Chapter 5
Layla pressed her lips tightly together, her chest filled with an overwhelming sense of bitterness. Her heart, already riddled with wounds, had grown numb to the pain.
In the Stanton family, only two people had ever shown her kindness. One was Seth's grandfather, now deceased, and the other was Seth's mother, Marianne Stanton, who remained bedridden with Parkinson's disease.
Apart from those two, no one liked her—not even the Stantons' staff bothered to smile at her.
Nearly everyone in Haven City knew about the Stanton family's unwanted daughter-in-law. As a result, people naturally looked down on her.
The death of Seth's grandfather had been devastating for Layla. On his deathbed, he had summoned both Seth and Layla, clasping their hands together as he made Seth promise to care for her for the rest of his life. With those words, he had passed away.
What Seth's grandfather would never know was that his words, while offering Layla protection, had also created her prison—a cage from which she could never escape Seth.
Just then, Seth's phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket, glancing at the screen. His expression instantly softened, his eyes filled with tenderness. Layla didn't need to guess who was calling.
"Go be with her," She said wearily. "I need some time alone anyway."
Seth had clearly intended to do exactly that. He walked away to answer the call, and though Layla couldn't make out his words, she could hear the gentle murmur of his voice, full of affection that he never showed her.
After ending the call, Seth was about to speak when his phone rang again. Layla assumed it was Jennifer calling back and started to leave the room, unable to bear witnessing their exchange.
Then she heard Seth's voice behind her. "What? What happened to my mother?"
Thirty minutes later, a black Maybach sped into the driveway of the Stanton Manor. Seth leaped from the car and rushed inside, with Layla following close behind. The emergency had been so sudden that she'd only had time to throw a coat over her nightclothes before leaving.
Seth had barely hung up from Jennifer's call when the caregiver from the Stanton Manor had phoned, saying that Marianne's condition had suddenly deteriorated and the family's private physician was attempting to stabilize her.
They raced upstairs one after another. By the time Layla reached the bedroom, breathless from the exertion, the doctor and his assistant were already leaving.
"Doctor, how is my mom?" Layla asked anxiously, still trying to catch her breath.
"We've stabilized her for now, but we'll need to monitor her condition. She's conscious," The doctor replied.
Layla felt the weight lift from her shoulders. She entered the room to find Seth leaning over Marianne, clutching her hand, his voice trembling. "Mom."
Marianne's face was ashen, her lips colorless, but her gaze remained gentle. When she caught sight of Layla standing in the doorway, a weak smile appeared on her pale face. "Layla, sweetheart... come here..."
Layla fought back tears as she quickly approached the bed, taking Marianne's hand from the other side. "Mom, you scared me."
Marianne's eyes were half-closed. Even as she held both their hands, she had no strength to squeeze them. Her forehead was still beaded with sweat from the emergency treatment.
"I'm fine. I'm sorry for disturbing you two so late at night."
Seth's eyes had taken on a reddish tint. "Tomorrow, we're moving you to the best hospital for treatment. Staying at home is too dangerous, and the doctor can't always be here."
Marianne closed her eyes briefly. "Seth, don't be impulsive. Two years ago, the doctors said my condition was beyond treatment. There's no point wasting money while I suffer through painful procedures. I just want to spend my remaining time at home."
Though Marianne spoke the truth, Seth refused to accept it. He remained silent, gripping his mother's hand tightly.
Then Marianne turned to Layla with a warm expression. "I've finally seen you again. Layla, it's been so long since you visited. I've missed you."
Hearing these words, Layla felt a stab of guilt. How she had longed to visit Marianne! But Seth had forbidden it, claiming he didn't want his mother to be so fond of her. He believed Layla didn't deserve Marianne's affection and hoped that by keeping them apart, his mother would eventually forget about her.
But in this, Seth had been wrong.
"I've been helping a friend with something, so I haven't had time to visit. I'm sorry, Mom. I promise I'll come see you more often from now on."
Marianne's smile deepened the wrinkles around her eyes, radiating warmth and kindness. "Good. Seeing you both tonight makes me so happy. You've been married three years now. When are you planning to have children? I'd love to see your baby while I still can."
Seth tensed slightly, then glanced at Layla before answering, "I'm busy with work, and Layla wants to enjoy a few more years of freedom. We're not planning on children yet."
No matter what excuse Seth offered, he always managed to blame it on her. Layla had grown accustomed to this. Her eyes betrayed her sadness as she forced a smile and said, "You'll live to be a hundred, Mom. You'll definitely meet our children. You'll even teach them to sing, won't you?"
In her youth, Marianne had been an internationally renowned musician who returned to the country after marriage.
Even now, afflicted with Parkinson's disease, her beautiful voice remained in everyone's memory.
"I know my condition better than anyone. I just want to see your children soon." Marianne sighed, her eyes filled with longing.
Somehow, Layla felt something unusual about Marianne tonight. She seemed fixated on the topic of children—something she'd never emphasized before.
Just then, Elizabeth's voice called from outside the door. "Layla, come out here. I need to speak with you."
Layla acknowledged her and, after offering Marianne a few more words of comfort, left the room.
As soon as she departed, Marianne's kind, tired face took on a stern expression. "Seth, what's this news online about you buying an expensive car for Jennifer? Are you having an affair?"
Seth denied it immediately. "No, that's ridiculous. I told you before, she's just a former student I sponsored."
"You're my son. I know exactly which of your words are true and which are false." Marianne clearly didn't believe him.
Seth attempted to change the subject, tucking his mother's blanket more securely around her. "The most important thing right now is for you to rest. Don't worry about anything else."
Marianne persisted, "Seth, the news says you and Jennifer are living together in that North Shore Heights apartment. Is that true?"
Seth frowned slightly, but maintained his composure, steadfastly refusing to admit anything.
"Mom, it's not true. You're going to believe those tabloid journalists? You were a public figure yourself—you know how they make up stories. Don't you remember how they used to spread rumors about you?"