Breaking Free, Loving Again -The Flash Marriage with Mr. CEO-Chapter 382: Realize it before it’s too late.

Beca didn't need to ask to know that Catrin was behind it all.

Her words came firm and confident, as if Catrin's acceptance to confirm her assumption was unnecessary.

Yes —assumption.

Zenith didn't know it all. All she knew was that recently, Catrin Quinn has been calling Ryan a lot, many times than necessary.

And that was all Beca needed to know to understand the whole picture she had been suspecting.

After all, as Catrin said, they hadn't known each other for a day or two. Their friendship goes more than three decades back. Although there were a few things she didn't know about Catrin, there were also many things she knew about Catrin.

And one of such things about her was …

Her stubbornness.

Catrin was too stubborn —so much so that she would rather destroy everything she had built, everything she loved, than let go of her pride.

"Beca, what are you talking about?" Catrin spoke as if she couldn't understand what her friend was talking about. "What manipulation? And why would I manipulate Ryan?"

Beca stared at her like she could see through her pretense easily. "Catrin, you know well what I am talking about. There is no need to act like you can't understand what I am talking about."

Under the table, Catrin's fists clenched, but she didn't let it show on her face.

Hurt and disappointment flashed on her face as she slowly asked, "You are doubting me, Beca. Ryan might be the son you birthed, but I never took him any less than Arwen. Or you can say that I treated him better than Arwen. How can you even think that I would do something that will put him at a disadvantage?"

"I don't doubt that you treated Ryan any less than Arwen, Catrin," Beca admitted. "But I surely doubt that you treated Arwen even slightest good."

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Catrin frowned. "What do you mean?"

Beca didn't want to go back to the old lane. Arwen and Catrin's relationship were theirs to care for, she wouldn't intervene or teach Catrin how to treat one's own kid. That wasn't her job, nor did she had come there for that.

Hence taking a deep breath, she simply got down to business she was there for. "I don't want to explain anything at the moment, Catrin. I just asked you here today to tell you to stop manipulating Ryan. Arwen and Ryan no longer have a future together. So, it would be only good if he realizes it sooner."

With that, she was ready to put an end to the topic, but it was like Catrin wasn't satisfied at all.

Soon, after she heard Beca say that, she scoffed to question, "Is it that they don't have a future, or is it you who doesn't want to see them together in the future?"

Her question immediately made Beca's brows knit together. Glancing at Catrin, she asked, "What did you say?"

Catrin's gaze turned cold slowly before turning completely hostile. "I thought you treated Arwen like your own. But now it seems I was wrong."

"I don't need you to tell me if I treated her like my own or not." Beca didn't expect Catrin to question her relationship with Arwen. "I know it very well. As for whether I want Ryan and Arwen together or not … let me give you an answer today."

"Arwen is the only one who gets to decide it," she said, her words as firm as the resolve that Catrin could see in her eyes. "Even before I said it to you, I will be more than happy to accept her as my daughter-in-law. Unfortunately, my son lost his chance with her, and he deserves all the sufferings because he didn't treat her right when he should have. So, it's only better if he repents now."

When Catrin heard her, she immediately said, "He is already regretting it, Beca. Ryan has realized what he has lost. He has already realized his feelings for Arwen. And now that he did, he wouldn't treat Arwen badly. So, isn't it only right if we bring them back together? After all, in the end, they belong to each other."

Beca didn't know what she should say. If Arwen had been her daughter and a man had dared to treat her daughter the way Ryan had done, she would have divided the world in two if that would have taken to make sure they didn't cross paths again.

However, Catrin was doing all that was possible to bring the two together …

Shaking her head at her mulishness, she said, "You are acting on your stubbornness, Catrin. Can you for once let it go and see what you are truly doing to yourself and the people around you?"

Catrin seemed unmoved.

In the end, Beca could only sigh. "I am not going to lecture you, Catrin, for I know it would be of no use." She exhaled deeply, continuing, "I would just leave you today saying that Ryan and Arwen aren't suitable for each other. Arwen has found her happiness. If you can't accept it, at least don't try to destroy it. You are her mother, not her enemy —realize it before it's too late."

With that, she stood up to leave. "And one thing more," she paused and turned back to add, "I was serious when I asked you to stop manipulating Ryan from here on. I don't know what you did to make him believe there is still a chance for him, nor will I ask you. But I will warn you. Don't make me sever something that I hold precious."

Friendships are not a joke.

Not one that spanned decades.

But every friendship had limits.

Catrin's lips parted slightly. "Are you now threatening me with our friendship now?" She hadn't expected it from Beca.

Beca let out a small smile before shaking her head. "I am not threatening you, Catrin," her voice softened a little. "I am stating what I am feeling like recently."

And after that, she didn't stay. Turning, she left, leaving Catrin alone in the room.