From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 268

After hearing the expert’s reply, Lizzie was dumbstruck.

Was she really supposed to keep this from her mom and let her live in ignorance?

Tears began to pool as Lizzie typed out another message, “Dear expert, my mom is the kindest, most hardworking woman. She runs the household by herself, always making sure Dad and I have the best of everything, even if it means going without herself. She loves us so much. Wouldn’t it be cruel to let her stay in the dark?”

By the time she finished typing, tears were streaming down her face.

Torn between her mother and father, Lizzie, their daughter, was at a loss.

Her mom, Gina, was the epitome of a traditional housewife, her world revolving around her husband and

child.

Gina came from a rural background.

She and Malcolm fell in love and moved to Cloudcrest to build a life together. But it was Gina who was the real driving force.

In the beginning, she’d hawk goods up and down the streets, starting her day before the sun and ending well after it had set. Now, she looked a decade older than her peers. Standing next to Malcolm, they looked more like siblings than husband and wife.

Few knew Gina was only 41.

From nothing, she built a small supermarket and became a respected business owner. Honestly, if it wasn’t for Gina, Malcolm wouldn’t have made it this far.

had betrayed her.

Lizzie not witnessed it firsthand, she would never have thought her dad could be so

replied again soon after.

is on the inside. If you tell her about this, it could crush her. She might do something drastic, and you’ll live with regret. If you truly care for her, sometimes it’s kinder to keep her in the dark. Isn’t

happiness. Your dad is happy, and your mom seems happy. Isn’t that enough? Why destroy that happiness with your own hands? Life is

message, her emotions

expert was right.

couldn’t handle the

couldn’t lose Gina. She couldn’t

didn’t remember falling

the dream, Gina, unable to cope wightmare jolted her awake.

1/2

a building. The graphic images of

10:24

matter haunted her.

woke up screaming,

sat up, the terrible

alarm’s chime pulled her back to

alarm and

as she brought breakfa

to the table.

foam from her mouth, asked, “Where’s dad?”