?Chapter 1337:


    As she stepped out, Ruby struck Alec harder with the hanger. “Behave! Keep quiet, or I’ll leave you without food!”


    Even as the blowsnded, Alec refused to give up. He continued to try to win his daughter’s sympathy, knowing that if he lost this chance, he might never get another.


    The louder he shouted, the harsher Ruby’s strikes became. From outside, Isabe listened to the noise—the screams, curses, and cries—and grew annoyed.


    After nearly ten minutes, Ruby stepped out of the bedroom with a bright smile, warmly inviting Isabe to sit down at the table for a meal.


    The table was piled with dishes, their rich aroma drifting into Alec’s room and stirring his empty stomach. He hadn’t eaten in an entire day and night, and hunger gnawed at him.


    His cries began again. “Starving…”


    “Just ignore him; let’s eat,” Ruby said, serving Isabe food with a ttering smile. “He had iting. He’s done so many terrible things before, and this is his punishment. Don’t pity him. I look after him, yet he curses me and even tries to hit me…”


    Ruby went onining about Alec.


    Isabe, however, acted as though she hadn’t heard a word. Nothing Ruby said could change what was obvious; Alec’s state told the real story—Ruby had been the one mistreating him.


    “Why did you ask me toe here?” Isabe asked, her face calm as she looked across the table. Though her te was stacked with food, her appetite had disappeared. The image of Alec’s filthy room made eating impossible for her.


    She decided to hear what this was about and leave as soon as possible. “Oh, nothing important. I just missed you. You’re my daughter. I didn’t get to raise you when you were little, and now I’d like to spend more time with you. You’ve been distanttely, so I wanted a chance to see you.” Ruby was testing her daughter’s mood, confused by Isabe’s sudden detachment.


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    She took Isabe’s hand in hers. “Will youe visit me more often? I won’t ask you for money. I have all of your father’s money, and it’s plenty for me to livefortably as I grow old. What I truly want is for you to visit me more.”


    Isabe’s face betrayed nothing, her indifference leaving Ruby anxious, unable to tell what was running through her daughter’s mind.


    “Isabe, I’m still your mother,” Ruby said softly, her voice tinged with humility.


    With a dismissive tone, Isabe replied, “I’lle visit you when I have time in the future.” The timing of such a visit, of course, would depend entirely on her mood. “It’ste, and the roads aren’t safe at night. If there’s nothing more, I’ll be on my way.” Isabe stood up, picked up her bag, and headed for the door.


    Ruby’s chest ached as she watched, bewildered by the distance her daughter had ced between them. Why wouldn’t Isabe open up to her anymore?


    “Pleasee visit me more often, Isabe,” Ruby said gently, following her with careful steps, afraid to say anything that might provoke her.


    After a pause, she added, “I cooked all your favorites tonight. Would you like to take some with you?”


    Isabe had already stepped outside, her expression cold. “No, thanks.”


    Ruby stood helplessly as her daughter entered the elevator, the doors closing with finality. A heavy sigh slipped from her lips. Both her children had abandoned her.


    Shuffling back inside, she lowered herself at the dining table, staring at the untouched tes of food. Her mind swirled with questions, unable to grasp how everything had turned out this way.<fn1567> Latest content published on FindN0vel</fn1567>


    “Mom.”


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