Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 79

Chapter 79: What Did Jake’s Father Do?

Standing on the doorstep was Margaret. Her face was pale and drawn, her eyes rimmed red, as though she hadn’t slept. She was about to knock when Alex opened the door, and her gaze snapped to his. For a moment, they simply stared at each other.

“Margaret?” Alex’s tone was a mix of confusion and pity. “What are you doing here?”

Margaret’s lips trembled as she forced out a bitter laugh. “What else would I be here for, Alex? I’m here to give you what you want.”

His brows knitted together in confusion. “What do you mean?” he asked looking at her with a frown.

Margaret’s voice cracked as she gestured at herself. “I’m here to beg, Alex. Isn’t that what you wanted? To see me humiliated, groveling, begging for mercy! Isn’t that why you had my son locked up?”

Alex’s heart sank. He stepped forward slightly, lowering his voice. “No, Margaret. That’s not what I wanted. None of this was supposed to happen. I… I’m sorry. I feel terrible about Jake, but my hands were tied. He left me no choice.”

Margaret’s shoulders shook, but before Alex could say more, the sound of footsteps behind him caught their attention.

Claire and Emma who had heard Alex talking to someone and had come to see who was at the door appeared.

Claire was the first person Margaret saw. “I went to your house yesterday. But your butler said…..”

The rest of her words trailed off when Margaret’s gaze landed on Emma and immediately, her face twisted with fresh anger.

Her voice rose, loud and shrill. “Oh, of course. Of course, you’re here, Claire, smiling smugly with her.” She spat the word like venom as her glare settled on Emma. “Your butler had said you traveled and I had foolishly believed. I never expected you’d be here with this… the gold digger who conned her way into this family.”

“Margaret!” Alex warned sharply, his voice icy, “don’t call my wife names.”

Though the situation was tense, Emma couldn’t help the way her heart fluttered at Alex refering to her as his wife with so much protectiveness.

Claire on the other hand, crossed her arms, her expression cool and unimpressed. “I had hoped you’d come to your senses by now, Margaret. But clearly, you’re still living in your delusions. How can you still have the time to blame or call Emma names?”

Margaret looked at her and nodded. If she thought about it, Emma was the centre piece in all this. Maybe if she begged Emma, Claire and Alex would forgive Jake since they both seemed to take Emma’s side everytime.

They were probably resentful towards Jake for treating Emma badly so maybe if she apologized to Emma, Claire and Alex would forgive her son.

Thinking that, Margaret turned to Emma, who stood frozen in place. Tears streamed down Margaret’s face as she clasped her hands together.

“Emma, please. You’re a woman. You know what it’s like to love someone and not able to be with them. You’ve been through what it feels like to lose a child. please don’t let me go through it too. Jake is all I have left. Please, I’m begging you. Tell them to let him go. I’ll do anything. Anything at all but please tell them to release my son. I don’t want to lose him. He might die if he remained there, please. You once loved him, didn’t you? Forgive all he did and help him this once, please,” Margaret pleaded desperately.

Emma’s lips parted, but no words came out. Her heart ached at Margaret’s desperation, but Claire stepped forward, her voice firm.

“That’s enough, Margaret. After all your son did to her, aren’t you ashamed to be begging her to save your son?” She asked, shaking her head in disapproval.

“I don’t care. I just want to save my son. Emma please,” Margaret said glancing at Emma again.

“You should know she doesn’t have the right to free Jake. You should leave, Maggie,” Claire said but Margaret shook her head.

“I’m not leaving until this bitch does something,” Margaret said and Claire shook her head.

“You’re selfish and wicked,” Claire said to Margaret.

She glanced over her shoulder and called out, “Christopher!”

The butler appeared instantly, his professional demeanor unshaken by the drama unfolding at the door.

“See that Margaret gets home,” Claire instructed.

Margaret’s eyes widened in panic. She dropped to her knees, clutching at Claire’s hand. “Please, Claire. Don’t do this. I’m begging you. He’s my son. He’s all I have.”

Claire yanked her hand back, her face hard. “Jake needs to repent, Margaret. Until he does, don’t bother coming back here.”

Christopher gently but firmly helped Margaret to her feet. She sobbed openly, but Claire didn’t flinch.

As Margaret was led away, Alex’s gaze followed her, his chest tight with guilt and frustration. He felt Emma’s hesitant eyes on him but couldn’t bring himself to look at her.

Claire watched as Margaret was led away, her sobs growing faint as the door shut firmly behind her.

When Margaret reached the edge of the driveway, she turned to look at the house one last time.

As Alex drove past her moments later, she whispered under her breath, her voice filled with venom, “No one should blame me for what happens next.”

As they headed back inside, Claire turned to Emma, whose eyes were still fixed on the door, her expression troubled. Emma’s shoulders sagged slightly, and Claire could see the tension in her posture, the weight of guilt pressing down on her.

Claire reached out, placing a hand on Emma’s arm. “Don’t let what Margaret said get to you,” she said gently but firmly.

Emma glanced at her, her brows furrowed. “I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. She’s a mother, Claire. I can’t imagine the pain she must be feeling with her son locked up. It’s not something I’d wish on anyone.”

Claire exhaled, her expression softening, though a flicker of something dark crossed her features. “I understand where you’re coming from,” she admitted. “But this isn’t just about Margaret or Jake. It’s about what’s right. Jake’s actions put others at risk, and he needs to face the consequences. This isn’t punishment—it’s an opportunity for him to grow and change.”

Emma’s gaze dropped to the floor, her voice quiet. “But still… it feels so cruel. Isn’t there another way?”

Margaret reminding her about the loss of her baby had somehow made her feel empathic towards Margaret and even though she was still hurting from all Jake did to her and Margaret doing nothing, she just wished there was a way she could help.

Claire shook her head, her tone resolute. “Trust me, this is for their good. I don’t want Jake to end up like his father.”

Emma’s head shot up at that, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “What do you mean? What did Jake’s father do?”