Faced with her daughter's heart-wrenching question, Shannon felt her heart tremble in excruciating pain.
Shannon hated Justin, but she had to admit that he really treated Carrie well, even better than herself, as Carrie's mother.
Now that Shannon thought about it, Justin did not seem so hateful anymore.
But what could she do? There could only be one Mrs. Salvador. Mary was an enemy Gregory chose for her.
After a moment of silence, Shannon slowly said, "At that time... I was already pregnant with your sister. I want a name for
myself... I want to fight for a better life for my children and a better future..."
"You got it afterward. Dad accepted you, and you reached your goal. But why did you still kill Justin's mother?!
"Justin never hated me or gave me the cold shoulder because I am your daughter! Annie, too... They saw me as their sister,
giving me care and concern I'd never experienced before... They gave me all of that! They are my benefactors... How could you
be so cruel?!"
Carrie was not a fool. She knew how selfish her mother was, and she understood her mother's negligence toward her.
She even felt inferior in her heart, blaming herself.
She hated that she was not as healthy as her sister and that she was not a boy. If so, perhaps Grandpa would accept her
mother, and her mother would not have to walk on eggshells at home. Her mother would not have to spend all her focus trying to
stabilize her status, living a life of constant pretense and scheming.
But never in her dreams would she think that her mother would kill someone for her selfish gains.
"If my luxurious life was bought with someone else's blood, I'd rather have never been born into this world... I'd rather give up
being the fourth daughter of the Salvador family!" Carrie's eyes reddened and her fingers clenched tightly as she trembled
violently in Ryan's arms.
"Darling... Don't get so worked up. Calm down..."
Ryan panicked when he saw her state. He hugged her tightly, resting his chin on her head while comforting her softly. "Honey,
didn't we agree not to get angry no matter what topic it is? It's not good for your health and would only worsen your condition."
Carrie gritted her teeth. Leaning against the man's warm chest, she gradually calmed her surging emotions.
Shannon's dim eyes did not blink, and only beads of tears rolled down her cheeks, full of painful repentance.
"Back then... I was possessed. I wanted to overcome my social class and become someone important. I've had enough of
poverty since I was young. Those expired food and tattered clothes made me inferior, and I could never raise my head high.
Then... I was scouted into the entertainment industry. did everything it took to climb the ladder only because I didn't want to
return to those cold and hungry days..."
"But do you know what kind of life Justin's mother had to endure?"
Facing Shannon's grievances, Ryan's eyes turned red, void of pity but rather full of indignance. "Mary took Justin, who was not
recognized by the Salvador family, and lived in a slum full of mixed riffraff for five years! Her body was weak, so she could not
find work. Justin, who was five years old, shouldered the family's burden so that they would not starve to death.
"Mary merely wanted basic living requirements. Even if Gregory brought her back to the Salvador family, even if you're the
mistress, she never thought of fighting you for any status! It was your insatiable greed and endless desires that caused you to kill
an innocent and kind woman for your own gain! You even nearly killed Justin!
"Shannon, even though you are Carrie's mother, I still have to say this. You deserve to die!"
Carrie looked at Shannon's pale face, drowned in tears. Pain and hatred filled her heart, leaving her speechless.
"I know that my words don't mean anything now. My crimes and Mary's life... I will pay them back."
Shannon pressed her tear-streaked face against the glass, staring at her daughter with wide eyes. "Carrie! It was all my fault. It
has nothing to do with you... Don't do anything stupid! You must live well... You're still young, and Mr. Hoffman loves you... Your
future will be bright!"
She then looked worriedly at Ryan. "Mr. Hoffman, you will take care of Carrie, right? Will you marry her?"
"I will."
Ryan's hand gradually tightened on Carrie's shoulder, his gaze firm as a rock,unshakeable. "My wife will only be Carrie.No one
else."
"Good... Good..."
Shannon smiled with relief, wiping her tears. "Carrie, when you get married, you should have some dowry. I still have a few
pieces of jewelry in the safe by my bedside. The password is 0814. Take it. It's all can give you now."
The password was the date Shannon entered the Salvador family.
What was once a proud achievement now holds no meaning to her.
"No need..." Carrie shook her head, still tearful.
"When Carrie marries me, all she needs to bring is herself, not dowry." Ryan's eyes were cold as he refused firmly.
"Prisoner 0742, your time is up." The guard's indifferent voice came from the door.
Shannon's heart tightened, her fingers curling tightly on the glass as if trying to grasp something.
"Goodbye, Mom."
Carrie slowly stood up. Ryan wrapped his arm around her waist, and the couple turned around, walking toward the iron door.
"Carrie!"
Their footsteps halted.
"Be careful of your sister."
Shannon wanted to say that she loved her, but at this point, a murderer like her did not deserve to speak of motherly love.
Carrie did not look back.
From now on, Carrie would never see her mother again, nor would she want to.
The iron door closed heavily, and Shannon broke into tears.
When Carrie was still a baby, Shannon would hold her in her arms, singing nursery rhymes tirelessly and telling stories. Those
times were so beautiful.
If possible, Shannon wanted to live again.
If she had another chance, she vowed to be a better mother.