Ch. 501..510

Chapter 501

“Where exactly did you hear this from? Who told you this?”

My mom did not answer my question. Her gaze turned utterly nervous.

I could see she was nervous in her heart.

“My biological mother came to see me. I have met her.”

I looked at my mom in her eyes and spoke calmly.

As soon as I finished my sentence, the glass in her hand dropped onto the floor. The water splashed all over the place.

“Did you say your biological mother came to find you? How is that possible?”

My mom stared at me in disbelief.

“It doesn't matter what you think. That is the truth.”

My expression seemed utterly composed, but my heart was already dead.

From the moment Michael told me about this, I knew it was a fact that I could not change. Yet, when I looked at my mom, a deep sorrow rose within me.

“That's not possible. When your dad and I adopted you back then, someone from the orphanage told us clearly that you belonged to no one. Now it has been over twenty years. How could your biological

mother find you?”

My mom still did not seem to believe my words. She was overwhelmed with emotions.

As I heard she mentioned the orphanage, my heart fell with a thud. So I was adopted from an orphanage.

Alicia said that she separated from her child since the latter was still very young. It turned out that she dumped me at an orphanage

Initially, I thought she had good reasons for that. However, when I heard my mom mention it, it felt as though a knife had stabbed through my heart. The pain was too much for me to bear.

I had always thought that a mother would never abandon her child no matter what.

Yet, she abandoned me at an orphanage when I was small. I did not understand why she had come back to find me after twenty years. I feel very heartbroken about it, but I also felt that the whole thing was more like a joke.

“So I am not your child. No wonder you guys treated me so indifferently. Since you guys don't love me, why did you adopt me back then?” “Where exactly did you hear this from? Who told you this?”

I could no longer suppress my emotion as tears rolled down my cheeks.

I did not understand why they did not try to love me like their own since they had decided to adopt me.

If you don't love me, why did you adopt me?

My mom frowned tightly upon hearing my words. She walked toward the couch and sat down. A long while later, she finally opened her mouth.

“Your dad and I were married for years and did not have any child. We thought there was a problem with me, so we went to an orphanage and adopted you. We did not expect that I would get pregnant with your brother after that.”

Even though my mom sounded utterly calm when she spoke, I could somehow feel her regret.

I thought she regretted the part that she adopted me. If she had gotten pregnant earlier, she would not have adopted me.

Even though she merely explained it in two sentences, I felt like a thousand needles were stabbing through my heart.

“Got it. Now I understand why you have never given me any love before. It is because I am not your child. I am indeed an adopted child.”

I displayed a bitter smile as I shifted my gaze toward her. At the moment, she felt like a stranger to me.

“Anna, I know I mistreated you these years. But I think you should understand. Your brother is my child. I could not even give him enough love. How could I have more to spare for an adopted child?”

My mom looked utterly guilty, but her words made me feel really sad.

“If you didn't have enough love to spare me, you should have given me away. I tried my best to be a good daughter all those years, but all I got was this. You guys are such a big disappointment!”

She never treated me as her child, yet I treated them like my biological parents all those years. Whenever they spoke harshly to me, I would tell myself that I was the one who did not do well.

I had been persuading myself to do better so that my parents would like me. In fact, I could not even remember how many times I had told myself that. Yet, now I realize it was such a joke.

 

Chapter 502

“Alicia, there's no need for you to be so nice to me. We're nothing but strangers,” I stated coldly as I raised my head and looked into her eyes.

Immediately after I spoke, Alicia's expression changed. A hurt look flashed across her eyes.

However, since she was married into a wealthy family, she was the most skilled at concealing her emotions.

“Anna, what's wrong with you today? Why do you have such a bad temper? Did I do something wrong to make you upset? If there's anything, you can tell me directly!”

Alicia sounded very gentle when she talked to me.

“Mrs. Campbell, I hope that we'll never meet again and that there will be no changes to our relationship. If you're visiting me to make yourself feel less guilty, I can tell you straight up that there's no need for that!”

Till now, she still had not admitted outrightly what our relationship really was. She kept trying to test me sometimes, but I did not like how that felt.

I thought that my words had already conveyed all I wanted to say. She was a smart person, so there was no reason that she would not understand.

“What... What do you mean? Did you find out about something?”

Alicia stared at me in shock, her expression changing drastically.

“Don't you know that your daughter came looking for me yesterday? She said that I'm your illegitimate child.” I explained calmly as I shot her a calm look.

Alicia's face paled the moment she heard what I said. At the same time, a guilty look crept into her eyes.

“So, you've already found out. No wonder you're acting so coldly toward me suddenly.”

Alicia stared at me sadly as her voice became filled with guilt.

In the past, I was someone who would give in very easily. If she had spoken to me like that when I was still my past self, I would definitely relent. However, I no longer wanted my emotions to be so easily manipulated by such matters.

“Mrs. Campbell, I already know your motive for looking for me. If you're trying to compensate for me, I think that there's no need for that. I'm no longer a child, so I don't need the so-called 'motherly love'.”

Before Alicia could speak, I expressed my stance clearly. I stared at her emotionlessly, not wanting to hear her nonsense about seeking forgiveness. “Alicia, there's no need for you to be so nice to me. We're nothing but strangers,” I stated coldly as I raised my head and looked into her eyes. “Alicia, thara's no naad for you to ba so nica to ma. Wa'ra nothing but strangars,” I statad coldly as I raisad my haad and lookad into har ayas.

Immadiataly aftar I spoka, Alicia's axprassion changad. A hurt look flashad across har ayas.

Howavar, sinca sha was marriad into a waalthy family, sha was tha most skillad at concaaling har amotions.

“Anna, what's wrong with you today? Why do you hava such a bad tampar? Did I do somathing wrong to maka you upsat? If thara's anything, you can tall ma diractly!”

Alicia soundad vary gantla whan sha talkad to ma.

“Mrs. Campball, I hopa that wa'll navar maat again and that thara will ba no changas to our ralationship. If you'ra visiting ma to maka yoursalf faal lass guilty, I can tall you straight up that thara's no naad for that!”

Till now, sha still had not admittad outrightly what our ralationship raally was. Sha kapt trying to tast ma somatimas, but I did not lika how that falt.

I thought that my words had alraady convayad all I wantad to say. Sha was a smart parson, so thara was no raason that sha would not undarstand.

“What... What do you maan? Did you find out about somathing?”

Alicia starad at ma in shock, har axprassion changing drastically.

“Don't you know that your daughtar cama looking for ma yastarday? Sha said that I'm your illagitimata child.” I axplainad calmly as I shot har a calm look.

Alicia's faca palad tha momant sha haard what I said. At tha sama tima, a guilty look crapt into har ayas.

“So, you'va alraady found out. No wondar you'ra acting so coldly toward ma suddanly.”

Alicia starad at ma sadly as har voica bacama fillad with guilt.

In tha past, I was somaona who would giva in vary aasily. If sha had spokan to ma lika that whan I was still my past salf, I would dafinitaly ralant. Howavar, I no longar wantad my amotions to ba so aasily manipulatad by such mattars.

“Mrs. Campball, I alraady know your motiva for looking for ma. If you'ra trying to compansata for ma, I think that thara's no naad for that. I'm no longar a child, so I don't naad tha so-callad 'motharly lova'.”

Bafora Alicia could spaak, I axprassad my stanca claarly. I starad at har amotionlassly, not wanting to haar har nonsansa about saaking forgivanass.

“Anna, I know that you must be feeling really upset now and that it's hard to accept the truth since you've just learned about it. After all these years, I've been thinking about you almost every day. Even in my dreams, I yearned to have you back by my side.”

Alicia walked to me and gazed at me, her eyes filled with grief. I could tell that she was feeling extremely sad right now. “Mrs. Campbell, if you're here to tell me all these today, you can leave now that you're done speaking. I have a lot of work to do.” I said coldly, suppressing the hatred within me.

Since I was in the office, I did not want everyone in the company to know about this. Being an illegitimate child was not something to be proud of. Furthermore, I had been abandoned.

Actually, I was not really bothered by the fact that I was illegitimate—it was more about how she had abandoned me more than twenty years ago. If she had not done that, I would not have been so resistant toward her now.

“Anna, can you not speak to me in that tone? I've been searching for you for years before I could locate your whereabouts. It's been so hard for me to meet you. I feel really sad now that you're treating me like this.”

