Seeing Zoey poised to strike, Calla retreated a few steps in fear. She ended up pressed against a wooden flower stand.Calla looked up and saw the hateful glint in Zoey's eyes. She instinctively held Clover closer to her chest.At that moment, the front door opened, and a soft female voice came through."The vegetables are so fresh today, and the salmon looks especially good. Calla, I bought one for you to help with your milk supply. Speaking of which, why hasn't your milk supply increased?"The sound of her mother's voice was all it took to ease Calla's tension.She wasn't afraid of fighting, but she feared hurting Clover. Now that Carol was here, Calla knew her mother wouldn't let a fight between the sisters happen."Mom, you're home!" The next moment, Zoey turned to greet Carol."Oh, Zoey's here too?" Carol saw Zoey and smiled."Mom, I just got here. Cal said you were out grocery shopping," Zoey answered with a smile."Perfect timing, let's eat together. I bought plenty of
Seeing Calla, Carol said, "You fell asleep earlier, so we didn't wake you up for lunch. We left some food in the pot for you. Hurry and eat before Clover wakes up.""Okay." Calla nodded and then went to the kitchen to get her food.As Calla sat at the dining table to eat, she thought about what had just happened. It weighed down on her, but she couldn't talk to her mother about it, so she felt even more stifled.Calla was going through the motions, feeling like she was chewing on tasteless wax. It was at this moment when Carol sat down in front of her and earnestly said, "Calla, Zoey is your sister. Even if she said something you didn't like, she meant well. Don't be mad at her—and try not to hold a grudge."When she heard this, Calla looked up and asked, "Mom, what did Zoey say to you?"Carol hesitated for a moment, then admitted the truth. "Last time I called Zoey, I complained a bit about you. I think it got to her. "She admitted that she said some things to you today that
In the blink of an eye, it was Larissa's first birthday. Harlan had reserved a few tables at a five-star hotel, and Calla attended the celebration with Carol.Calla entrusted Clover to a neighbor lady. She planned to deliver the gift at the event and then quickly return. She was worried about Clover and wanted to avoid Harlan. She hoped to prevent any misunderstandings with Zoey. At this point, it seemed best to keep her distance.The small banquet hall had about ten tables, where most guests had already arrived.From afar, Calla saw Harlan and Zoey mingling among the guests. Zoey wore a beautiful pink gown, looking elegant and graceful. Conversely, Harlan wore a white shirt as per usual, maintaining his refined professor demeanor.Zoey was moving gracefully through the crowd, carrying a tray filled with gifts from friends and relatives."Zoey's over there," Carol said, pointing in Zoey's direction.Calla nodded and followed Carol's lead.At that moment, Harlan spotted Carol and
"Alright." Calla gave a perfunctory nod with a polite smile.At that moment, Zoey, clinging to Harlan's arm, warmly said, "Cal, you haven't visited our house since you returned. You must come over before you leave!"Hearing this, Calla knit her brows together. She thought to herself, "When did I say I was leaving? Clover is still so young, and staying at Mom's house gives us some support. I have no plans to leave."In the next instant, however, Calla realized that Zoey's words were meant for Harlan.Sure enough, Harlan frowned and asked Calla, "Are you going back to work in Greendale?"Calla didn't know how to respond for a moment.Carol heard it too and asked, "Calla, why are you going back to Greendale? You're alone with—"She stopped herself mid-sentence, glancing at Harlan, realizing she almost let something slip.After all, Calla's unmarried status as a mother wasn't exactly something to be proud of. Given the stigma attached to unmarried mothers, it would be quite embarra
Even though Calla was prepared for Zoey's behavior tonight, her eyes still reddened when she turned away."I hope you can keep your word!" Zoey shouted at Calla's receding figure.Hearing the voice behind her, Calla didn't look back. She held her head high and continued walking, but still shed tears despite her best efforts.Calla hurried home to take care of Clover, skipping lunch as she no longer had an appetite. Now, even the sight or mention of Zoey filled her with disgust.It was past 2:00 pm when Carol returned from the banquet."Calla, have you eaten? Zoey asked me to bring back a lot of food for you." Carol changed into her slippers at the door, holding a large bag full of food.Calla knew Zoey had put on an act in front of their mother again, pretending to care about her when she didn't. Zoey was capable of such hypocrisy."Mom, I've already eaten," Calla replied flatly."Then, I'll put this in the fridge. We can warm it up for dinner later. I brought back untouched fi
Although Calla hadn't been back home for long, Carol had already asked countless times about the father of her child. Whenever she heard this question, she got a headache and didn't know how to respond. She would never mention Mercer because it would be trouble if Carol went looking for him. That said, she couldn't just fabricate a father for the child, so Calla chose to keep her mouth shut."Alright, alright, I won't ask for now, but that doesn't mean I won't ask in the future. When you're ready to talk about it, you can tell me," Carol said helplessly.Right at that moment, there was a sudden knock at the door.Calla stood up and said, "I'll get the door.""I'll go. Who would come here at this hour?" Carol muttered as she turned and went to open the door.When Carol opened it, she saw Zoey standing there, dressed to the nines. Carol couldn't help but feel a little puzzled. "The banquet's over, right? Why did you come here? Where's Larissa?"Zoey's face was etched with frustra
Carol was stunned, and Calla's jaw hit the floor when she heard that. Calla's first reaction was to refute the accusation. "Impossible! I bought this gold bracelet at the mall for over 3,000 dollars. How could it be fake?"Calla felt enraged because she was being insulted in this way. Even though she wasn't rich right now, she hadn't stooped so low as to buy a fake bracelet as a gift."Go ahead, take a look at what you bought. See if I'm lying!" Zoey's gaze was fixed on Calla with a fierce intensity, her eyes burning with hostility.Hearing this, Calla opened the red velvet box in her hand and took out the small gold bracelet inside.Calla examined it carefully. This bracelet looked similar to the one Calla bought, but it was noticeably lighter. And upon closer inspection, the color wasn't quite right either.Calla realized that the bracelet in her hand was indeed a fake. She could tell that this was not the bracelet she had purchased at the mall. But where did this fake bracele
Without a moment's hesitation, Zoey seized Carol's hand and wept bitterly. "Mom, our family and Harlan's were never a good match. All his relatives are people of considerable standing. I've been busting my butt for the Englers for two years, trying to do everything right. Luckily, my in-laws are open-minded and haven't looked down on my background. "But what Cal did today embarrassed my in-laws. They're even starting to regard me with disdain. If it weren't for Larissa, they would have said much harsher things. I feel so ashamed. Mom, how could Cal do something like this?"At this point, even Carol believed Zoey's words. She turned to Calla with disappointment. "Calla, how could you do such a thing? I know you're tight on money now, but you could have told me. I may not have much money, but I've saved the allowance you've been giving me every month. I can afford a small gold bracelet!"Calla took a step back, looking at her mother with hurt in her eyes. "Mom, are you taking Zoe