There was a mask and the feeling of being betrayed as Zhang Liling asked that question.
Squinting her eyes at the paper in her hand while trying to sit up, Song Jujing's eyes widened in shock in familiarity.
Zhang Liling watched her mother closely and saw her change in facial expression and her heart felt bitter.
"So this is true?" She questioned in disbelief.
It was as if she would have believed her if she had said that the letter in her hand was fake.
But seeing her change in expression, and her not trying to make any effort to deny it, answered her question.
Realizing that the truth had come out, Song Jujing didn't try to deny the contents of that letter. It was too late.
Gazing into her daughter's eyes made her see the emotions she didn't ever want to see.
Not wanting her to hate her because of the choice she made, she hurriedly got to her feet and tried to explain.
"Liling, I know you are very angry, but please let me explain. I am indeed wrong for hiding the truth for you."
"The truth is already 2 months old, but who knew that I would be fooled for that long?" Zhang Liling said cutting her off immediately.
'I'm wrong. I should have spoken out before she found the letter.' Song Jujing thought in guilt.
"Liling listen, I had my reason for keeping this from you with didn't make sense in any way. I have told you my fears, and I would never stop talking about it because you are alone." Song Jujing started.
Releasing a short breath, she continued.
"I am afraid of that women Shi Wenqian. Your father no longer has eyes on you, and it would be dangerous if you stay in a city with no one protecting you. I was scared of losing you, and this is the only reason I chose to do this."
The greatest fear of a mother was loosing her child, and that was Song Jujing felt while thinking of how her daughter was going to stay in a city with no one watching her back.
Ignoring her explanation, Zhang Liling asked with a bittered expression on her face."How long did you plan on keeping this from me?"
At that question, Song Jujing felt as if cold water was poured over her.
How long did she plan to hide it from her? Well, she didn't plan on keeping it from her forever. It's just that she didn't know when.
Seeing her hesitation, Zhang Liling spoke again as she withdrew the letter.
"Mum, do you know that if you had come clean from the start, reminded me about your fears, and had told me to stay for a few more months, I would have listened to you?"
Zhang Liling would have done just that. She loved her mother so much, and after going through a rollercoaster of emotions during the chemo sections, she would have done anything for her.
She was her mother, what kind of sacrifice couldn't she do for her?
"Did you think that you could have kept me here forever?" Zhang Liling asked as a smile that wasn't a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
She could feel her heart racing against her chest.
All that was in her mind was to just leave her sight and go out to some place where she ould be by herself.
Sensing that everything was about to fall apart, Song Jujing immediately stretched out her arms to reach for her hand, but she immediately took a step back.
Feeling a wave of sharp pain hitting her heart, she tried to explain once more.
"Liling, I know you were truly worried about me, and I'm sorry for playing with your emotions. It was never my intention to lock you up here. I only wanted to keep your here till Shi Wenqian had forgotten about your existence. That woman is nothing good and will continue to see you as an enemey to her greed."
"Then I would ruin her greed and destroy her!" Zhang Liling swore angrily.
She was furious and even pictured tearing her stepmother's face on the spot. She was so angry because that woman was the reason her mother held her back in fear.
It just didn't make sense for her mother to be afraid. How long would she continue to run away?
Would she because of one person abandon her dream and stay in hiding over here?
Zhang Liling refused to accept that fact.
Seeing her flushed with anger, and afraid that she would try to face Shi Wenqian head-on, Song Jujing looked alarmed as she tried to stop her immediately.
"Liling, calm down, you can't fight that woman alone. Her background is shady and I have not been able to find anything for a long time."
"You can't be in Paris and be searching for clues. Also, I won't continie to hide from her. I also want to tell you that I have someone who has my back in City S, and I'm going back to him!" Zhang Liling declared before turning to leave.
"Liling! Liling!" Song Jujing called out as she immediately chased after her, not thinking properly.
She didn't seem to think about the possibility of slipping on the tiles.
"Mum don't call me! I have already booked my flight to City S. As the heavens are in my favour, I got the only free spot to make the trip back tomorrow." Zhang Liling revealed.
She heard her mother following behind her and had to stop her there because nothing she said that was going to make her change her mind.
Song Jujing was so shocked that she stood rooted on the spot. "S-She... She has booked her flight already?" Her quivering lips managed to utter.
"L-Liling..." She tried calling out to her daughter one more time, but the next response she got, shattered her mind completely.
"Mum, I have a lot of things to pack. My flight is urgent, so I need a lot of time to put some important things together."
FLASHBACK ENDS...
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