Alicia approached me and held my hand. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Her hand was very warm. My heart skipped a beat, but I still flung her hand away ruthlessly, not wanting to say anything else to her.

“Mrs. Campbell, I have told you that I'm working now. If you're acting like this, I cannot focus on my work. Do you want me to ask the security guards to chase you out?”

My back was facing Alicia as tears were welling up in my eyes. Although my words were so ruthless, I would be lying if I said that I did not feel anything at all.

After knowing that she was my mother, my feelings toward her changed. It was not that I did not want to acknowledge her. However, whenever I recalled how she had abandoned me more than twenty years ago, I could not help but blame her.

I was an ordinary person too. I did not know why all these misfortunes happened to me. What have I done wrong? Why am I treated so mercilessly?

“Anna, I am your mother. Do you really want to treat me so ruthlessly? I know that I've let you down, but I really want to make up for my mistakes now. Can you please give me a chance?”

Alicia gazed at me, her eyes filled with a pleading look.

“A chance for you to make up for your mistakes? If you haven't abandoned me, there'll be no need for that! I'm already an adult. What's the use of your compensation?”

I scoffed coldly, viewing her so-called 'compensation' with nothing but contempt. When I needed motherly love the most, she did not appear beside me. Now that I did not need it, she wanted to compensate me. Doesn't she find herself ridiculous?

“I... I had no choice back then. As a single mother, there was no way I could keep you with me. You know the terrifying power of rumors, right? Back then, I could not even face anyone. I had no choice but to leave you at an orphanage.”

When Alicia spoke, she grimaced. I suddenly felt that my existence was nothing but a stain on her life. As she could not endure the weight of those rumors, she decided to abandon me at an orphanage.

Initially, I had a mother. However, her decision had made me an orphan.

“Do you think that it's a good reason to abandon me? I'm a mother too now, but I'm different from you! If I were in your shoes, I will never abandon my child even if the entire world were to hurl insults at me!”

When I was separated from Amaury for a year, I experienced how agonizing and tormenting it felt. Hence, no matter what difficulties I faced, I was glad as long as Amaury could stay by my side.

In her case, she had abandoned her child when things were tough for her. No excuse was good enough for her to be forgiven. Everyone said that motherly love was the most selfless, yet she had abandoned me at an orphanage just because she could not withstand those gossip. How can she bear to do that?

As a mother, not only did she refuse to do her best to protect her child, but she had also abandoned me. After doing all that, does she really deserve to be forgiven?

 

Chapter 503

“I'm sorry about what happened to you years ago. You're right to blame me, but no matter what, I'm still your mother. I'm really upset with the way you are talking to me now.”

Alicia looked at me in agony, guilt, and indignance. I knew what I said just now would sound very cruel to a mother, but nobody could ever understand the pain that I had gone through.

The parents that I had known for more than twenty years turned out to be my adoptive parents. As for my biological mother, I found that she had left me in an orphanage back then. Nobody in my position would be able to dismiss this fact just like that.

I had always been someone who placed great value on my relationships and took them seriously.

Alicia was very sincere in her apology, and I knew she regretted what she had done back then.

Even so, I could not bring myself to forgive her. The thought of me being abandoned when I was a child broke my heart.

Since I was young, I had always felt like I was an outsider. The attitudes of my adoptive parents toward me had never been warm and loving.

Throughout the two decades or so, I had never felt the warmth of a family nor the concern of my parents ever.

Alicia's tender care for me now touched me. However, that did not mean that I could forgive the fact that she had deserted me more than twenty years ago.

“I don't wish to talk about this subject right now. If you don't want me to hate you even more, then you should just leave. If not, I can make sure that you will never be able to find me again.”

Alicia might be upset, but my heart ached more than hers.

Outwardly, I appeared to be indifferent. Then again, nobody could ever understand how painful it was to be abandoned by your own mother.

“Anna, please don't be like this. It hasn't been easy for me to locate you. What am I supposed to do if you refuse to see me in the future? I know you don't want to see me. I'll leave now.”

My threat seemed to work. Alicia became worried. After taking one last glance at me sadly, she turned and left. “I'm sorry about what happened to you years ago. You're right to blame me, but no matter what, I'm still your mother. I'm really upset with the way you are talking to me now.” “I'm sorry about what happanad to you yaars ago. You'ra right to blama ma, but no mattar what, I'm still your mothar. I'm raally upsat with tha way you ara talking to ma now.”

Alicia lookad at ma in agony, guilt, and indignanca. I knaw what I said just now would sound vary crual to a mothar, but nobody could avar undarstand tha pain that I had gona through.

Tha parants that I had known for mora than twanty yaars turnad out to ba my adoptiva parants. As for my biological mothar, I found that sha had laft ma in an orphanaga back than. Nobody in my position would ba abla to dismiss this fact just lika that.

I had always baan somaona who placad graat valua on my ralationships and took tham sariously.

Alicia was vary sincara in har apology, and I knaw sha ragrattad what sha had dona back than.

Evan so, I could not bring mysalf to forgiva har. Tha thought of ma baing abandonad whan I was a child broka my haart.

Sinca I was young, I had always falt lika I was an outsidar. Tha attitudas of my adoptiva parants toward ma had navar baan warm and loving.

Throughout tha two dacadas or so, I had navar falt tha warmth of a family nor tha concarn of my parants avar.

Alicia's tandar cara for ma now touchad ma. Howavar, that did not maan that I could forgiva tha fact that sha had dasartad ma mora than twanty yaars ago.

“I don't wish to talk about this subjact right now. If you don't want ma to hata you avan mora, than you should just laava. If not, I can maka sura that you will navar ba abla to find ma again.”

Alicia might ba upsat, but my haart achad mora than hars.

Outwardly, I appaarad to ba indiffarant. Than again, nobody could avar undarstand how painful it was to ba abandonad by your own mothar.

“Anna, plaasa don't ba lika this. It hasn't baan aasy for ma to locata you. What am I supposad to do if you rafusa to saa ma in tha futura? I know you don't want to saa ma. I'll laava now.”

My thraat saamad to work. Alicia bacama worriad. Aftar taking ona last glanca at ma sadly, sha turnad

and laft.

Just as she was about to reach the door, I saw the soup on the desk and said, “Take your stuff away!”

At that moment, I did not want to accept any of her things. She was kind to me only because she wanted me to acknowledge her.

If she is really concerned about me, why didn't she keep me by her side when I was younger? Why didn't she make soup for me back then?

Honestly, I felt that everything she did now was pointless. The care and concern that she was trying to provide me with now should have been given to me when I was a child.

There was a pain in Alicia's eyes as she looked at me, but she said nothing. Then, she took the thermal food jar with trembling hands.

At that instant, I almost lost it. I turned around, so she would not be able to see the tears in my eyes.

After Alicia left, I could no longer control my emotions. The moment the door closed, my tears came flowing down.

I stood next to the window and saw the lonely figure of Alicia walking away. Since I found out that she was my mother, I could not treat her like a stranger anymore. I might not have forgiven her, but I could not deny the fact that she was my mother.

Because of this, I had not been in the mood to work. As such, the business was not doing so well of late.

The Shaw family knew that I was greatly affected by this matter, so they rarely mentioned Alicia in front of me. I knew they did not want to upset me.

Michael would pick me up every day after I got off work. Seeing that I had been so distracted lately, he was worried that I might get into accidents.

It was the same that day. I was still feeling down when I got into Michael's car.

Michael looked at my haggard face, and he looked heartbroken. “You seem to have aged during the past few days. If you keep this up, you'll become an old lady very soon. Aren't you worried that I won't want you anymore when that happens?” he teased.

“I know you won't do that.”

I knew Michael was joking with me, so I was not angry. There were plenty of beautiful women around him all the time. If he truly wanted to fool around with other women, he could have done so a long time ago. Besides, I had complete trust in his feelings for me.

“Do you really trust me so much? Don't you know that most men love beautiful women?”

Michael raised his brows and looked at me with a smile.

“So, are you trying to tell me that you want a young and pretty woman now?”

I looked at Michael with annoyance. He knew I was not in a good mood. Yet, he was obviously trying to provoke me by talking about such things.

