From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 167

“Shut up!” Janet snapped, her voice harsh with disdain. “That woman doesn’t deserve to be called ‘mom! She’s not fit to be a mother”

“Is it possible… my mom isn’t really dead?” Gerard turned to face Janet, a flicker of hope in his eyes.

“I told you, she’s not your mother” Janet blurted out, perhaps realizing her volume had risen too much. She softened her tone, “Gerry, the really is dead.”

“is my mom really dead?” Gerard suddenly looked up, his gaze piercing as be locked eyes with Janet

That look, it was too intense for an eighteen–year–old.

It was as if he was trying to see night through her.

Feeling guilty, Janet couldn’t hold his stare. “She’s dead,” she insisted.

What was the point of a woman like Carole still being alive?

If at peace!

Better off gone, better off

Never before had Janet wished as fervently for someone like Carole to succumb to some terminal Illness and pass away.

It was clear from the look on Gerard’s face that he was not satisfied.

to see her, Gerard said, his voice

Only Ms. Fletcher has that right. She’s from a good family, a perfect match for your dad. She’s waited for your dad half her life; how can you bear to make

right. How many eighteen–year cycles does a woman

to Jonah; it was time Jonah settled things with

mother!” Gerard’s tone was flat. “Grandma, anyone can become my stepmother, but not Edna.”

raised by Ms. Fletcher since you were a tot! How can you say such things about her!” Her words were accompanied by

such a sensible

couldn’t he see right from wrong when

a flirty woman as his mother than accept

as if she was trying to expel her very lungs.

sighed and walked over to

Gerard coming to her aid softened Janet’s heart. Regardless

didn’t have long to live. She didn’t want

such a good woman. Why couldn’t this

don’t like her, and

Janet asked,

“Just because.”

over Janet

have been able to accept her easily.

for Edna was just as

see my mom, just once. Is that

had Gerard longed so much to see his