She had wondered more than once what life would be like if her mother were still alive. She would exchange anything with her mother's life if she could.

She had hardly tasted the sweetness of a mother's love. They said a father's love was like the mountain, powerful and stable. It was nothing like that in Nathalia's case. She had suffered so much, fought so many battles to stay alive.

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Yet, this had become the weapon for others to use to attack her! It was the cruelest.

Noticing the change on Nathalia's face, Kelly realized she'd struck at the right spot and encouraged, she went on, "You don't even deserve love from your parents. You were born a nobody..."

The hurt look on Nathalia's face was like fuel adding to the fire in Kelly. She went on mercilessly, completely oblivious to the reaction of others.

Curt looked sullen. His eyes narrowed as he listened.

The pain of the old wound was so intense that Nathalia wasn't able to reach for some time. Her mind was occupied with the thoughts of the death of her mother and the cruelty of her father.

Kelly took advantage of this rare opportunity and went on shouting out the worst insults she could think of. Slap! All of a sudden, a thundering sound of slap filled the room.

Kelly went quiet. She stared at Mrs. Davidson in utter shock. Her face felt burning. She had never ever thought that Mrs. Davidson would ever slap her. And, she wouldn't dare to do anything about it!

Mrs. Davidson was furious. What an evil woman!

"Now I know what the Berry daughters are like. So you have a family and the PRECIOUS love from your parents. Huh, what has that turned you into? An evil bully! Nathalia is going to be my daughter-in-law, the authentic Mrs. Davidson. Who's a nobody here? You! All of you, the Berry, nobody!" She exclaimed angrily. She would love to slap her a few more times. As a mother, she understood how much Kelly's words hurt Nathalia.

It was the first time she had seen Nathalia so fragile and upset, the usually proud and strong Nathalia she knew.

Everyone had a past, a wound that was hidden from others. It was so deep and painful that one tended to avoid touching it. However strong one might seem, there was a sensitive and defenseless self.

Mrs. Davidson was used to seeing Nathalia being tough and strong. Now seeing the fragile self of her, she felt saddened. She saw the usual proud, brave girl hurt and having her wounds unveiled. She could feel her pain.

She wanted to protect her, completely forgetting how she was trying to persuade her to leave her son earlier.

She felt so much anger towards the Berry family that she wanted to curse and swear, but her mannerism didn't allow her. No mean words came out. She simply felt immense disdain towards them.

Kerry had never seen Mrs. Davidson so furious. She was so frightened and shocked that she was in tears. "Why? Why are you being so unfair to us?"

Amy decided to join her sister and started crying, "This is so unfair. Why do you treat us like this?" She exclaimed exaggeratedly while taking a glance at Matt and Curt to see their reaction. They didn't look pleased with all, which pleased Amy. Huh, now Mr. Davidson will think badly of Nathalia Carter, even Mrs. Davidson, and Spencer. When I get married into the Davidsons, I will be the MISTRESS.

The Berry sisters cried pathetically while Mrs. Berry comforted. The whole family acted like they had been treated terribly unjustly. 

Mrs. Davidson found them pathetically disgusting. "Alright, alright. Stop pretending. You look pathetic. It makes me sick. All of you are good at is acting, pretending, begging for sympathy. What do you girls do every day, huh? Shopping, spending your parents' money, killing time. You are nothing compared to Nathalia, who is independent, ambitious, and works hard. My Spencer knows who the best girl is. Hahaha."

Mrs. Davidson put her arm around Nathalia's shoulder, giving her support and comfort. The warmth of her touch filled Nathalia's heart, and she started to feel better. She was rather surprised by Mrs. Davidson's reaction, looking at her, amazed and touched.

She didn't think Mrs. Davidson liked her much, yet at the time when she needed to support the most, Mrs. Davidson was there to protect her. Perhaps it was because of Spencer, or perhaps it was out of sympathy, yet either way, Nathalia was touched and grateful.

Naturally, she rested her head on Mrs. Davidson's shoulder, like a cute kitty cat, she teased, "You are making me feel proud now, Mrs. Davidson."

"You have the right to be. Even though you don't have the help of your parents, you have the ability and talent to build a world of happiness and success. I believe in you." Mrs. Davidson felt a sudden tenderness and affection towards Nathalia. She said proudly as she stroked Nathalia's hair gently.

It brought tears to Nathalia's eyes. "I didn't know I'm so fond of you. How I wish I could have a mother like you." Nathalia said, a bit sentimentally. If mum were alive, she would have done the same thing for me, wouldn't she? Perhaps this is what they call the love of a mother?

There was regret, sadness, and helplessness in her tone, which touched Mrs. Davidson's heart, the heart of a mother. Poor kid. She's never had a love of her mother, the protection of her parents. She's been depending on her own. She must have suffered a lot.

"I would love to be your mother, Nathalia. You can call me mum from now on if you'd like." She replied gently.

"Really?" Nathalia's face lit up, her eyes filled with excitement. She felt a sudden sense of fear and hope, which she didn't know she had.

Mrs. Davidson's heart ached. With tears in her eyes, she nodded, "Really."

Nathalia's lips shivered for a little while. She tried to speak, yet there was only silence. She was too emotional. After a while, finally, the word "Mum" came out. It sounded soft, uncertain, yet affectionate.

Tears ran down Mrs. Davidson's cheeks instantly. "Yes. My good girl." She had remembered how strong and proud Nathalia had been as if nothing could scare her or defeat her. Yet, the way she called her 'mum' sounded so fragile, so in need of love and protection. It made her want to comfort her, assure her that everything was ok.

"Mum, Mum, Mum," Nathalia called the name a few more times. It was a new word to her, strangely, and she loved it. She had called this name when alone in the dark for so many times, yet there was never a reply. The feeling of loss and pain haunted her. It felt empty.

This time, finally, there was a response. Mrs. Davidson embraced her in her arms and stroked her hair tenderly as she replied, "Yes, yes, my girl, mum's here. It's ok. It's ok."