Chapter 31 I WILL PROTECT HER

"Wow, look who's here?" The woman's voice was full of sarcasm." My daughter with a man." She shook her head.

Mary Ann is still in shock. She couldn't say a word.

"Is this your job now? To sleep in a different house and a man's house for that matter?"

John frowned,

Mary Ann's body froze. She couldn't believe what she just heard from her mother. Why can she say those kinds of words to her?

"Lorraine!" Her grandmother raised her voice. "What are you talking about? Your daughter is no longer a kid. She is an obedient child."

"Obedient, mom? How can you say that she's obedient? I asked her only one thing and that is just to study hard and finish her studies but what has she done?" her mother said as she looked at her sharply. "She flirted and got herself pregnant at a very young age and now after she lost her child, without thinking, she totally abandoned her studies," Lorraine uttered, full of anger towards her.

"Look who's talking?" Her grandma said sarcastically, " Haven't you done the same? You got pregnant while you were studying and if only we hadn't persuaded you to go and continue your study while we take care of the child, do you think you are in your position right now?" Grandma raised her voice again and Mary Ann was startled. She never saw or heard her grandmother shout at anyone. Never in her whole life since she was young. Only today and it's the very first time she has witnessed her screen in anger.

"That's exactly my point to her. Not to make the same mistake that I have done before but she did it anyway and the worse part is, she became stubborn and chose to stop her studies." Lorraine answered back.

The room is full of intensity. Mary Ann was speechless. She doesn't know how to react. John was just quietly listening to her mother and grandmother.

Her grandmother turned to John, "I am sorry, John. You have to witness this kind of scene. You have to see what kind of family we have." Her grandma said to him in an apologetic tone." Could you do me a favor? Take Mary Ann inside her room and look after her?" She added

Her mom's eyes rage in fire.

"Why do they need to go inside? Why don't you let them say here so this man will know how disobedient your granddaughter is? So, he will know what kind of woman he is having a relationship with? He must know what kind of past this woman has so he knows if he will accept her hard-headed girlfriend or not." Her mom continued," If he truly loves her after learning the truth about his girlfriend. The truth is that she gave birth at a very young age without knowing who the father is." Her voice is full of sarcasm.

"Lorraine, stop it. How can you talk about your daughter like that? It is as if she's another person and she didn't come inside you. If you are angry and disappointed in her father, don't vent your anger to Mary Ann. She doesn't have any fault for what happened to you. She is just a fruit of what both of you did in the first place."

Lorraine was stunned," Since you gave birth to Mary Ann. I and your dad are the ones who took care of her. Don't you think we don't know that you are trying to get rid of her? That you plan to abort your own child? So, for your information, the medicine that you tried to drink to remove her, we have changed it to vitamins. Your father knows you so well that he was able to find out about your plan at that time."

Lorraine couldn't say a word. Her face turned white.

Mary Ann's eyes widened. Her grandmother didn't say a word to her about what her mother planned to do with her when she was pregnant.

Now, she understands why her mom chooses to work away from them. And now, she also clearly understands why her grandmother gave all the love that she could ever have. Her grandmother did everything in her capability to protect her from anything even if the old woman hadn't seen her yet.

"Now, tell me. Who is the better mother between the two of you? At a very young age she tried to protect your reputation and leave the place where she grew up and at the same time, she did her best to take care of her own daughter. Or you? Who tried to get rid and tried her best to abandon her own daughter, now, tell me?" Her grandmother continues to question her mom. Both of them have a point and she clearly understands. Her mom made a mistake and she made a mistake. But is it really hard for them to forgive each other and move on?

"I know, I have done that but without all the hardship and sacrifices I made, she is still like that. I tried to give her everything. I went abroad so I can provide everything that she needs. I went there so I could give her a proper education but what did she do? Tell me, who is disobedient now? Your granddaughter or me?" Her mother said still in a loud voice. She doesn't have any plan to succumb. Her mother's heart seems to be turned into a stone.

How about you?" She turned to John," How well do you know this woman? What do you know about her?" She asked.

John just looked at her mother. But Mary Ann could see how the man clenched his fist.

"How much do you love her? I hated one thing about her, she didn't pursue her studies. Now, tell me, how much do you love this daughter of mine?" She was furious looking at the two standing at the door.

John let out a sigh. He couldn't hold it much longer," I love her so much that I won't let anyone look down at her. If your anger will only go away if she finishes her studies then I can send her back to school and then once she is finished, that's the only time we can get married. I can wait for it. Just for you to accept the love we have for each other. I promise to send her back to school so she can finish the dream you have for her." John replied in a calm voice. John made a promise to her mom which surprised her.

Is this how much John loves her? That he is ready to face everything with her, even her mother's anger?

"John," Mary Ann uttered and looked at him. Her eyes are misty. She fought so hard for her tears not to fall down. She doesn't want her mom to see her crying.

"Don't worry babe. It's my promise to you. I won't let anyone look down on you. If this is the way that your mother will be happy then let's give it to her. I can understand her frustration. You can still finish your studies even if you have a boyfriend. Don't worry, I will be the one sending you to school." She could see the sincerity in his eyes. Mary Ann couldn't be prouder to have a boyfriend like John.

She couldn't help it anymore. Her tears finally flow down her cheeks. Since yesterday, she hasn't done anything but cry. She keeps crying because of how quickly things happened and a lot of revelations happened. What more to be revealed? But, she must admit, she didn't know how to take all this in if she doesn't have John beside her. This time, someone is on her side and standing and ready to defend her.

Her mother shrugged. "If that's what you think you could do then okay. Let's see how strong your relationship is. How long you can keep your word in sending her to school and let her finish her studies." Lorraine's voice is still full of sarcasm. She left the house without saying any word. She just passed by the two of them who were standing next to the door. They stepped aside when they saw her walking out to leave the place.

John and Mary quickly walked to their grandmother. The old woman opened her arms and waited for her grandchildren to embrace her. The two lovingly hugged her.

The old woman is misty-eyed," John, please take good care of Mary Ann. I believe in you and I know that you will be keeping your promise." She said and patted John's back as the man hugged her.

John answers," Yes, grandma, don't worry. I will keep my promise to you and to everyone, especially to Mary Ann's mother. I will do my best to protect her and take good care of her."