Reborn From Oblivion by Christia Muray

Nathalie's bottled-up anger exploded like a firecracker. "And why don't you mention how he swindled me out of my kidney under the guise of fatherly love?" she shouted, her voice dripping with fury. Miranda was left speechless.

Nathalie, ignited by Miranda's actions, was a blazing inferno. "What gives you the right to judge me? You had a little kid rummaging through trash to support you, tarnishing the name of motherhood. Now that you've turned down my help, that's just fine by me. From now on, live your life with your crazy daughter. Whether you make it or not, live or die, don't bother telling me." With that, Nathalie walked away, leaving without a hint of nostalgia.

Oh, and before she left, she swung by the retirement home to cancel the five-year pension plan she'd set up for Miranda.

With Nathalie out of the picture, Miranda and Greta were like deer caught in headlights, clueless about handling Patrick's funeral.

Miranda, confined to her wheelchair, was helpless.

Greta, broke as a joke, was overwhelmed by the costs of cremation, body transport, buying a burial plot, and organizing the funeral.

The hospital kept sending bills one after another: "Who's paying?"

glanced over

everything over to Nathalie. I didn't get a dime from you, and now you want me to foot the funeral bill? Where am I supposed to get the

in the hospital hallway for what felt like ages, while Miranda pleaded with Greta, "Greta, this was your dad. He's gone

fuming, "I told you, I'm out

was taken aback by Greta's

calm things down, gently saying, "Greta's been going through a tough time lately, don't push her too

as

only right for you to help with the funeral, isn't it? Could you cover

thinking

tightfisted by nature, but he couldn't stand Miranda's mistreatment of her daughter, elus, he felt guilty about Nathalie and

his in-laws, and the same goes for a daughter-in-law

her heart shattered by