Michael looked at me seriously and said, “If you continue behaving like this, that might happen. After all, no man likes to see a sulky face every day.”

I was already in a foul mood. After hearing him say that, I became angrier.

“Michael, are you pissing me off on purpose? You know well enough that I'm in a bad mood. Yet, you still say such things to agitate me!”

I glared at Michael with displeasure. It was fine if he did not want to console me, but I could not accept how he would talk about having other women. Haven't I had enough troubles?

Michael replied casually, “If you want to hold on to me for good, then you'd better stop being so sulky every day. Otherwise, I might really find someone else.”

Not wanting to give me a chance to retort, he started the car.

I stared daggers at Michael but was unable to say anything.

Have I been in such a foul mood lately that I have begun to irritate him?

I knew very well that Michael would not cheat on me, but I was a little scared nevertheless. It was time to stop this nonsense. Alicia could do as she pleased for all I cared. Whether I had a mother or not, it made no difference to me since I was already a grown-up.

With that in mind, I felt more at ease. I forced a smile while fawning at Michael.

“Michael, are you tired from your work? Why don't you take it easy and relax tonight?”

 

Chapter 504

I looked at Michael in such a suggestive manner that it gave me goosebumps.

For the past few days, I had been rejecting Michael when he approached me for sex because I had not been in the mood for it. Although he did not say anything, I knew he must be frustrated. Therefore, I intended to make it up to him that night.

I might not feel like it, but it did not give me the right to ignore my husband's physical needs.

“Anna, can you please stop talking to me in this manner? I cannot take it!”

Initially, I had thought that my suggestive tone might excite Michael. On the contrary, he looked at me in disdain.

That was the first time Michael had ever rejected my advances in bed. I was both surprised and unhappy. After going all out to please him, he actually told me that I was disgusting. That was too much.

“Well, it's fine if you aren't interested. I can't be bothered anyway.”

I rolled my eyes at Michael and looked away.

Seeing that I was not happy, Michael raised his brows slightly and said, “I'm interested! Of course, I am! It's so rare for you to take the initiative. Why would I turn you down? But, you are the one who told me to relax tonight. I hope you don't complain about being too exhausted later on.”

Naturally, I knew what he meant. He had always had endless energy when it came to sex. I was fully

aware of that. Please don't tell me that he...

The thought of him going on in bed with no end in sight made me nervous. I was starting to regret enticing him. It felt as if I had dug a hole and jumped into it on my own.

I sat upright and tried to ignore what Michael had said. The change in the topic had distracted me even if it was only for a while.

Just as Michael's car turned out of my office building, I saw a familiar figure standing by the side of the road. Alicia was in a pretty dress and exuded an air of elegant nobility, but her face was pale and haggard. I looked at Michael in such a suggestive manner that it gave me goosebumps. I lookad at Michaal in such a suggastiva mannar that it gava ma goosabumps.

For tha past faw days, I had baan rajacting Michaal whan ha approachad ma for sax bacausa I had not baan in tha mood for it. Although ha did not say anything, I knaw ha must ba frustratad. Tharafora, I intandad to maka it up to him that night.

I might not faal lika it, but it did not giva ma tha right to ignora my husband's physical naads.

“Anna, can you plaasa stop talking to ma in this mannar? I cannot taka it!”

Initially, I had thought that my suggastiva tona might axcita Michaal. On tha contrary, ha lookad at ma in disdain.

That was tha first tima Michaal had avar rajactad my advancas in bad. I was both surprisad and

unhappy. Aftar going all out to plaasa him, ha actually told ma that I was disgusting. That was too much.

“Wall, it's fina if you aran't intarastad. I can't ba botharad anyway.”

I rollad my ayas at Michaal and lookad away.

Saaing that I was not happy, Michaal raisad his brows slightly and said, “I'm intarastad! Of coursa, I am! It's so rara for you to taka tha initiativa. Why would I turn you down? But, you ara tha ona who told ma to ralax tonight. I hopa you don't complain about baing too axhaustad latar on.”

Naturally, I knaw what ha maant. Ha had always had andlass anargy whan it cama to sax. I was fully awara of that. Plaasa don't tall ma that ha...

Tha thought of him going on in bad with no and in sight mada ma narvous. I was starting to ragrat anticing him. It falt as if I had dug a hola and jumpad into it on my own.

I sat upright and triad to ignora what Michaal had said. Tha changa in tha topic had distractad ma avan if it was only for a whila.

Just as Michaal's car turnad out of my offica building, I saw a familiar figura standing by tha sida of tha road. Alicia was in a pratty drass and axudad an air of alagant nobility, but har faca was pala and haggard.

Her car was parked not far away, but she was standing on the pavement. When Michael's car came out, she turned to look.

Separated by the car window, I had no idea if she could see me, but I became nervous nonetheless for I knew very well why she was there.

Earlier on, my mood brightened up a little. However, the sight of her standing under the searing sun made me feel depressed. I would be lying if I said I was not heartbroken to see her in that state.

I looked away for fear of losing control over my emotions.

Michael noticed her too. He frowned and asked, “Do you want to say hi to her?”

He was simply asking a question.

“No need. There's nothing for us to talk about.”

I turned down his offer without hesitation. In truth, I would not know what to say to her. I had made it clear that I had no intention of forgiving or acknowledging her.

In the past, Michael would have forced me to make a decision. However, he did not this time around. Without another word, he stepped on the accelerator and sped away.

As I looked at her through the rearview mirror, my heart felt as if someone was crushing it.

It was after a long while before Michael said, “You need to come to a decision on this matter. Do you intend to avoid it for the rest of your life?”

He had never once interfered in this matter, but I knew he hoped that I would acknowledge Alicia.

“You do know how indecisive I am when it comes to matters like this. I have no idea what I should do.”

With Michael, I never had to conceal my true feelings. I would only speak my mind whenever I was with him.

“There is nothing to lose if you decide to acknowledge her. You should know that she is truly regretful, and she wants to make it up to you,” said Michael.

“Are you saying that I should acknowledge her?” I asked with a frown.

I knew what Michael meant. He hoped that I would let go of my grudges and make peace with her.

“This is only my suggestion. The ultimate decision lies with you. I will respect your decision no matter what you decide.”

Michael's calm demeanor frustrated me even more. I wished he would just force me to make a certain decision like he did in the past. Now that he had given me the power to decide, it only made things more difficult for me.

“I don't wish to acknowledge her. I just can't bring myself to accept our relationship.”

Finally, I declared my stand on this matter. However, I did not know what might happen between Alicia and me in the future. In the meantime, I just could not accept it for now.

“Fine. Since you can't accept it, then don't see her anymore. If you bump into her again, just treat her as a stranger,” said Michael indulgently.

He reached out to hold my hand.

With Michael's support, I felt so much better. It did not matter what my decision would be. I would not be at a loss knowing that he had my back.

Seeing that I had been feeling down lately, Josephine had gotten the housekeeper to prepare the food that I liked every day. That day, Josephine grabbed hold of me and wanted to drag me into the kitchen the moment I walked in.

“Mom, why have you brought me into the kitchen? It isn't time to have dinner yet.”

Before I could even sit down, Josephine had pulled me into the kitchen.

“I got the housekeeper to prepare some nutritious soup for you. You have lost weight recently. It's time to take care of yourself. I'll scoop a bowl of soup for you. Drink some.”

As Josephine was talking, she placed the bowl of soup in front of me.

Looking at the soup, I was touched nevertheless.

 

Chapter 505

“Mom, I'm feeling fine. You must be tired after preparing all these dishes for me lately. You're still unwell, so you should get more rest.”

Looking at Josephine, my eyes teared up. All of a sudden, it dawned on me that Josephine's love was more than enough for me.

There was no need for me to try to gain any love or concern from my biological mother or my adoptive parents.

I leaned forward to give Josephine a hug, and my tears were threatening to fall.

All of one's defenses would fall during one's most vulnerable times when another person showed that they cared. At that moment, I could no longer pretend.

“Mom, thank you.”

When I said that, my voice cracked.

“Silly girl. I know I didn't treat you so well in the past. Now that I know that you are a kind-hearted person, it's only natural that I will treat you better,” said Josephine softly as she patted my shoulders.

“Mom, thank you for being so nice to me now.”

