From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 15

Carole was the epitome of a devoted mother. Unfortunately, Rebecca was far from a grateful daughter.

Beyond forcing Carole to sell her blood, Rebecca committed a series of selfish acts.

Not too long ago, she’d even gone as far as suggesting that Carole sell a kidney to cover a house down payment.

If the Morris family hadn’t shown up out of the blue, Carole might have gone through with it.

Rebecca’s behavior worsened afterward.

She spread nasty rumors that Carole was a home–wrecker who skulked in the shadows and even had the gall to accuse her of a child–swap conspiracy, disregarding the years of love and care Carole had provided.

Nanson couldn’t fathom how the kind–hearted Carole could have given birth to someone as self–centered as Rebecca until the Morris family came to their door. It was only then that he had his epiphany.

Rebecca wasn’t Carole’s biological daughter.

The revelation that the child she’d raised was not her hit Carole like a ton of bricks. She was devastated to learn that her daughter, whom she had loved and nurtured for eighteen years. did not share her blood.

The daughter she’d raised turned her back on her to reunite with her biological family, and her birth daughter wanted nothing to do with her, even refusing to acknowledge her.

Carole felt like her steadfast dedication all the years had turned into a cruel joke. She had even contemplated suicide, but thankfully, Anthea returned.

said, “Mom, I’ll come with you to quit from

ends meet, Carole had been working

“How can

but it helped put food on the table!

could

put down her pen after finishing the prescription. “Mom, you can’t keep working with your health like this! Otherwise, the consequences could be dire,

jumped in, alarmed, “Carole, you’ve got to listen to Ann! Nothing is more important

Anthea had accurately determined that Carole sold her blood, Nanson had

Chapter 15

medical judgment.

I’ve always been like this.

don’t have to worry if the money kept you

classmate yesterday and plan to invest it in mutual funds and

that she had earned the money on the gambling table, but she didn’t dare tell

his wallet, “Carole, this is my paycheck and

take your money,”

“Carole, we’re family. I only want you to

“My health is fine.”

sister and a mother, Carole couldn’t bear the thought of doing nothing and

painful truth momentarily than suffer for a long time. If you insist on working, I’ll leave this house right now and act as if I never