Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 1287

Only after Murray had left did Zoey, leaning against the wall, weakly close the door behind her.

Every inch of her ached, and Murray's tantrum had only worn her out more.

Blinking away the sting in her eyes, she was grateful it was a Saturday and she didn't have to work.

She was about to collapse back into bed when her cell phone rang. It was her mother, the only family she had left.

Zoey's heart trembled. Her fingertips began to shake.

It took her several tries to answer the call.

"Mom," she said.

"Zoey, are you free tonight? I'd like to see you. There's something I need to discuss with you."

This was the first time Belinda had asked to meet. Zoey was taken aback.

Back when her parents were still together, Zoey had found comfort from her father. But after the divorce, when she was given to her mother, she never felt that warmth again.

Every time she sent money back home, Belinda's tone softened, and Zoey clung to it, even though she knew it was unhealthy.

It had become a habit, sending money home. Hearing words of concern from her mother's mouth filled her with warmth.

"Okay, Mom. Send me the address."

Belinda sent her the location, knowing she would come.

Zoey looked at the address and crashed in her hotel room until afternoon.

It was autumn now, so she wrapped a scarf around her neck before meeting her mother.

They were meeting at a noodle shop. Belinda wasn't willing to treat Zoey to anything too expensive.

Belinda was living comfortably off the money Zoey sent home. She was wearing a satin dress, looking smooth and comfortable.

Upon seeing the scarf around Zoey's neck, Belinda turned solemn.

Once they had sat down, she yanked off the scarf to reveal the patchy marks underneath and slapped Zoey across the face.

"How can you have so little self-respect? You were always like this at home, flirting with men. Now you're selling yourself? If Murray hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known how far you've fallen!"

Zoey's head jerked to the side from the force of the slap, the corner of her mouth bloody.

Belinda's slap had been fierce, full force, and her ring had scraped Zoey's cheek raw.

Zoey was at a loss for words, only licking her lips instinctively, trying to lick away the blood.

But Belinda reached for her again, trying to rip off her clothes in front of everyone.

"Mom!" Zoey cried, clutching her clothes tightly.

Zoey felt extremely uncomfortable hearing those words.

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, especially with everyone in the shop watching. She pushed her hood down further.

"Mom, I need to go."

She stood up to leave, and Belinda didn't stop her.

"Just remember to remove Murray from your blacklist. He's actually been pretty good to you, and you've known each other for so long. He was with you for seven years before he found another woman. That's a lot better than most men."

Zoey knew what Belinda was thinking. She was just afraid that Zoey would come home and steal her boyfriend.

Every time Zoey mentioned coming home, Belinda would blow up.

As Zoey reached the door, she heard Belinda haggling with the shop owner.

"Take off one bowl of noodles. We don't want it."

"But we've already started making it, and now you don't want it?"

"We can't finish it. If we don't want it, we won't take it. We'll only pay for one bowl. Figure it out."

The shop owner grumbled and cursed, but had no choice.