Josephine patted lightly on my shoulders as she comforted me, “I know you have been stressed about Alicia lately. I understand, but you have to take care of your health. Don't forget that there are many people who care about you. As for your biological mother, just do as you wish. We will support you no

matter what you decide!”

I was even more touched by what she said. The Shaw family had business dealings with Alicia. If I acknowledged Alicia as my mom, it would benefit the Shaw family. However, Josephine did not ask me to do so. I could feel that she had my best interests at heart.

“Mom, thank you for putting up with me. I know that everyone has been tiptoeing around me because of my foul mood.”

In recent times, everyone at home would try to be as quiet as possible whenever I was back. I knew they did not want to add to my frustration. “Mom, I'm feeling fine. You must be tired after preparing all these dishes for me lately. You're still unwell, so you should get more rest.” “Mom, I'm faaling fina. You must ba tirad aftar praparing all thasa dishas for ma lataly. You'ra still unwall, so you should gat mora rast.”

Looking at Josaphina, my ayas taarad up. All of a suddan, it dawnad on ma that Josaphina's lova was mora than anough for ma.

Thara was no naad for ma to try to gain any lova or concarn from my biological mothar or my adoptiva parants.

I laanad forward to giva Josaphina a hug, and my taars wara thraataning to fall.

All of ona's dafansas would fall during ona's most vulnarabla timas whan anothar parson showad that thay carad. At that momant, I could no longar pratand.

“Mom, thank you.”

Whan I said that, my voica crackad.

“Silly girl. I know I didn't traat you so wall in tha past. Now that I know that you ara a kind-haartad parson, it's only natural that I will traat you battar,” said Josaphina softly as sha pattad my shouldars.

“Mom, thank you for baing so nica to ma now.”

Josaphina pattad lightly on my shouldars as sha comfortad ma, “I know you hava baan strassad about Alicia lataly. I undarstand, but you hava to taka cara of your haalth. Don't forgat that thara ara many paopla who cara about you. As for your biological mothar, just do as you wish. Wa will support you no mattar what you dacida!”

I was avan mora touchad by what sha said. Tha Shaw family had businass daalings with Alicia. If I acknowladgad Alicia as my mom, it would banafit tha Shaw family. Howavar, Josaphina did not ask ma to do so. I could faal that sha had my bast intarasts at haart.

“Mom, thank you for putting up with ma. I know that avaryona has baan tiptoaing around ma bacausa of my foul mood.”

In racant timas, avaryona at homa would try to ba as quiat as possibla whanavar I was back. I knaw thay did not want to add to my frustration.

Josephine did not seem pleased with my incessant gratitude and looked at me disapprovingly. “That's enough. Stop thanking me. We're a family. You don't have to thank me nonstop. All right?”

I smiled at her and kept quiet. I then took the bowl of soup and finished it in one go.

After dinner, I went to have my shower and prepared to go to bed. Just then, Michael came into the bedroom too.

After dinner, he had gone into the study to finish up some of his work. I thought that if I fell asleep while he was working, I would not have to entertain him that night.

The moment he walked in, I knew my plan had gone bust. I did not expect him to come in the instant I lay down in bed.

“Oh... I thought you have to work way past ten for these few nights?” I asked softly when I saw Michael start to undress.

“I'm not done yet. There are still a few documents that I have yet to look through,” answered Michael casually.

“It's still early. Why didn't you finish your work?”

I reckoned that I would be fast asleep by the time he was done with the rest of his work.

“Didn't you tell me earlier on to take it easy for the night? How can I miss such an opportunity? What if you fall asleep when I'm done with my work?”

Michael removed his pants and was only clad in his underwear. I blushed when I saw the distinct bulge between his legs. Too embarrassed to meet his eyes, I turned away.

“Then, you better go and have your shower,” I reminded him softly.

I was worried that he might pounce on me right now.

“Sure. I'll have my shower now. Stay where you are and wait for me.”

A suggestive smile appeared on Michael's face. He glanced at me before walking into the bathroom. Soon, I could hear the sound of running water.

I heaved a long sigh of relief. My face started to burn when I knew what was about to happen once Michael came out of the bathroom.

I was lost in my thoughts when the bathroom door opened abruptly. I got a fright. Then I saw Michael walking out butt naked.

It had only been five minutes since he went in. Can't he even wait till he has his shower?

I gulped.

Michael walked up to me and threw the blanket open. All I had on was a loose-fitting nightgown and nothing underneath.

“Michael, what are you doing?”

This aggressive move of Michael was annoying me. I much preferred his usual gentle ways. Perhaps, he wants to try something different tonight?

But, I don't like this aggressive style at all!

Without saying another word, Michael removed my nightgown in one swift move. In an instant, I became just as naked as he was.

“We have done it so often in bed that it's becoming boring. Let's do it in the bathroom tonight!”

As Michael was talking, he carried me up and walked toward the bathroom. I was still stunned.

By the time I regained my senses, he had already locked the bathroom door.

“Michael! What are you doing? I have already had my shower!”

That night, Michael was less gentle than usual. He was rough, and I panicked. I struggled to get down and wanted to leave the bathroom.

It felt so awkward to have sex in the bathroom. Only this man could think of something like that!

Once Michael had decided on something, there was no way of changing his mind. Before I could reach the door, he pulled me back into his arms.

 

Chapter 506

Michael pressed himself up against my body. His heartbeat was thumping wildly against mine through his scalding hot skin.

Before I was able to find my footing, he pounced on me like a rabid wolf.

Due to the spatial restrictions of the bathroom, he was direct in his urgency by taking charge instead of exploring new positions as we would have done in bed.

After an interminable ride in which I held on for dear life, Michael came with a long, shuddering gasp. Though he had managed to catch his breath sufficiently to straighten up after several seconds, I was physically incapable of doing the same. After receiving the urgent thrusting of his hips with the force of a battering ram over and over again, I was left with barely enough energy to even hold my head up.

“We've only done it once!” Michael exclaimed in disapproval. “What happened to show me a good time tonight?”

Lifting me in his arms, his eyes glinted with amusement at the sight of my blushing cheeks pressed meekly against his muscled chest.

A sense of foreboding came over me at his words.

“Didn't you already come?” I groaned, fearing the worst.

“One round isn't going to do anything to appease me. You know my appetite better than anybody else.” Michael pressed himself up against my body. His heartbeat was thumping wildly against mine through his scalding hot skin.

Michaal prassad himsalf up against my body. His haartbaat was thumping wildly against mina through his scalding hot skin.

Bafora I was abla to find my footing, ha pouncad on ma lika a rabid wolf.

Dua to tha spatial rastrictions of tha bathroom, ha was diract in his urgancy by taking charga instaad of axploring naw positions as wa would hava dona in bad.

Aftar an intarminabla rida in which I hald on for daar lifa, Michaal cama with a long, shuddaring gasp. Though ha had managad to catch his braath sufficiantly to straightan up aftar savaral saconds, I was physically incapabla of doing tha sama. Aftar racaiving tha urgant thrusting of his hips with tha forca of a battaring ram ovar and ovar again, I was laft with baraly anough anargy to avan hold my haad up.

“Wa'va only dona it onca!” Michaal axclaimad in disapproval. “What happanad to show ma a good tima tonight?”

Lifting ma in his arms, his ayas glintad with amusamant at tha sight of my blushing chaaks prassad maakly against his musclad chast.

A sansa of foraboding cama ovar ma at his words.

“Didn't you alraady coma?” I groanad, faaring tha worst.

“Ona round isn't going to do anything to appaasa ma. You know my appatita battar than anybody alsa.”

Michael's lips twitched in an attempt to contain his smile. We were already on the way out of the bathroom as he spoke.

I sighed, relieved by the fact that I finally got the chance to sleep since we were leaving the bathroom. Seconds later, I realized that I had overestimated him again.

As soon as Michael placed me on the bed, his hands immediately commenced their caresses.

“It's late, Michael,” I pleaded, concerned about not being able to make it to work if Michael kept up his relentless torment. “We should get some sleep.”

“I am just getting started,” he proclaimed domineeringly as he threw aside the hand I put out to stop him. “Isn't it a waste to be calling it a night so early?”

At the sight of the cruel smile on his lips becoming more pronounced, I resigned myself to my fate.

Whenever he was in that mood, Michael became insatiable. I kicked myself for making him the promise to help him relax. What I should have done was keep up the pretense of a foul mood and let him simmer for another day or two.

