dad will feel with you coming here unattended.”

All the while, Derrick had always respected Kate. Yet, their relationship had never progressed beyond pure respect, simply because he never felt it was possible to draw closer to someone like her.

Meanwhile, Kate felt exasperated. Derrick was her only son. Now that he refused to budge, she felt she was losing control over his life.

Hence, she swept her silky hair on her shoulder and put up a pitiful look. “Derrick, are you going to just dismiss what I said and continue dating her?”

The man was caught in a difficult spot. He did not want to vex his mother. After all, she was still weak, and Derrick did not want to agitate her. People always said that God was fair, and Derrick could not agree more. Kate had the beauty all women coveted, but she did not have health. She looked perfect, but no one knew she had always struggled with enduring headaches. It would happen about every half a year. Her sickness was unpredictable, and she had combated it for dozens of years. Every time her sickness recurred, she would be in great pain. That was why Derrick would try his best not to provoke her.

“Mom, you know I’ve always listened to you, but I love Tiffany. She’s the only person I will marry. If you’re set on objecting to our relationship, I will give up everything I have from the family, including my right of inheritance. Everything you’ve been planning will go to ashes if that happens.”

This was the best Derrick could do, but Kate was not satisfied.

“Is this a threat?” Kate blinked her eyes.

dating Tiffany, and I don’t want you to

only make her the bad person if she came in between. What was more, Derrick might even revolt and walk out of the house, and this would be too much of a loss for her. Therefore, she decided to just watch and wait

after some deliberation. “Fine. Both of you can go ahead if that’s what you want, but she’ll have to meet our family’s standards, else a breakup will be the only option for both of

have nothing to worry about, Mom. I’m sure Granddad will be fond of her. They have a lot in common—especially

likes her or not. She will have to learn the etiquettes if she wants to step into the family. Also, Amelia is Oscar’s ex-wife. The Clintons have already spread words around asking people to keep an eye out for her, so she can’t stay here anymore. I don’t want her to be the reason for contention between the two families. You have no say over this matter because it concerns the whole family. Our family might be huge, but the Clinton family is

Derrick heard that, he

reply. She thought he was going to take Amelia’s side, but

sort this out, Mom. You don’t have anything

she uttered a word, she figured she should just let Derrick settle this on

Both of you are my two favorite people in the world,” Derrick

Tiffany. I don’t mind you dating her, but you’ll have to marry Crystal. I’ll never agree to you marrying Tiffany.”

a profound silence as if he was contemplating

her departure was a quick one too. She bid Derrick farewell and had the driver send her to the airport after

her car pull off. “Let go inside,” Derrick told

car was finally out of sight. “She’s

just needs some time to come around. It’s just a matter of time before she accepts you

on her face, Tiffany uttered, “I don’t think so, though. She has already chosen a wife for you. I bet she’s annoyed I came out of nowhere and messed up her plan. She must hate me to

a glance at Amelia and just smiled without saying a

why don’t you and Derrick spend some time together?

you

nodded, and they went upstairs. “Tiff, do talk things out with Derrick. Don’t forget to ask him about Crystal, and see if she’s really his fiancé. You don’t want to be

“I will.”

Amelia went into the nursery, Tiffany went back to Derrick and suggested

garden for a breath of fresh air. “Derrick, who is Crystal to you? I’m your girlfriend now, so I don’t want to be blindsided about anything. I don’t want to be the last person to know about my boyfriend being engaged

and looked at her searchingly. “Tiff,” he said

Kate gave birth to Derrick, Crystal’s mom gave birth to her. When Kate brought him to visit the Halliwell family, Derrick, who was still a boy back then, held onto baby Crystal’s hand and said he wanted to marry her. Their parents were overjoyed when they saw this. That was

was hard for him to cut all ties with

to know that I’ve never ever given her the idea that there was the slightest possibility between us. Trust me when I say there’s nothing going on between us. You’re the one I love, and I want to marry you one day,”