Chapter 98 Offer to Leave Him
Quinn's POV
I sat down after hearing Grayson's bedroom door close.
Now, even though the atmosphere was still tense, it wasn't as terrible as before. Maybe because I had removed the source of the tension, a.k.a. Grayson.
It was just me and Mrs. Talon, who was finishing her breakfast. But honestly, I didn't think she would continue eating her breakfast.
Oh well, I dared to be here alone because I was very sure Mrs. Talon wouldn't hurt me. At least not physically.
It wouldn't matter if she attacked me with words again. I would listen to her and deny it if it wasn't true.
After all, my purpose here was to introduce myself, establish a good relationship if possible, not to argue, let alone distance Grayson from his mother. So I had to persevere until the end.
After finishing her breakfast, Mrs. Talon looked at me again.
"Ms. Roux, you should know that I don't like your job. After all, I don't want to have a daughter-in-law who massages other people. I just feel sorry for my son if his wife touches not only his body but also the bodies of other men. Not just one, but several."
Oh, that's very harsh. But I also have to explain that what I do is inseparable from my job.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Talon. I won't blame you for thinking that way. But what you need to know is that this is the job of a therapist like me. If I worked as a hockey player, I would always be holding a stick. Likewise, if I were a chef, I would be holding kitchen utensils and handling food for other people."
I took a deep breath and smiled. "All jobs are valuable. And of course I do it professionally, Mrs. Talon." Except with Grayson, I added silently.
"But I won’t change my mind. You could work at your parents' company. But why did you choose a different path?"
This again. Maybe it was time to tell Mrs. Talon the truth. Maybe I didn't need to hide it anymore.
"Or actually, your family doesn't have a company at all? The hospital you mentioned doesn't belong to your family?"
I straightened my back. “You’re right, Mrs. Talon. My family doesn’t own a company. I’m also not as wealthy as you. I have a sick younger brother, and both my parents left us when we were still children. But if you think I’m taking advantage of Grayson because of that, then that’s not true.”
Because our previous relationship was mutual. We both needed each other.
"Then how do you get the money to support yourself and your brother?"
"I work. Part-time at several places. Like I said earlier."
Mrs. Talon then drank the water in her glass. "Okay. Overall, you're still far behind Kelly if she's not lying to me. So what was your purpose in asking Grayson to introduce you to me?"
"I heard Grayson hasn't visited his home in a long time. I mean this house. As the only child you have now, you might feel lonely without him. So I wanted to ease that longing by bringing him here, even if it was just a brief visit. After all, Grayson is very busy, and I'd be very happy if he could spare some time to visit his parents."
I breathed a sigh of relief after answering her. That was indeed my goal, and at least it could be realized even though everything else was falling apart.
I didn't know how Mrs. Talon felt and what she was going through right now. But maybe Grayson's presence could ease her burden a little.
I didn't see Mrs. Talon as an enemy even though she didn't like me. She is still the mother of my boyfriend, and that will never change. And I'm just trying to respect her.
"If I can be completely honest, you don't meet even 1 percent of the requirements to be my daughter-in-law. You should at least have something extra that I can be proud of in front of my colleagues and extended family. So I hope you realize this and leave Grayson."
I might be able to do what she wants. But leaving Grayson, I can't do that.
I clenched my hands under the table. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Talon. I can't and won't leave Grayson."
"If it's because of money, I'll pay you."
"It's not because of money, but because I love him. Grayson feels the same way, he could never leave me or live without me."
Mrs. Talon chuckled, sounding dismissive. “What makes you so confident? Because you’re his fated mate? He even left Kelly, his first love.”
I replied with a calm smile. “Fated mate, yes. Another reason is because I’m not Kelly. I didn’t make Grayson my backburner. I’m not in a relationship with another man. And I’m not taking advantage of Grayson.”
Mrs. Talon placed both hands on the table and tapped her long nails. “So you think you can stay with Grayson because you’re sincere to him and he needs you?”
I didn’t answer. I was still waiting for what else she wanted to say.
“Then what if one day your love disappears and Grayson no longer needs you?”
"I'll make sure that doesn't happen," I replied firmly.
And that seemed to prompt her next reaction where she pulled out a check and placed it on the table. She pushed the check toward me. "Keep it short. Write down the amount you want. Then leave Grayson and never come back."
I just stared at the check and shook my head silently. It was completely unexpected. I never thought I would experience something that usually only happens in movies in my own life.
"Write down as much as you want. If necessary, write down enough to pay for your brother’s medical expenses and your move to another city. I have enough money. If it's not enough, I'll send you more every month. But the condition is that you must never show your face in front of my son or my family again. Do you understand?"
I really couldn't imagine Grayson's reaction if he found out about this. He would definitely be furious. Especially since he was crying when he apologized to me because he valued me with money, even though that was his way of keeping me by his side. Especially now, seeing his mother act like this towards me. Maybe he wouldn't set foot here again.
But I also didn't want to make a big deal out of this. The important thing was that Grayson was by my side. So other than that, it didn't matter.
If Mrs. Talon really couldn't accept me, I wouldn't force her. That was her right.
I smiled slightly. "I'm sorry, I don't understand, Mrs. Talon."