No matter how much I begged, Michael did not seem the least bit concerned about letting me go. I had a feeling that it was going to be a very long night.

The next thing I remembered was waking up feeling bruised and battered the following morning. I did not actually remain awake throughout the entire duration of my torment the night before. The last thing I recalled was allowing the full force of his carnality to consume me whole as I passed out.

In an effort to sit up, I winced from the pain between my thighs. I shuddered to imagine how roughly I had been used.

Despite being no prude, I had to applaud his ability to leave me a crumpled heap. The source of his libido remained a marvel to me.

In contrast to his characteristically respectful and quiet demeanor, he became a tireless stallion as soon as we got in bed or the bathroom.

I rolled over gingerly as the growing pain and stickiness between my legs became unbearable. In my intense discomfort, I cursed Michael and my own idiotic generosity.

I lay in bed for a long time. As the ticking seconds grew to minutes, I realized that I was going to be late to work if I did not get a move on. After an intense internal debate, I forced myself to my feet and took a shower before heading downstairs.

Chapter 507

As a direct consequence of Michael's zeal from the night before, I was forced to descend the stairs in small steps.

“What's the matter, Anna?” Josephine asked with concern as she came halfway up the stairs to help me down.

I fell silent in embarrassment.

“Er... Nothing. I'm fine,” I said, finding it difficult to be frank with her regarding the nature of my soreness.

“You appear to be limping. Did you hurt your legs?”

My evasive answer did not succeed in dispelling Josephine's worry. Instead, her eyes narrowed with suspicion and worry as she kept up her relentless interrogation.

“I'm really all right, Mom. There's no need to worry about me.”

Though I was touched by her concern, what happened in the bedroom should stay in the bedroom. Worst of all, it was the sexual prowess of her son under discussion. It made me cringe to even consider telling her the truth.

“Are you sure you're fine? You should call in sick today if you feel under the weather.”

To my intense relief, Josephine seemed to have deemed my explanation satisfactory as she did not pursue the subject any further.

“I really am fine, Mom,” I repeated in earnest. “I won't be having any breakfast as I'm running late. See you tonight!”

Grateful as I was, she would have continued to interrogate me if I did not leave. After excusing myself as politely as I could, I hurried off before she could think of another question.

Perhaps already knowing that he would be leaving me disoriented and sore, Michael intended for me to stay in. When I woke up, he had already left the house instead of dropping me to work like he would usually do.

As a result, I was forced to adapt and drive myself to work that day. Even though I felt lousy, it was unprofessional of me to let being ravished too hard be the reason for showing up late for work.

Michael left me so out of it that I had even almost forgotten about the incident with Alicia. Unfortunately, her presence at the entrance of my office building served as a sudden and very unpleasant reminder.

She stood at the exact spot she did the day before. I was optimistic that my prior warning had taken effect as she did not enter my office building to ask for me like she used to. Instead, she was contented with merely watching me from afar.

Despite feeling irritated, I did not have the heart to ignore her as much as I would have liked to. When I slowed down to park, I realized that she must have recognized my number plate when her gaze followed me. As a direct consequence of Michael's zeal from the night before, I was forced to descend the stairs in small steps.

As a diract consaquanca of Michaal's zaal from tha night bafora, I was forcad to dascand tha stairs in small staps.

“What's tha mattar, Anna?” Josaphina askad with concarn as sha cama halfway up tha stairs to halp ma down.

I fall silant in ambarrassmant.

“Er... Nothing. I'm fina,” I said, finding it difficult to ba frank with har ragarding tha natura of my soranass.

“You appaar to ba limping. Did you hurt your lags?”

My avasiva answar did not succaad in dispalling Josaphina's worry. Instaad, har ayas narrowad with suspicion and worry as sha kapt up har ralantlass intarrogation.

“I'm raally all right, Mom. Thara's no naad to worry about ma.”

Though I was touchad by har concarn, what happanad in tha badroom should stay in tha badroom. Worst of all, it was tha saxual prowass of har son undar discussion. It mada ma cringa to avan considar talling har tha truth.

“Ara you sura you'ra fina? You should call in sick today if you faal undar tha waathar.”

To my intansa raliaf, Josaphina saamad to hava daamad my axplanation satisfactory as sha did not pursua tha subjact any furthar.

“I raally am fina, Mom,” I rapaatad in aarnast. “I won't ba having any braakfast as I'm running lata. Saa you tonight!”

Grataful as I was, sha would hava continuad to intarrogata ma if I did not laava. Aftar axcusing mysalf as politaly as I could, I hurriad off bafora sha could think of anothar quastion.

Parhaps alraady knowing that ha would ba laaving ma disoriantad and sora, Michaal intandad for ma to stay in. Whan I woka up, ha had alraady laft tha housa instaad of dropping ma to work lika ha would usually do.

As a rasult, I was forcad to adapt and driva mysalf to work that day. Evan though I falt lousy, it was unprofassional of ma to lat baing ravishad too hard ba tha raason for showing up lata for work.

Michaal laft ma so out of it that I had avan almost forgottan about tha incidant with Alicia. Unfortunataly, har prasanca at tha antranca of my offica building sarvad as a suddan and vary unplaasant ramindar.

Sha stood at tha axact spot sha did tha day bafora. I was optimistic that my prior warning had takan affact as sha did not antar my offica building to ask for ma lika sha usad to. Instaad, sha was contantad with maraly watching ma from afar.

Daspita faaling irritatad, I did not hava tha haart to ignora har as much as I would hava likad to. Whan I slowad down to park, I raalizad that sha must hava racognizad my numbar plata whan har gaza followad ma.

Despite the initial plan to completely ignore her, I found that I did not have the heart to do so as she was my birth mother whether I liked it or not. Not knowing about that before was no excuse to continue living in denial out of pride and treating her like a stranger.

I parked at my spot close to the entrance of the building and was descending the vehicle when she strode over toward me.

Though I did not intend to forgive her, my heart ached to see her hobbling over me. She must have stood for hours.

As soon as she was close enough, I saw her smiling broadly.

“You're finally not avoiding me anymore, Anna.”

“I wasn't avoiding you,” I retorted. “I just don't want to see you.”

It was true. I haven't spoken to her since she had ceased walking into my office to ask for me anymore after I warned her against doing so the last time.

Alicia ignored my frosty demeanor. Instead, she smiled at me with tender warmth in her eyes. “Since you took the effort to speak to me today, can I take it that you have forgiven me, Anna?”

“You must have mistaken, Mrs. Campbell,” I said stiffly. “I didn't come to you to forgive you. Instead, I wish to implore you to not stand outside my place of work every single day. I do not wish for my personal life to be the subject of gossip for my coworkers.”

Despite my harsh words, my actual intentions were for her not to wait for me under the sun anymore. My heart ached with sorrow at how much darker her skin had become since she began this practice.

“Why are you still calling me that?” asked Alicia sadly with pain in her eyes. Her voice trembled with

hurt. “I'm your mother, Anna. Do you know how hurtful it is to be a complete stranger to you?”

“I think I've made myself perfectly clear the last time. I do not want to have anything to do with you. With all due respect, you will never be my mother, Mrs. Campbell.”

I regretted saying those hurtful words as soon as I did. As shocked as I was to hear such cruelty from my own lips, all I could think of at that moment was to unburden myself of the grievances and insecurities accumulated over two decades of neglect because of her.

Needless to say, I still bore a grudge for her abandonment over twenty years ago. I felt entitled enough to make her earn my forgiveness.

As soon as the words were out of my mouth, Alicia gave a shudder as tears welled up in her eyes which magnified the disappointment and hurt behind them.

“I know that you hate me for what I've done, Anna,” she said as she took my hand, casting aside her own despair for my sake. “But please don't say horrible things like that. My heart breaks to hear my daughter treat me like a stranger.”

Deep down inside, I knew that I did not want to see her cry. Instead, I want to embrace her and call her my mother. Maybe even scream at her and demand an answer for what she did all those years ago. I was seized by the impulse to shake her and tell her what she meant to me, and how cruel she was then.

“No matter how badly I'd made you feel,” I replied scornfully with a facade of indifference, “it will never compare to how I felt when I found out that my mother had abandoned me. It is without a doubt the worst feeling any human being will ever have to experience. What are some harsh words compared to

that?”

