Reborn From Oblivion by Christia Muray

Chapter 81

She studied Nellie with a curious gaze. "Heard from your sister that you've hit the jackpot and married into money?"

Nellie's heart clenched instinctively. Every nerve felt painfully taut, and for a moment, it was like her blood froze, her vitality on pause.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice was barely steady.

"How long's it been since you last came to see me?" Miranda began her relentless spiel, "Nel, I've been diagnosed with a terminal illness. I haven't got much time left. I wanted to see you before I go. I called you countless times, but you never picked up. I texted, and you didn't respond. Have you really become so high and mighty that you don't recognize your own mother anymore..." Her voice cracked, dissolving into sobs.

Nellie stared icily at the woman who had been the source of her misery: How dare she show her face? Nellie had been just a child when her mother took out all her anger at Patrick on her. Miranda had abused her, insulted her, and used her as a punching bag. Miranda had stopped her from going to school and forced her to beg on the streets, taking every cent she earned...

Just thinking about her mother gave Nellie nightmares.

She didn't mind that her mother was incompetent and weak. But who would want to acknowledge a mother as cruel as a "human trafficker?"

not a doctor. I can't help you," Nellie's voice was

caught up in her emotions, suddenly reached out and grabbed Nellie's hand. "I have

thicker than water. If her mother was on her deathbed and speaking kindly, maybe she should be

just around the corner from

into her seat before tears started flowing again. "Nel, you were just a kid back then, and there were so many things you didn't understand. Your father had

it out

was frustrated."

through her hair, her fingers brushing over the scar on her forehead. Any fleeting warmth in her eyes was replaced by cold detachment. "Just a bad temper,

beaten

was like her mother was trying to

There were

wouldn't make it, but

managed to hold on.

faltering. "Nel, you're doing well