C72 A Mother's Resolve

The dining room remained silent. Her eyes were still swollen from crying, but she had regained enough composure to hide the pain behind a gentle smile. Even so, everyone around the table could see that she was forcing herself to stay strong.

Sarah held Monica quietly in her arms while Tracy and Kelvin watched Samantha with worried expressions. The atmosphere had become heavier than before, as though every word spoken that night carried the weight of years of hidden truth.

Samantha looked at Monica for a long moment. The little girl was completely unaware of the storm surrounding the adults. She smiled innocently as she reached for Sarah's fingers, making Samantha's heart ache even more. No matter what happens... I can't let Monica suffer because of our mistakes.

She took a slow breath before speaking. "Mom... Dad..." Both Kelvin and Tracy looked at her immediately. "What has been revealed tonight shocked all of us. I never imagined the truth would be like this." She paused briefly. "But there is something else we also have to consider."

She looked directly at Kelvin. "The Wood family's reputation." Kelvin lowered his head without saying anything. "If we suddenly announce that the wedding has been cancelled, people won't simply accept it. Rumors will spread throughout the business world. Investors will begin asking questions, the media will speculate, and our competitors will use it against the company."

She smiled bitterly. "I don't want Monica to grow up hearing people call her the child whose parents' marriage collapsed before it even began." Tracy's eyes gradually turned red. Samantha continued calmly, "Agreeing to this marriage won't make me happy. In fact... it may never make me happy."

She lowered her eyes. "But I also want my daughter to have a complete family and a stable future. If sacrificing my own happiness is the price for Monica's future, then... I am willing to pay it." Sarah stared at her in disbelief. How could someone willingly marry the person who had hurt her so deeply?

The answer was sitting peacefully in her arms. Monica. Samantha looked back at Kelvin and Tracy. "I only have two conditions." Tracy immediately nodded. "My child, tell us. As long as it is reasonable, we will agree." Kelvin remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

Samantha gathered her courage. "My first condition is simple." "If I marry Ben... our marriage will exist only for Monica." Everyone became quiet. "I will fulfill my responsibilities as Monica's mother and as a member of this family, but I cannot accept Ben as my husband."

She spoke firmly despite the trembling in her voice. "I want my own bedroom." Sarah's eyes widened. Samantha continued before anyone could interrupt. "I don't know how you will explain it to Ben, and honestly... I don't care." "I need time." "Maybe one day, after I've completely healed and let go of everything that happened, I might consider giving our relationship another chance."

She slowly shook her head. "But today... I cannot." "If that condition cannot be accepted, then there is no point discussing the second one." She stood halfway from her chair. "I will pack my belongings, take Monica, and leave tonight. If my parents refuse to take me back, then I will rent a small apartment. As long as my daughter is with me, we will survive."

Kelvin and Tracy exchanged glances. Neither of them had expected Samantha to remain so calm while making such difficult demands. After several moments of silence, Kelvin finally nodded. "I agree." His answer surprised everyone. "You deserve your own space. No one, not even Ben has the right to force you into a relationship before you're ready." Tracy also nodded. "I agree as well."

Samantha slowly sat back down. "My second condition..." She looked at Monica before continuing. "I want to work in the company." This time, Kelvin raised an eyebrow. She continued. "You once told me that company shares had already been allocated." She began listing them from memory. "Ben owns 15%." "Sarah owns 12%." "I own 5%" "And Monica owns 8%."

Kelvin nodded. "That's correct." Samantha took another deep breath. "My request is that Monica's shares remain under my guardianship until she is old enough to make her own decisions." The room became quiet again. "I don't trust Ben." "I believe that if he realizes Monica's shares can strengthen his position within the company, he may try to control them."

Her voice remained calm. "I won't allow my daughter to become a tool in anyone's fight for power." Kelvin leaned back thoughtfully. "So you're afraid Ben wants Monica's voting rights." "Yes." "But," Samantha continued, "I don't intend to control those shares for my own benefit." Everyone looked at her curiously. "If Monica's shares remain protected under my name, then I would like four percent of my own shares transferred to Sarah."

Sarah almost dropped Monica in surprise. "What?" Samantha smiled softly. "That would increase your holdings from twelve percent to sixteen percent. While i still have 9%, Once Monica grows up you can eventually give her back the 4% and i will also return her 4%.

She looked directly at Sarah. "You are intelligent, capable, and fair." "I believe you would become the second most influential shareholder after your father." "You've always placed the company's future above personal interests." "I trust you." Sarah was left speechless. No one had ever shown her that level of confidence before.

Tracy, however, frowned. "I don't like this." Everyone turned toward her. "I don't want my children competing against one another for power." "My family shouldn't become divided because of company shares." Kelvin remained thoughtful. After several minutes, he finally spoke. "I understand Samantha's concern."

He folded his hands together. "She isn't asking for more power." "She's asking for protection." He looked toward Sarah. "And she's placing her trust in you." Then he looked back at Samantha. "I approve your second request." "But only one part of it."

He smiled faintly. "Monica's shares will remain protected under your guardianship until she reaches adulthood." "As for transferring four percent to Sarah..." He turned to his daughter. "That decision belongs to her." Sarah looked down at the sleeping Monica in her arms. She never imagined that returning home would lead to a responsibility this great.

After a long silence, she finally spoke. "I... need time." She looked at Samantha with complicated emotions. "This isn't just about shares." "It's about trust." "And I don't want to make such an important decision without thinking it through."

Samantha smiled gently. "I understand." For the first time that night, the atmosphere became slightly lighter. Nothing had truly been resolved. Ben still knew nothing. The marriage still hung in uncertainty. The company itself could soon become the center of an invisible battle. But one thing had changed. Samantha was no longer fighting alone.