From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 168

“How many times do I have to tell you? That woman is no fit to be called your mother! Janet’s voice cracked as she and this, and she was soon engulfed in a hit of coughing again.

“I don’t have any pictures of heef

“But can you at least tell me her name, where she’s from?” Gerard persisted, hoping to piece together the puzzle of his origins.

With that information, he could go and find his mother himself.

“I don’t know!” Janet’s face darkened with a mix of anger and a surge of coughing.

The boy must be out to kill her with worry, she thought.

Janet’s chronic cough always flared up with stress.

Gerard gently patted Janet’s back “Grandma don’t get upset. I won’t ask you about it again ”

Seeing Gerard’s response, Janet couldn’t help but tear up

He was a good boy What a shame he didn’t have a good mother

It was all Carole’s fault!

Carole, the unforgivable sinner! And poor Gerard, motherless from such a young age!

Janet held Gerard’s hand tightly “Gerry, there’s not a single lie in what I’ve told you today. If I’m lying, may I be struck by lightning! You might not understand now, but one day, you’ll see that I had only the best intentions”

young. They

growing up without a mother Janet

out on being with her. You can rest assured, once Ms. Fletcher joins our family, she’ll treat you as if you were her own flesh and

Gerard didn’t respond.

took the opportunity to help his grandmother. “Here, Grandma,

Janet took her medicine, she drifted off to sleep, but not before making Gerard

grandmother in and left

the old butler came looking

Gerard whispered, closing the door softly

nodded. “Ill come

again. “I have something to

Gerard, go

long have you

a moment before answering seriously, “Nineteen years, all

right?” Gerard pressed.

butler’s expression changed dramatically,

tell me

butler shook

was she from?”

time.”

shook

child. Can’t you his plea, Gerard’s eyes glistened with

take pity on a