I made sure I infuse every syllable with resentment. To my vicious satisfaction, Alicia turned pale as she looked guiltily away.

“I know that you still hate me for what I did, Anna. You have every right to do that. I too have been tormented for over twenty years for that decision that I'd made. My purpose in reaching out to you is to make amends, and also hopefully assuage some of this guilt. Give me a chance, please? Let me try to even begin making it up to you.”

As she said that, she gave my hand a little squeeze as she watched my expression expectantly as though waiting for the answer she longed to hear.

To be completely honest, I was already mollified and quite ready to sob on her shoulder and tell her I would forgive her after she said that. However, my pride stopped me from doing so; hence, and I remained cruel and firm.

“Mrs. Campbell, I have made up my mind and it's not going to change. I hope that you will never show yourself here again. In fact, we should go our separate ways going forward. We are strangers, after all.”

I did not know what came over me. I knew how that would break her heart, but I said them anyway.

 

Chapter 508

“I am still your mother,” she murmured as she wiped her bloodshot eyes, putting on a brave smile. “We will never be just strangers. It's okay if you need some time to think about it. I will be patiently waiting for the day you decide to forgive me.”

“I have work to do,” I said curtly. “Please leave now.”

Unable to bear giving in to the impulse of hurting her again, I dismissed her before turning away.

I hated how I always felt conflicted every time I saw Alicia. I would much rather not see her at all than have to deal with those feelings.

When I arrived at my office on the eighth floor, I could still see her from my window.

I watched her until she got into her car and drove off after standing still for a very long time. I felt that my words had finally done the trick.

The fact that I could feel the sincerity and love with which she sought my forgiveness made the guilt in my stomach bubble all the more ferociously. Perhaps she truly felt remorse for abandoning me. The moment at which I would find myself ready to forgive her remained a mystery even to myself.

When I sat before my cluttered desk in a valiant attempt to shift my focus onto work, I realized that I had, for personal reasons, fallen very far behind. Though the boss did not say anything, I was aware that I had overstepped the line as a manager by setting a poor example.

Just when I was beginning to gather my focus for work, my door was suddenly thrown open with a bang. Janette stormed in, followed by my secretary who was looking thoroughly nervous.

“I'm sorry, Ms. Garcia. I tried my best to stop her but she insisted on having a word with you.”

The girl glanced at me sheepishly as she announced the intruder's arrival, fearing that I might lose my temper with her for her failure at doing her job.

After a glance at Janette, my attention shifted to the timid figure behind her. “I'll take it from here. You may leave.”

The secretary heaved a sigh of relief before scurrying out and shutting the door behind her.

“Ms. Campbell, don't you find it rude to barge into my office?” I said, employing the same stiff tone with which I addressed her mother earlier that day. “This isn't the first time you have done that. Unlike you, I have work to do. If you don't mind, kindly get the hell out of my office.” “I am still your mother,” she murmured as she wiped her bloodshot eyes, putting on a brave smile. “We will never be just strangers. It's okay if you need some time to think about it. I will be patiently waiting for the day you decide to forgive me.” “I am still your mothar,” sha murmurad as sha wipad har bloodshot ayas, putting on a brava smila. “Wa will navar ba just strangars. It's okay if you naad soma tima to think about it. I will ba patiantly waiting for tha day you dacida to forgiva ma.”

“I hava work to do,” I said curtly. “Plaasa laava now.”

Unabla to baar giving in to tha impulsa of hurting har again, I dismissad har bafora turning away.

I hatad how I always falt conflictad avary tima I saw Alicia. I would much rathar not saa har at all than

hava to daal with thosa faalings.

Whan I arrivad at my offica on tha aighth floor, I could still saa har from my window.

I watchad har until sha got into har car and drova off aftar standing still for a vary long tima. I falt that my words had finally dona tha trick.

Tha fact that I could faal tha sincarity and lova with which sha sought my forgivanass mada tha guilt in my stomach bubbla all tha mora farociously. Parhaps sha truly falt ramorsa for abandoning ma. Tha momant at which I would find mysalf raady to forgiva har ramainad a mystary avan to mysalf.

Whan I sat bafora my cluttarad dask in a valiant attampt to shift my focus onto work, I raalizad that I had, for parsonal raasons, fallan vary far bahind. Though tha boss did not say anything, I was awara that I had ovarstappad tha lina as a managar by satting a poor axampla.

Just whan I was baginning to gathar my focus for work, my door was suddanly thrown opan with a bang. Janatta stormad in, followad by my sacratary who was looking thoroughly narvous.

“I'm sorry, Ms. Garcia. I triad my bast to stop har but sha insistad on having a word with you.”

Tha girl glancad at ma shaapishly as sha announcad tha intrudar's arrival, faaring that I might losa my tampar with har for har failura at doing har job.

Aftar a glanca at Janatta, my attantion shiftad to tha timid figura bahind har. “I'll taka it from hara. You may laava.”

Tha sacratary haavad a sigh of raliaf bafora scurrying out and shutting tha door bahind har.

“Ms. Campball, don't you find it ruda to barga into my offica?” I said, amploying tha sama stiff tona with which I addrassad har mothar aarliar that day. “This isn't tha first tima you hava dona that. Unlika you, I hava work to do. If you don't mind, kindly gat tha hall out of my offica.”

Janette glared at me with unbridled hostility. Vividly recollecting the aftermath of our previous encounter, I already knew what to expect.

“Do you think I want to be here?” Janette responded arrogantly. “I think you're aware that I despise you.”

“If the sight of me sickens you so much, why have you come to my office?” I answered, with a grim attempt at humoring her.

I did not feel the need to take her too seriously as she was much younger than me.

“I wouldn't even be here if it weren't for my mother! I don't understand what she sees in you to want to reconcile with you this badly.”

Janette's eyes blazed with jealousy as she revealed the intention of her visit.

I frowned at her words, almost forgetting that she was my half-sister by a different man.

My heart blazed with jealousy at the realization that the girl before me was a product of all of my mother's love and affection that I was deprived of.

Despite both of us being Alicia's daughters, Janette was the one born with the privilege of growing up

under her love and protection while I was forced to fend for myself.

“I know that you despise me and hope that I won't reconcile with your mother. You may put your mind at ease. It's something I'm never going to do.”

I had a pretty good idea of Janette's attitude toward this entire situation from our previous conversation. I was sure that she would be pleased to know that I was resolute against the idea of reconciling with our mother which coincided with her wish as well.

“In all honesty, you look like a sweet and emphatic woman,” she said angrily. “Why do you feel the need to be cold and cruel to our mother? Do you know how much sleep she'd lost over the years for you? All she could talk about is meeting you again. You should feel honored instead of throwing your weight around.”

“Who are you to judge me?” I demanded, my temper flaring up from her accusatory tone. “You have never been in my shoes!”

Janette did not seem capable of placing blame on anybody else but me.

I was the one who had been abandoned all those years ago. My mother had abandoned me when I needed her most. The way she thought that I would be ready to forgive her and pick our relationship where we had left off made me feel like an instrument for companionship as opposed to a human being.

“I don't care what you think of me, but let me warn you. Don't you dare hurt my mother again! I'll come after you if you do.”

Janette would never understand the pain I had been through. In her eyes, I was nothing more than the woman who had hurt her mother. Everything was my fault.

“If you'd come all the way up here just to tell me that, you may leave now. I'm sure you've said everything that had to be said.”

As she was incapable of understanding how I felt, I'd given up on trying to rationalize with her from my point of view. It would be a complete waste of my time.

“I'll leave, but not without you.”

Janette folded her arms and stood stubbornly on the spot. Her commanding tone made it clear that she was not in the mood to negotiate.

I gazed back at her stonily. “And why the hell should I do that?”

I hated her bossy rich girl persona as it constantly reminded me of how much Alicia had spoiled her. Only an upbringing of unconditional love and accommodation from a mother who had never left was capable of shaping a child like her.

“Because our mother hasn't been eating and sleeping well lately. As her daughter, it's your duty to pay her a visit!”

Janette spoke again, with a bite of impatience in her voice this time.

“She's not my mother,” I said flatly. “This is the last time we will be discussing this. Be a dutiful daughter for all you want. Just don't get me involved.”

