Crossroads

Chapter 101

“Oh, I have to go now,” Molly said suddenly after taking a phone call, standing up before she finished her lunch.

With a wry smile, she added, “I have to take the day off from work and go home to sort out my family issues. Otherwise, my mom will keep making a scene at my office. Even if I don’t mind the embarrassment, Sharon and the others might report me to the higher ups, and then I‘ really be out of a job.”

Stephanie, who was sitting across from her, also stood up. “I guess I’ll leave too.”

She knew that Molly had just gotten a call from her mom, and her mom’s voice was loud and demanding as if she were collecting money from a debt.

Stephanie offered, “Molly, call me if you need anything. If your mom really forces you for money, I have some…”

“No need, I can manage on my own.” Molly shrugged. “I’ve long figured out my mom’s demanding nature. I did save some money a few years back, but I’ve spent it all at once on a down payment for an apartment. Now, she’s demanding money, but I have nothing left. She can’t do anything about it.”

“Having a mortgage isn’t bad either,” Stephanie commented and thought that Molly was quite smart

“I’m just a poor salaried worker. I can’t afford to buy outright, but with a mortgage, at least I have my own place. If my mom argues with my stepdad, she won’t have to suffer. She can stay with me,” Molly explained confidently.

Stephanic chuckled softly after hearing her.

She understood Molly’s frustrations with her mother, yet she remained a dutiful daughter.

The two of them then walked toward the restaurant counter together. “This meal is on me,” Stephanie said as she took out her card from her

bag.

Molly didn’t stop her, thinking that since they were so close, this small amount wasn’t worth fussing over.

hing else and said, “Oh right, how’s your aunt, Stephanie? How is Ms. Clark’s heart condition? Is she doing

However, she remembered something any better?”

Molly remembered Stephanie’s frail aunt, once a wealthy heiress, who didn’t know how to do any housework. Her illness cost money to treat. When Stephanie was in school, she spent most of her time juggling part–time jobs, working even harder than those from low–income families.

Stephanie replied, “My aunt is much better now.”

Molly teased, “Looks like you married a wealthy husband who takes good care of everyone you outfit that her husband was well–off.

She

she hurriedly explained, “No, the money for my aunt’s treatment came from the inheritance my grandfather left me… I don’t want to rely on

odd expression and, after thinking for a moment, asked, “Why are you so tense? Are things not good between

her head

find a suitable heart donor for my aunt,

Chapter 101

that Stephanie was in a bad mood, so she changed the subject “Why did your grandfather make you wa’t until you graduated

expression turned a bit awkward. “Because I did something that made

angry. Her grandfather was furious back then because

done…” Molly asked curiously, but just then, her phone began to ring from

said, “Stephanie, I have to run. My mom’s calling like crazy, I can’t stand

waved

leave and called out, “Remember to call me if

it. I’ll handle it,”

tough it was for Molly to have such a troublesome mother. But who was she to pity others when her own life was such a mess? It was true that every family had its own

wall. After

up soon, she quickly went to settle the bill. Stephanie asked, “How much for

your tab has already been settled,”

“What do you

on her cheeks, glanced toward the restaurant’s second glass door and

who it might

to her mind was Dominick. Stephanie asked, “Was he wearing

shook her head and

pair of beautiful

blue eyes. She instinctively–grabbed her bag

stunned at the doorway and anxiously looked

eyes… Could

eye. Stephanie’s eyes widened, and

Stephanie called out to the crowd on the

and her voice was drowned

up Stephanie but saw her trying to cross the street against

Chapter 101

appeared in front of her and stopped

Wellington, it’s