The CEO's Amazing Ex-Wife Is Back (Thalassa and Kris)

Aunt Cynthia's eyes widened in disbelief at her audacity. "You're shameless, Karen. After everything you've done, you still have the audacity to claim that title for yourself?"noveldrama

Susan crossed her arms on her chest. "Don't worry aunt. She can blabber or she wants." She turned her steely gaze to Karen. "If you and your daughter aren't out of here by tomorrow, then prepare to be kicked out."

Before Karen could respond, a quiet voice interrupted them. "Karen."

They all turned to see Rita approaching them, her face pale but composed. Cynthia's gaze immediately shifted to Karen's mother, her anger rekindled.

"Rita," she snapped, her voice full of contempt. "Do you know what your daughter has done? Do you know how she's humiliated this family? She made fools of us-" Her voice rose, but Rita cut her off, speaking softly.

"I know," she said, her voice strained, eyes locking onto Karen's tear-streaked face.

Cynthia's eyes narrowed. "You knew? You already knew about your daughter's deception?" She scoffed, her tone dripping with scorn. "God, I thought you were a decent woman. Is this how you raised your daughter? To whore around and deceive men?"

Rita wanted to argue, to tell her that she didn't know until recently and she was just as shocked by the revelation, but she knew it would be fruitless. These people will still judge her nonetheless.

Cynthia threw up her hands, shaking her head in disgust. "God never gave me children, but if He had, I would have raised them right."

Then she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room. Rita's face tightened from the sting of her words which felt like wounds being ripped open.

Susan stepped forward, sneering. "Maybe now that you're here, you can take your daughter and her child before we throw them out ourselves.'

She walked off with Tyler following close behind, leaving Karen and Rita alone in the living room. Rita stepped closer to her daughter, reaching out to gently touch her arm. "Karen... are you okay?" Karen recoiled sharply, pulling away from her mother's touch as if it burned. Her tear-filled eyes flared with anger and hurt. "Don't touch me," she snapped, her voice breaking. "How dare you even come here?" Rita's hand dropped to her side, her heart breaking as she looked at her daughter. She dragged in a deep breath.

"Karen," she began softly, "I came because you're my daughter and I love you."

Karen's head snapped up, her face contorting with fury. "How dare you talk to me about love?" Her voice was sharp, biting. "You betrayed me, Mom! I begged you not to tell Kris, but you still went ahead and did it anyway! You've ruined my life!"

Rita flinched at the words but didn't back down. Her eyes softened with a mix of pain and resolve. "Loving you doesn't mean condoning your bad decisions, Karen," she said her voice steady now. "And you've made a lot of them. I couldn't stand by and watch anymore."

"Leave!" Karen's voice was shrill as she pointed toward the door. "Why don't you go to your precious daughter Thalassa, huh? You clearly love her so much more than you've ever loved me."

Rita's face fell, her eyes glistening with sadness. "That's not true, Karen," she said quietly, but Karen cut her off with a bitter laugh.

"I don't want to hear it." she folded her arms, her body rigid with anger. "You've made your choice."

Rita hesitated, her hand reaching out

as though to touch her daughter again, but she let it fall to her side. can help you pack your things," she offered softly, "you and Tessa. We can go back home together. You don't have to face this alone."

Karen sneered, shaking her head. "I'm not going anywhere with you," she spat. "Why would I?" "Where will you go then?" Rita asked, her voice full of concern. "I can see the Millers are serious about kicking you and Tessa out."

"I don't need you, mother. Besides, I still have some millions from Dad's inheritance. I can buy myself a house if I want. Maybe I'll even stay with Henry." Her lips curled into a cold smile, as though that would hurt her mother.

Rita's brow furrowed in confusion. "When you had Henry, then why did you deceive Kris?"

Karen snorted, her tone dripping with disdain. "I never loved Henry, Mom. It's always been Kris. I've only ever loved him. But Henry... he gave me the attention I deserved. He made me feel wanted and worthy."

Rita's heart ached at the casual cruelty in Karen's voice. There was no remorse, no hint of regret for the damage she had caused.

"Karen..." Rita whispered, her voice filled with sorrow.

Karen waved her hand dismissively. "What are you still standing here for? Just leave already."

Rita stood still for a moment, searching her daughter's face for any sign of the little girl she once held in her arms. But there was nothing-just a wall of anger and resentment.

"Can I at least see Tessa?" she asked quietly.

Karen's face hardened even more.

"No," she said, her voice deliberately cruel. "Did you forget what I told you would happen if you betrayed me? From now on, you're dead to me. And to Tessa. I don't want anything to do with you. Ever again.

Rita's breath caught in her throat, the words hitting her like a punch. She blinked back tears, her heart breaking all over again. "Karen..." she began, but she knew there was nothing more to say.

With a heavy heart, she turned and walked slowly out of the room, her shoulders sagging from the pain she was feeling.