Chapter 15
Carole was the epitome of a devoted mother. Unfortunately, Rebecca was far from a grateful daughter.
Beyond forcing Carole to sell her blood, Rebecca committed a series of selfish acts.
Not too long ago, she’d even gone as far as suggesting that Carole sell a kidney to cover a house down payment.
If the Morris family hadn’t shown up out of the blue, Carole might have gone through with it.
Rebecca’s behavior worsened afterward.
She spread nasty rumors that Carole was a home–wrecker who skulked in the shadows and even had the gall to accuse her of a child–swap conspiracy, disregarding the years of love and care Carole had provided.
Nanson couldn’t fathom how the kind–hearted Carole could have given birth to someone as self–centered as Rebecca until the Morris family came to their door. It was only then that he had his epiphany.
Rebecca wasn’t Carole’s biological daughter.
The revelation that the child she’d raised was not her hit Carole like a ton of bricks. She was devastated to learn that her daughter, whom she had loved and nurtured for eighteen years. did not share her blood.
The daughter she’d raised turned her back on her to reunite with her biological family, and her birth daughter wanted nothing to do with her, even refusing to acknowledge her.
Carole felt like her steadfast dedication all the years had turned into a cruel joke. She had even contemplated suicide, but thankfully, Anthea returned.
While scribbling down a prescription, Anthea said, “Mom, I’ll come with you to quit from the rotisserie.”
To make ends meet, Carole had been working at a rotisserie.
“Quit?” Carole was stunned. “How can that be an option?”
The rotisserie didn’t pay much, but it helped put food on the table!
Without a job, how could they make a living?
Anthea put down her pen after finishing the prescription. “Mom, you can’t keep working with your health like this! Otherwise, the consequences could be dire, even life–threatening.”
Hearing that, Nanson jumped in, alarmed, “Carole, you’ve got to listen to Ann! Nothing is more important than your health!”
Since Anthea had accurately determined that Carole sold her blood, Nanson had faith in her
Chapter 15
medical judgment.
“You guys are making a fuss. I’ve always been like this. What could go wrong?” Carole said. feigning indifference.
Anthea continued, “Mom, you don’t have to worry if the money kept you from quitting. I
borrowed a thousand dollars from a classmate yesterday and plan to invest it in mutual funds and financial products.”
The fact was that she had earned the money on the gambling table, but she didn’t dare tell Carole, who disapproved of gambling, so she lied.
Nanson quickly took out all the money from his wallet, “Carole, this is my paycheck and bonus from yesterday. I’ll give you my wages every month from now on.”
“I can’t take your money,” Carole refused.
Nanson insisted, “Carole, we’re family. I only want you to be fine.”
Carole smiled. “My health is fine.”
Being a sister and a mother, Carole couldn’t bear the thought of doing nothing and living off her child and brother while feeling under the weather.
Anthea looked at her mother. “Mom, we’ve just found each other. I don’t want to lose you over money matters. It’s better to face a painful truth momentarily than suffer for a long time. If you insist on working, I’ll leave this house right now and act as if I never had a mother to spare myself the pain later.”
With that, Anthea turned and walked away without hesitation.
“Ann, wait!” Nanson quickly grabbed Anthea and turned to Carole. “Carole, say something. please!”
Carole hesitated, then said, “Ann, I promise you, I, I’ll quit my job.”
“Good,” Anthea smiled faintly, taking Carole’s hand. “Let’s go then, Mom.”
As the mother–daughter duo walked through the long corridor of the basement, many greeted Carole. “Carole, heading out?”
Carole introduced them to Anthea, “Ann, this is Mrs. Green, and this is Mary.”
Anthea greeted everyone politely.
“Carole, is this young lady your niece?”
Carole replied with a smile. “Mary, this is my daughter, Anthea.”
“Well, bless you! She’s stunning. Carole, you’ve got a fortune of happiness ahead of you!”
After they left, whispers filled the air, a mixture of taunt and curiosity.
