?<strong>Chapter 28:</strong>


    Belinda shifted her gaze to Holley and nodded in affirmation. “Yes, I med you before. You even believed I took Kylee’s ne.” A bitter chuckle escaped her as she continued, “It’s quite something, isn’t it? My own mother refused to trust me.”


    Belinda was deeply hurt by Holley’sck of trust.


    Holley’s face grew anxious when she heard this. “I’m sorry, Belinda. I was misguided then, but I came to realize someone had set you upter.”


    With a dismissive shrug, Belinda responded, “Does it really matter now? You still thought I was guilty of pushing Kylee intentionally. That’s why you were adamant about me apologizing to her.”


    “No, Belinda, that’s not the whole truth,” Holley said, shaking her head earnestly. She quickly attempted to rify, “I was aware you didn’t shove Kylee, but under those circumstances, an apology was necessary to pacify your father. Had you apologized, perhaps you wouldn’t have been beaten up like that. Do you think it didn’t break me to see you in so much pain?”


    Indeed, because Belinda had stood her ground, refusing to confess to stealing the ne or pushing Kylee, Baker had brutally beaten her with the brassie, leaving her bruised.


    Despite the physical pain, she had never conceded to the usations, resulting in Baker banishing her from the Wright family’s home.


    On the day she had departed, the injuries on her back had been severe. That evening, those wounds had worsened, leading her to have a high fever.


    This incident had made herpletely lose her hope in Baker.


    Reflecting on those moments, Belinda felt a resurgence of emotions. Sheposed herself, looked Holley in the eye, and said resolutely, “Why should I apologize for something I didn’t do? Admitting fault would mean acknowledging that I did those things. I’d rather endure physical pain than betray my principles.”


    Holley’s eyes were filled with tears, her voice breaking as she said, “I didn’t see the bigger picture.”


    “I just wanted to shield you from further harm.”


    As tears rolled down her cheeks, Holley looked truly pitiful. “I’m sorry, Belinda. I was weak, and I didn’t protect you well—it’s all my fault!”


    Tears streamed down her face as Holley pped herself in distress.


    Belinda felt a sense of resignation upon seeing this. With a sigh, she extended her hand to sp Holley’s, offering gentle reassurance. “It’s okay, Mom. I’ve forgiven you long ago. There’s no need for you to me yourself now.”


    Holley gazed at Belinda, her eyes brimming with hope. “Is that true? You’ve really forgiven me?”


    “Yes,” Belinda said, dabbing at Holley’s tears with a tissue.


    A smile then broke through Holley’s tearful face.


    After a moment’s reflection, Holley’s expression became thoughtful. “Belinda, could it be… Do you think Car might be behind the hormonal issues?”


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