Part 7

7

Chelsea awfully realized that her mother's indifference wasn't just shown during her father's life, as she considered him a burden.

But Chelsea was wrong. Even after her father's passing, her mother still didn't care about him. So, when the funeral took place, Chelsea had to handle everything on her own. Fortunately, she had the check that Carlos had given her, which enabled her to settle and immediately pay off the hospital bills.

Even though the surgery didn't happen, Chelsea still needed that money because she didn't have any siblings, and there was no help from her mother. She had to go through everything alone until her father's burial.

At the hospital yesterday, Chelsea had wanted to demand answers from her mother since it was her actions that led to Tomas's illnesses.

However, Chelsea realized that she had no power, so she decided to seek revenge in a different way. Not just any revenge, but one that her mother would truly feel. The pain had to be double the pain that her father experienced during his lifetime.

"Okay, I apologize for not being able to approach Vano yet, as my father passed away yesterday. And I've already used around $2500 of the money, the rest is in my account. Can you send me your account details so I can transfer the remaining amount to lighten my debt a bit? And if you don't mind, I will change Vano's mind and make him agree to the marriage with the woman you like. I also want to express my heartfelt thanks for trusting me."

That's roughly the content of the message Chelsea sent to Carlos before she entered her home, attending to the neighbors who came to pay their respects. Tonight, a religious gathering was planned in the small rented house.

Carlos, upon receiving Chelsea's message, smiled appreciatively at the honesty the girl displayed. He immediately instructed his trusted personnel to find out Chelsea's address.

It wasn't difficult for Carlos to find Chelsea's whereabouts since she had mentioned being in the same university as Vano. That meant it was enough to search through the university's records to find her address.

After acquiring the information he needed, Carlos hurried to visit Chelsea at her rented house. He arrived as a guest offering condolences for her father's passing. When he got there, Carlos blended in with the other mourners, praying for Chelsea's strength in facing life after her father's demise.

While there, there was a conversation that caught Carlos's interest. Chelsea's neighbors whispered among themselves, calling her mother heartless and shameless. They mentioned her mother's promiscuity while her husband was seriously ill.

Carlos could only sigh and shake his head in disbelief, cursing Margareth, whom he had no idea was the woman he had admired for so long.

Lost in the neighbors' conversation, Carlos didn't realize that there was a woman standing at the main door who retreated as soon as she spotted him. The woman appeared shocked because Carlos had suddenly appeared in her daughter's home.

"Why did he come here?" Margareth was utterly surprised that Carlos was there, as far as she knew, he didn't know Tomas.

All this time, Margareth had been changing partners and seeking wealthy men, but she always ensured that these men had never been involved with her husband's company in the past. She was confident that Carlos was not one of them.

Terrified of being exposed, Margareth abandoned her intention to enter and postponed her plan to retrieve important documents related to Tomas's death. If she had those documents, it would be much easier for her to marry Carlos.

Unfortunately, her plans had to be postponed because the man she intended to marry was present.

"What is Uncle doing here?" Chelsea asked when she saw Carlos among the mourners.

"I came here just to express my condolences for your father's passing. As a friend and a colleague, I felt it was my duty to come." Carlos replied calmly.

"Thank you for your condolences, but I hope this is the first and last time you come here, because I don't want others to think badly of me."

"No need to be too confident. I came here because my human nature guided me to, not to get used to seeing you here. Remember, your task is to seduce my son, not to be a sugar baby as we discussed."

"Alright, if you say so." Chelsea forced a smile.

"Oh, by the way, I didn't see your mother. Where is she?" Carlos looked around, searching for the woman who had been the topic of conversation among the neighbors.

"Don't ask about her whereabouts, because to me, she's just a heartless snake of a woman with no conscience." Chelsea sighed. Discussing her mother's character was truly suffocating.

Especially considering how cruelly that middle-aged woman had insulted and judged her own husband.

Carlos nodded. He had suspected as much, but he thought that as a woman, Chelsea's mother should have some humanity left in her.

After all, the man who had just departed forever was her own husband. Wasn't there even a trace of love left in her heart, especially since Chelsea was between them?

"If that's the case, I'll take my leave. I can only pray that your father is accepted in His presence, and that you're given strength. If you need a job, just come to the office. We have job openings that you can apply for. It's just an ordinary staff position, but it can at least provide some income for you. Moreover, I noticed you have several unpaid bills at the campus."

"Thank you," Chelsea declined. "But I can find a job elsewhere. Now that my father is no longer here, I can focus on working."

"Yes, that's why accept this assistance from me. And as for the remaining money from yesterday, keep it as a reserve. Use it for prayers, repairing the grave, and other expenses. I'm sure you'll still need that money until your next paycheck."

Chelsea raised her face, looking at Carlos who genuinely seemed to want to help her.

"Don't thank me like that." Carlos teased. "Once again, I remind you, I'm doing this out of human decency."

"It's fine, you can perceive this however you want. The point is, I accept all this kindness. Thank you." Chelsea expressed her gratitude honestly.

"Well then..."

"Chelsea...!" a voice exclaimed, causing both Chelsea and Carlos to turn towards the source of the sound.

"Indri?"

"Sorry, I'm late. My mother was admitted to the hospital, so I just got here. You've been strong. Dad is no longer in pain." She hugged Chelsea immediately, ignoring Carlos's presence.

"It's okay. I understand, In," Chelsea sobbed. Finally, she could cry. She had been holding back her tears all this time, but now she broke down. Chelsea truly needed someone to lean on in life, and Carlos understood that.