Chapter 79

Amelia said to Mrs. Bennett, a bit frustrated, "James barely has the patience to talk to me now. I don’t think he even wants to be near me anymore." Mrs. Bennett sighed, sharing the same worry. James wasn’t just impatient with Amelia—he was starting to lose his temper with her too. Boy wouldn’t even listen to her like he used to. Ever since Mr. Bennett passed, Mrs. Bennett had poured all her attention into her son, doting on him so much it almost wasn’t normal. James knew his mom loved him, and understood why she always pushed him to be perfect. He didn’t agree with her on most things, but usually just let it slide. That only made Mrs. Bennett get more controlling. When Maria suddenly vanished five years ago, James searched all over North City but came up empty. And just when he was at his lowest, his mom kept pressuring him to marry Amelia. She coolly told him Maria could be dead, and it wouldn't matter. He was crushed. For the first time, he snapped back at her, accusing them both of