Chapter 11
“Sharon, didn’t we agree I’d help you carry the table downstairs?”
“Who agreed with you? I’ve been saying all along that I can do it myself.”
“Okay, okay, please give me a chance to exercise. I’m requesting permission to carry the table downstairs.”
“Stop being silly.” Mom got serious: “Anthony, I’m telling you again—I’m not planning to find another man. Right now I just want to make money so I can get Sienna back.”
Anthony fell silent and quietly helped with the work.
Seeing the man like this, Mom felt she’d said the wrong thing, but that’s really how she felt.
Having gone through one failed marriage, she was scared. She just wanted to spend the rest of her life with her child.
Besides, Mom glanced at Anthony-she felt she wasn’t good enough for him.
After Anthony helped Mom carry down all her stall equipment, he said quietly: “I’ll help you push it to the school entrance in the morning.”
Before Mom could refuse, he ran off.
Mom stood there for a long time before sighing and going upstairs.
I emerged from shadows and stood downstairs, looking at the figure silhouetted in the dim yellow light from the second floor, a slight smile playing on my lips.
Being reborn was useful after all-at least Mom and I didn’t have to wander the streets homeless. We both had places to live.
I knew that Uncle Anthony-he was a really good man. His wife had died of illness just two years after their marriage, and he’d been taking care of both families by himself, which delayed his remarrying.
People advised him: “Your wife’s been dead for years now, and you’ve done more than enough for her family. It’s about time you stopped and thought about your own life. If you wait much longer, you’ll have trouble finding someone.”
Anthony wouldn’t say anything-he wouldn’t argue or agree, just smile foolishly.
But he kept taking care of both sets of elderly parents year after year, only letting go after he’d seen his wife’s parents to their graves.
People said he was too foolish, but I thought he was someone who valued relationships deeply.
In my past life, it wasn’t until Mom took me and left town that Uncle Anthony came to our door, telling Mom he was willing to help her take care of me together. Only then did Mom realize Anthony had feelings for her.
By then, Mom had been worn down by life’s hardships, and Anthony’s appearance made her waver.
Romance aside, she hoped someone could help share life’s burdens.
Mom asked for my opinion and met with my fierce opposition.
I was scared then-scared that if Mom got a man, she wouldn’t want me anymore, just like Dad.
I cried and threw tantrums, even threatened her with the studies she cared about most, saying I wouldn’t go to school if she developed anything with Uncle Anthony.
Mom finally agreed.
I don’t know how they talked it out, but Uncle Anthony disappeared from our lives.
After that incident, Mom understood my attitude and completely gave up on remarrying.
I walked back step by step.
On the way, I figured it out-I couldn’t be that selfish anymore. Mom should have her own life too, one without me dragging her down.
When I got back to Dad’s place and tried to unlock the door with my key, I found it was locked from the inside.
I understood-Dad was deliberately keeping me out.
I curled up in a ball and sat against the door, quietly counting seconds and calculating how long until dawn.
The next day when Dad opened the door, he mocked: “Didn’t you have such backbone when you ran away? How come you’re back?”
Then he softened his tone, coaxing gently: “How have you thought about Dad’s suggestion yesterday?”
“Sienna, you’re still Dad’s biological daughter. Dad wouldn’t hurt you.”
“Just take one year off school-think of it as being filial to Dad. You’d help Dad out and it won’t affect your studies at all.”
Now showing his true colors.
“Dad, if you treasure the baby Quinn’s carrying so much, why don’t you quit your job to take care of her yourself?”
“Besides, even if I were willing to take care of Quinn, would you dare let me?”
“I heard older pregnant women are very fragile-one little fall and the baby could be gone.”
