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.

Malcolm had betrayed her.

Lizzie not witnessed it firsthand, she would never have

expert replied again

you’ve described, your mother sounds like a strong woman. But often, the stronger a woman appears, the more vulnerable she 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

Why destroy that happiness with

listened to the expert’s message, her emotions a tangled mess.

the expert was right.

her mom couldn’t handle the truth and did something extreme?

She couldn’t lose Gina. She

remember falling asleep,

unable to cope wightmare jolted her awake.

1/2

jumped from a

10:24

matter haunted her.

woke up

the terrible images lingering,

The alarm’s chime pulled her back to reality.

and got

Lizzie,” Gina greeted as

to the table.

from her mouth, asked, “Where’s