From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 6

Anthea looked at Carole, her eyes softening. “Mom, I’m home.”

“What… what did you just call me?” Tears welled up in Carole’s eyes.

Carole went to see Anthea just the day before, but Anthea refused to reunite with her. Worse still, Anthea had lashed out, shaming her, saying she could never have such a pathetic mother. Heartbroken and powerless, Carole had left. Anthea was unwilling to be her daughter, and the Morris family was happy to keep her, so Carole could only give up on her daughter.

But Carole never expected that just one day later, Anthea would return, even calling her “Mom“! Was that a dream?

Carole had quite a story. At the tender age of nineteen, Carole fell in love and got pregnant with twins. But during childbirth, she was told one was stillborn.

After her daughter was born, her once–devoted lover vanished without a trace, not to be seen for the next eighteen years.

It was only after reporting him missing at the police station that she discovered the truth. Everything about him had been a lie. His family, his address, and his name were all fake. He was a con artist, a smooth–talking Casanova.

for a nineteen–year–old girl, having a child out of wedlock was a scandal. After the birth, Carole’s parents

Carole.

infant daughter. Defying her parents, she took

and left home.

while raising her daughter alone. Life as a single mother was tough, but she never gave up on her daughter and

for the way I acted before. Please forgive me. From now on, I’ll stay

face as she led Anthea

dim

peeling, yellowed wallpaper and a concrete floor cracked and damp. A three–legged table stood against the wall, its fourth leg replaced by a broken

top of this ancient

Chapter 6

still around

place was old, it

have some water,” Carole said, handing