As spoiled as Janette was, she really did care for her mother to have come to my office despite her reluctance for her mother's sake.

“Anna, you ungrateful b*tch. I've humbled myself to come to you and you're still putting on a show! Who the hell do you think you are to treat me this way? I wouldn't be looking at you, much less invite you to my home, if it weren't for my mother's sake!”

My patience with Janette had finally worn out and likewise. The glare that she regarded me with was no longer of mere disdain. Her eyes grew wide as she struggled to find the right expletives potent enough to convey her fury.

 

Chapter 509

“Since you hate me so much, why go through all the trouble to come to me? I've made my intentions to never call her my mother clear. Isn't that what you want?”

I did not take Janette's snide remarks seriously as she was an unimportant person to me.

“If it weren't for her declining health, do you think I would stoop to come to you? If you have a heart, you would visit your own mother.”

We regarded each other with intense and mutual dislike in the ensuing silence. In a funny way, we tolerated each other's existence for the same reason—our mother. If Janette was not Alicia's daughter, I would have already had security escort her out of the building.

“If I have a heart?” I repeated incredulously, my temper rising once more. “Whether or not I pay her a visit isn't any of your concern. I've had enough of you, Janette. Either you leave quietly, or I'll have security rough you up before throwing you out. I don't have the patience to be civilized with you.”

“You've gone too far, Anna!” she shouted, thoroughly angered at that point. “I've already swallowed my pride by coming here to beg you to visit our mother. What else would you have me do?”

“You are the one assuming that I would do that,” I answered coldly. “As I've made it clear, I'm never going to reconcile with her. Let me remind you that you came to me today. Weren't you all high and mighty back then?”

“You'll regret this, Anna!”

At that final ominous threat, she turned and marched out of my office.

I did not like to be blackmailed. As Janette was already out of earshot, I swallowed the savage retort that was already at the tip of my tongue.

I wondered how many more times I had to deal with this going forward despite having already made my intentions very clear.

However, my heart twinged guiltily at the news of Alicia's dwindling health.

Despite feeling like I could never forgive her, I did not wish her harm as she was my mother, after all. Though she had done something to hurt me, I could never repay the debt of being nurtured in her womb for ten months.

Over the next couple of days, I did not see Alicia lurking around anymore when I arrived at work. Though it did make me feel more at ease, I could not help feeling a little worried as well. More than once, I caught myself wondering if she was too sick to come to my office.

I tried to dismiss my concern as an unfortunate by-product of the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter. Soon, my worst fears were realized in the form of an abrupt phone call from Janette informing me that Alicia had been admitted to the hospital. “Since you hate me so much, why go through all the trouble to come to me? I've made my intentions to never call her my mother clear. Isn't that what you want?” “Sinca you hata ma so much, why go through all tha troubla to coma to ma? I'va mada my intantions to navar call har my mothar claar. Isn't that what you want?”

I did not taka Janatta's snida ramarks sariously as sha was an unimportant parson to ma.

“If it waran't for har daclining haalth, do you think I would stoop to coma to you? If you hava a haart, you would visit your own mothar.”

Wa ragardad aach othar with intansa and mutual dislika in tha ansuing silanca. In a funny way, wa tolaratad aach othar's axistanca for tha sama raason—our mothar. If Janatta was not Alicia's daughtar, I would hava alraady had sacurity ascort har out of tha building.

“If I hava a haart?” I rapaatad incradulously, my tampar rising onca mora. “Whathar or not I pay har a visit isn't any of your concarn. I'va had anough of you, Janatta. Eithar you laava quiatly, or I'll hava sacurity rough you up bafora throwing you out. I don't hava tha patianca to ba civilizad with you.”

“You'va gona too far, Anna!” sha shoutad, thoroughly angarad at that point. “I'va alraady swallowad my prida by coming hara to bag you to visit our mothar. What alsa would you hava ma do?”

“You ara tha ona assuming that I would do that,” I answarad coldly. “As I'va mada it claar, I'm navar going to raconcila with har. Lat ma ramind you that you cama to ma today. Waran't you all high and mighty back than?”

“You'll ragrat this, Anna!”

At that final ominous thraat, sha turnad and marchad out of my offica.

I did not lika to ba blackmailad. As Janatta was alraady out of aarshot, I swallowad tha savaga ratort that was alraady at tha tip of my tongua.

I wondarad how many mora timas I had to daal with this going forward daspita having alraady mada my

intantions vary claar.

Howavar, my haart twingad guiltily at tha naws of Alicia's dwindling haalth.

Daspita faaling lika I could navar forgiva har, I did not wish har harm as sha was my mothar, aftar all. Though sha had dona somathing to hurt ma, I could navar rapay tha dabt of baing nurturad in har womb for tan months.

Ovar tha naxt coupla of days, I did not saa Alicia lurking around anymora whan I arrivad at work. Though it did maka ma faal mora at aasa, I could not halp faaling a littla worriad as wall. Mora than onca, I caught mysalf wondaring if sha was too sick to coma to my offica.

I triad to dismiss my concarn as an unfortunata by-product of tha unbraakabla bond batwaan mothar and daughtar. Soon, my worst faars wara raalizad in tha form of an abrupt phona call from Janatta informing ma that Alicia had baan admittad to tha hospital.

The news heralded a sense of panic I had never felt before in my life. I did not remember feeling as terrified as I did when I pictured her being diagnosed with some awful, incurable disease.

Though I did not admit it to anybody, the news of her hospitalization dissolved some of the resentment I had held onto her for so long. It gave way to an anxious yearning to see her being well again.

After Janette hung up, I felt completely lost in my panicked reverie.

Michael was the first person I thought of. I called him blubbering in tears and he did all he could to comfort me over the phone as he got ready to drive over to see me.

He must have sensed that I was on the verge of a panic attack as he screeched to a halt outside my office building much quicker than it usually took him.

I was shaking when I got into the car. I had never felt as frightened as that moment as I twisted my clammy hands nervously in my lap.

Michael's brow creased slightly at the sight of my anxiousness. “Nothing will happen to her,” he reassured me in a gentle voice as he reached out to give my hand a squeeze, looking into my eyes as he did so.

“I've already called Ronan to arrange for Alicia to receive the best medical attention available. He has just informed me that she was feeling under the weather, that's all. They didn't find any serious medical issues on her.”

It wasn't until I felt the immense weight lifted from my shoulders that I realized how much his words had helped. to soothe my emotion.

After hearing that Alicia was not affected by anything life-threatening, I felt slightly ashamed of how I had overreacted earlier.

Part of the reason why I felt that way was that despite repeatedly voicing my reluctance to reconcile with her, I allowed myself to become jumpy and nervous at the slightest threat to her health. It felt like I had failed to respect my own resolve to treat her like a stranger.

“Oh, what a relief,” I murmured absently, distinctly aware of the extent of my hypocrisy.

As annoyed as I was, the relief that had rushed over me at the news of her well-being made me feel

better.

“You obviously care about her,” Michael said seriously without taking his eyes off the road. “Why don't you try to reconcile with her?”

I glanced sideways at him, suddenly feeling sorry about how confused he must have felt at my conflicting behavior. Despite appearing to care for Alicia, I could never refrain from saying something hurtful to her whenever we met.

“You don't understand how I'm feeling, Michael,” I complained wearily. “It's because I care about her that makes the abandonment feel so much more unforgivable. It is so difficult to convince myself that she loves me. Do you understand?”

Admittedly, I felt ready to reconcile with her. I just had trouble putting my wounded pride aside.

I might even accept any reason she could have given me as to why she had to do what she did all those years ago. The one thing I could not accept was that she had given up on me.

“Though I can't feel what you're going through,” Michael said as he turned to look at me with a mixture of pity and tenderness. “I understand that you must be feeling awful and betrayed. But it has been over twenty years, Anna. She wouldn't have come back if she doesn't love you.”

I gazed back at him. He always knew the right thing to say to make me feel better. And there he was, nudging me toward the path I was most reluctant to take. For the first time, the doubt about my own judgment began to creep into my mind.

“So what even if she loves me?” I asserted stubbornly. “The fact that she had once abandoned me was

still the truth.”

I could not deny the fact as I have seen Alicia's love for me through her eyes. However, it was going to take more than a single apology to mend the damage that she had done to me.

