Chapter 149: Scheming Kennedy
Theo shot to his feet, his protective instinct flaring as he glared at the woman standing in the doorway.
"I told you... stay away from Daisy," he snapped, his voice tight with anger. "What are you doing here?"
Jasmine tilted her head, a forced pout on her lips, trying to look innocent. "I just heard about... everything that’s been happening to my daughter. Is it wrong for me to visit her?"
Theo’s jaw tightened. He recalled the money he’d given her to stay away, to move out of the city and yet here she was, defying him, showing not a shred of guilt for breaking her promise.
Jasmine stepped into the room as if she owned it, ignoring Theo’s sharp glare. Her eyes flicked to Daisy, softening just enough to look concerned.
"Daisy... are you okay?" she asked, her tone laced with false worry. "I heard you were in the hospital. Everything... is everything alright?"
Daisy’s eyes narrowed slightly, sensing the emptiness behind the words. She shifted back against the pillows, her hand instinctively brushing the blanket closer around her.
Theo’s hands curled into fists at his sides, muscles tense. He kept his voice steady but sharp, cutting through Jasmine’s feigned concern.
"She’s fine. And you? You’ve already made your choices. Leave, she needs to rest." He was already moving towards Jasmine, ready to drag her out when suddenly she raised her voice.
"How is she fine?! Look at her face, pale, too skinny! When she was with me, she looked better! I don’t think Daisy should stay with you anymore, I will take her back..."
Theo froze mid-step, his jaw tightening as his eyes blazed with fury. "Back? Back to where? Back to the same neglect and lies you’ve given her all her life?!" His voice rose, sharp enough to echo through the room.
Jasmine’s face twisted in faux indignation. "Neglect? Lies? I gave her everything! She’s my daughter, Theo, she deserves—"
"Deserves to be safe and cared for, yes," Theo cut in, his tone cold and unyielding. "Not manipulated, not used, not treated like a pawn. And that does not include you. You’re done interfering, Jasmine."
Daisy’s fingers tightened around the blanket, her voice weak but firm. "Stop, both of you are too loud. It gives me a headache..."
Jasmine’s eyes flicked to her daughter, her expression faltering for the briefest second. Theo seized the moment, stepping closer, his presence both protective and unyielding.
"I mean it," he said, voice low but lethal. "You leave now, or I will make sure you do. She is my wife, and I’ll make damn sure she’s safe—"
"Hah!" Jasmine cut him off with a sharp, mocking laugh. "Did I hear that right? Safe?" Her voice dripped with venom, every word meant to wound. "You think you can keep her safe? Even when you pushed me away, I still checked on her. I made sure I knew what was happening in her life because deep down I knew..." she jabbed a finger toward Daisy, "this would happen. I knew she’d end up hurt."
Her eyes narrowed, a sneer curling her lips. "And look at her now. Pale, weak, lying in a hospital bed. Safe? Don’t make me laugh, Theo. You are the danger."
Daisy’s breath hitched, and she gripped the blanket tighter, her knuckles turning white. "Mom, stop..." she whispered, but Jasmine plowed on, her voice rising.
"You parade around like some hero, pretending you’re her shield, but all I see is she’s getting hurt..."
Theo suddenly went quiet. His stare remained locked on Jasmine, hard and unflinching, but then his gaze drifted toward Daisy on the bed. Her pale face, the trembling in her hands, the way her eyes shimmered with unshed tears—those hit him harder than Jasmine’s accusations ever could.
For a long moment, he said nothing, the weight of his silence heavier than any words. Then, slowly, his shoulders eased, his clenched fists loosening at his sides.
"Daisy..." he murmured, his voice low, almost pained. "Is that—"
"Stop, don’t get provoked by her words..." Daisy cut in firmly, her voice trembling but resolute. She turned sharply, fixing her mother with a hard stare. "And you, Mom..." she snapped, her tone carrying years of hurt and the bitter clarity of someone who knew her mother too well. "What is it this time? What do you want?"
Jasmine blinked, taken aback by the sharpness in her daughter’s voice. For a moment, her act faltered, her lips parting as if to answer but no sound came. Then, she lifted her chin, forcing composure back onto her face. "W–what do you mean? I came here because I’m truly concerned about you..."
"Stop the act." Daisy’s voice cracked, but her eyes stayed fierce. "I’ve been your daughter for twenty-five years. Do you really think I can’t see through you? I know exactly what’s behind this sudden ’concern,’ Mom."
Jasmine’s face stiffened, her pout gone, her mask thinning under Daisy’s unflinching stare.
"Daisy... sweetheart, why are you saying things like that?" Her voice softened, layered with feigned hurt. "I’m your mother. Of course I worry about you. Seeing you here, pale and weak... it breaks my heart. Can’t I show concern without being accused of something?"
Theo’s jaw tightened, his body coiled like a spring, but Daisy raised her hand subtly, stopping him before he could speak. Her eyes stayed locked on Jasmine, searching, sharp, unyielding.
"Concern?" Daisy’s tone dripped with disbelief, but she didn’t push further. She wanted to see how long her mother would keep up the act.
Jasmine, sensing the suspicion but unwilling to yield, dabbed the corner of her eye as though to wipe away a tear. "You’ve always been so harsh with me... but no matter what you think, I still love you. That’s why I’m here."
Daisy’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Your concern and love always come with a price. So cut the act short and just tell me what it is this time. Because I don’t plan to sit here and watch another one of your bad soap dramas."
"Is it so wrong for a mother to meet her daughter?"
The sharp voice didn’t come from Jasmine. It cut through the room from the doorway.
All eyes shifted as an old man stepped in, leaning heavily on a cane. Daisy’s frown deepened instantly, her stomach knotting. Of all people, he was the one she never wished to see again, yet here he was, standing before her.