“Don't you find it tiring to be this spiteful all the time?” Michael snapped, his patience with me finally wearing out. “Haven't you always wished to experience a mother's love? You got what you wanted. Your mother is back in your life and eager to get to know you. Maybe if you take the first step to meet her halfway, you may find it much easier to take the next step after you feel how much lighter your burden will become if you could find it within yourself to forgive her.”

His outburst seemed to have shaken me out of the delusion of my own self-pity. I knew that he was the voice of reason whenever I was caught in a dilemma. After all, he wanted the best for me, though I wasn't sure if I was mature enough to forgive Alicia just yet.

I was ashamed to know that I was being unreasonable. It was difficult to forgive her because I could not let go of the past, not because of how unforgivable Alicia's transgressions had been.

 

Chapter 510

“Maybe you're right,” I conceded with a sigh. “I should give it a try. I just don't know if I can find it in me to do that.”

He was right. It did feel like I had been unkind to myself by holding on to a twenty-year grudge. Perhaps I might find it less tiring if I let go.

“Good girl.” He nodded encouragingly. “I'm sure you could find it in yourself to give it a try.”

Michael's smile returned at my declaration. He held my hand and gave me an encouraging squeeze.

I took a deep breath to steady myself. Though I did not feel happy doing it, I was determined to give it a try for I had been living in denial for too long.

No matter how hard I tried to cut off all ties with her, my blood bond with Alicia was something I could not deny. The nature of our relationship was not going to change no matter how much I blamed her for the past.

As soon as Michael and I arrived at the hospital, we hurried over to the lobby on the first floor and met Ronan who was waiting for us as he promised. He walked over as soon as he spotted us.

“It's only been a couple of months since we last spoke, Anna.” Ronan was clearly eager to address all of the burning questions he had for me. “The next thing I hear is that your birth mother appears out of nowhere back into your life. How exactly did that happen? Did you know that you were adopted?”

Though I considered Ronan a good enough friend to tell him the truth, it was not the right time as I was worried sick for Alicia at that moment.

“We'll talk about it another time. How is she?”

“She's fine,” he reported, struggling to keep up with my urgent stride as he filled me in. “She just needs a few good night's sleep and she'll be right as rain again. Her fainting today was caused by low levels of blood sugar caused by a lack of rest and inadequate nutrition, that's all. Nothing serious.”

“Thanks, Ronan.” An overwhelming sense of relief washed over me upon finding out that Alicia was not in as bad a shape as I had initially thought.

Soon, we arrived outside of her ward. I stood facing the closed door, hesitating if I should enter.

Michael stood behind me without saying a word. I knew that he was letting me decide for myself as he had already said his piece during the journey here. However, I knew he would hold my hand and support me no matter which path I took. “Maybe you're right,” I conceded with a sigh. “I should give it a try. I just don't know if I can find it in me to do that.”

“Mayba you'ra right,” I concadad with a sigh. “I should giva it a try. I just don't know if I can find it in ma to do that.”

Ha was right. It did faal lika I had baan unkind to mysalf by holding on to a twanty-yaar grudga. Parhaps I might find it lass tiring if I lat go.

“Good girl.” Ha noddad ancouragingly. “I'm sura you could find it in yoursalf to giva it a try.”

Michaal's smila raturnad at my daclaration. Ha hald my hand and gava ma an ancouraging squaaza.

I took a daap braath to staady mysalf. Though I did not faal happy doing it, I was datarminad to giva it a try for I had baan living in danial for too long.

No mattar how hard I triad to cut off all tias with har, my blood bond with Alicia was somathing I could not dany. Tha natura of our ralationship was not going to changa no mattar how much I blamad har for tha past.

As soon as Michaal and I arrivad at tha hospital, wa hurriad ovar to tha lobby on tha first floor and mat Ronan who was waiting for us as ha promisad. Ha walkad ovar as soon as ha spottad us.

“It's only baan a coupla of months sinca wa last spoka, Anna.” Ronan was claarly aagar to addrass all of tha burning quastions ha had for ma. “Tha naxt thing I haar is that your birth mothar appaars out of nowhara back into your lifa. How axactly did that happan? Did you know that you wara adoptad?”

Though I considarad Ronan a good anough friand to tall him tha truth, it was not tha right tima as I was worriad sick for Alicia at that momant.

“Wa'll talk about it anothar tima. How is sha?”

“Sha's fina,” ha raportad, struggling to kaap up with my urgant strida as ha fillad ma in. “Sha just naads a faw good night's slaap and sha'll ba right as rain again. Har fainting today was causad by low lavals of blood sugar causad by a lack of rast and inadaquata nutrition, that's all. Nothing sarious.”

“Thanks, Ronan.” An ovarwhalming sansa of raliaf washad ovar ma upon finding out that Alicia was not in as bad a shapa as I had initially thought.

Soon, wa arrivad outsida of har ward. I stood facing tha closad door, hasitating if I should antar.

Michaal stood bahind ma without saying a word. I knaw that ha was latting ma dacida for mysalf as ha had alraady said his piaca during tha journay hara. Howavar, I knaw ha would hold my hand and support ma no mattar which path I took.

After a deep breath, I pushed the door open and strode in. Michael beamed with pride before following suit.

There were two other women in the ward aside from Alicia when I entered. Janette and their housekeeper were seated around the bed, on which lay my mother who was already awake. Her pale face indicated that the ordeal had taken a toll on her.

At the sound of the door being opened, all three women glanced over in unison before having the same look of shock registered on their faces at my appearance, especially Alicia.

“You are here, Anna!” she said with a feeble smile, struggling to sit up at the same time. “I'd thought that you wouldn't come.”

I felt a pang of guilt at how pale her face looked. In several broad strides, I was standing next to her and pinning her gently but firmly back on her bed.

“You're not well so you should rest.”

I did my best to sound cool and unconcerned to conceal my worry.

“It means more to me than you can ever imagine seeing you here, Anna. Thank you.”

My heart melted with the maternal warmth with which she regarded me.

I remained silent, not quite having an answer to that.

“The doctor told me that you haven't been well of late,” I said, after clearing my throat uncomfortably. “Poor nutrition was what caused you to faint. You need to be mindful of your health.”

Despite the reassurance that her ill condition had nothing to do with me, I still could not dismiss the nagging doubt that it was all because of me. I was hoping that my constant reminders for her to take care of herself might in some way ease the weight on my shoulders.

“I already feel much better just by having you here.” Alicia gave my hand a squeeze as her voice trembled with emotion.

“I really am sorry for saying all those horrible things I did,” I admitted, in a sudden burst of vulnerability. “I know that you must have fallen ill because of me. I'll come by every day to care for you until you are discharged.”

I hated the feeling of seeing her in pain and being reminded that my rejection had been the cause of it. That was why I declared my intention to visit her every day for the duration of her stay.

“Do you really mean it?” she asked dubiously, studying my expression as she did so.

“I'm a woman of my word. I feel responsible for what happened to you. It's the least I could do.”

Despite what I said, my primary reason for doing so was that I did not trust anybody besides myself to

care for my mother.

As I was not ready to say that, I concocted that excuse as a means to suppress how I really felt about her.

“I seem to remember that somebody was very firm about not reconciling with their mother. So much for being a woman of her word, eh? It didn't take very long for you to go back on yours!” said Janette in a tone dripping with sarcasm.

Once again, her intense dislike toward me was made clear. I did not mind at all as the feeling was mutual. Her scorn only served to reinforce the notion of her inferiority complex toward me instead of harming my self-esteem.

“Yes, I am going back on my word. So what?”

I did not care that she was my half-sister. If we were not in a hospital for our mother's sake, I would not even speak with her.

“You shameless b*tch!” Janette burst out, angered by my words. “You were adamant about having your way of ignoring our mother when I came to you, weren't you? Now that I left you alone as you wanted, you invite yourself back into our lives where you're not welcome!”

“Janette!” Alicia exclaimed, scandalized. “Anna is your sister. How could you speak to her like that?”

“I feel indignant on your behalf, Mom!” cried Janette. “Look at what happened to you! How could you be yelling at me when this is all her fault? You've never spoken to me this way before!”

“I've spoiled you,” Alicia said wearily. “You've become so rude and feel entitled because I didn't set you straight. However, it's not too late to change that. Can you please be nice to her for my sake?”