Barbara's expression suddenly shifted to one of concern. "Mia, why are you home? Isn't your sister still in school?"
Although her words appeared to show genuine concern for her stepdaughter, Mia sensed an underlying message.The witch was insinuating, "Why aren't you taking your studies seriously like your sister?"Barbara was deliberately stirring up trouble in front of her father. Again.But Mia was accustomed to this behavior. Barbara always did this."Yes, why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be in school?" Mia's father bellowed.Yet, Mia couldn't help but be shocked each time her father sided with Barbara, falling into the witch's trap repeatedly. Why? He had never taken her side, not even once."Have you suddenly lost your ability to speak?" Mia's silence started to irritate him."Dad," she looked directly into his eyes, hoping to find a glimmer of affection. "Were you not informed that I fell ill?"Her father's brows furrowed. "Ill?"He glanced at his wife."Yeah, the school called and said she slipped and passed out. They rushed her to the hospital immediately," Barbara said with a slight smile.Then her expression changed to one of shock. "Oh my!""I didn't tell you... I thought I did!" She covered her mouth with her hands.Mia felt a surge of disgust. Liar!Her father was clearly unaware of her situation. However, Mia knew Barbara hadn't forgotten to inform him. The woman deliberately kept the information from her father.But Mia had to admit, the witch knew how to put on a convincing act. It was her skill in acting that allowed her to remain in her father's house for so long."Must be my memory failing me due to old age." Barbara chuckled. "Baby, I'm sorry. Thankfully, here she is, looking healthy as ever."Once again, the witch had managed to turn the tables on Mia, causing her to fall into her father's disfavor.Although Barbara's words seemed grateful and happy that Mia was well, they actually implied that since Mia had made it all the way home, there was nothing wrong with her and she probably faked the entire incident.Mr. Thompson turned his attention to his daughter. "Since you've been discharged from the hospital, why didn't you return to school? Why did you come home instead?"Mia's heart shattered at her father's cold gaze. Was this man truly her father?"Do you think I pay your school fees just for fun? Are you trying to waste my money?!" He yelled angrily.No, this was not the father she once knew. The man had changed completely.Ever since her mother's death, Mia had never found favor in her father's eyes. But when her mother was alive, everything used to be different... until she discovered her father had been cheating on her mother, resulting in Vivian being a few months older than her."If you don't want me to abruptly end your education, return to school this instant!" Mr. Thompson threatened irritably.Mia gasped as tears began streaming down her face. The man had changed completely.Slowly, she tore her blurry gaze away from her father and fixed her eyes on the woman seated beside him on the couch.Barbara wore a triumphant smirk as she observed the miserable Mia. Good for the girl! What did she expect, coming home to meet her and her husband? Did she truly believe they would be upset just because she passed out? She must be a fool.She needed to remind the girl that everything that once belonged to her was now hers and her daughter's. And nothing would change that.Feeling dejected, Mia took slow steps toward the door, tears still streaming down her face as she stepped outside.Sniffling and wiping away her tears with the back of her hand, she noticed the taxi that had brought her there. She suddenly remembered that she hadn't paid the driver yet.Earlier, when they arrived, she had asked the driver to wait, intending to borrow money from whoever she met at home..."Young girl! Why are you wasting my time?! Do you know how long I've been here? You kept me waiting when I should be working!" The agitated cab driver barked at her upon seeing her.Mia sniffled and hurriedly walked down the steps to meet him. "I'm sorry. I truly am sorry." She bowed her head repeatedly.The cab driver huffed, "Well, just give me my money so I can be on my way." Mia's heart skipped a beat. How was she going to explain that she didn't have the money? If she went back inside now, her father might truly cut off her education funds.What was she supposed to do? She fidgeted, her lips quivering."Answer me, girl! You're wasting my time!" The man thundered angrily.His patience was wearing thin due to the girl's indecisiveness.Mia's lips trembled even more. She wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole.Just then, her father and stepmother emerged from the house.The couple had resumed watching their favorite comedy show when they heard the commotion outside. Curiosity led them to investigate.And there she was—the rebellious daughter. Again. Mr. Thompson let out a frustrated sigh. Why was the girl still lingering in his compound?"What's going on?" His deep voice echoed throughout the mansion.The cab driver scanned the man who had spoken. Judging by his attire, he concluded the man was wealthy. Furthermore, the man's authoritative tone suggested he was the owner of this grand house.Clearing his throat, the cab driver spoke up, "This young girl has refused to pay me for my services," pointing at Mia, who simply hung her head in shame.Mr. Thompson fixed his gaze on his daughter. "Is that true?"Mia slowly raised her head, locking eyes with her father.With ragged breaths, she nodded. "Yes."Her father closed his eyes in annoyance. Why did this foolish child always manage to embarrass him?After a few seconds, he opened his eyes."Don't I give you enough money for your expenses?"Mia's head dropped once more, and she bit her lip until it nearly bled. It was her fault. If only she hadn't passed out last night..."Darling, don't be angry with her," Barbara attempted to soothe her husband.Then she added, "Although you give Mia and Vivian the same allowance, Mia might be using her money for other things—she might not find it sufficient."Which insinuated that Mia recklessly spent money on unnecessary things.This further enraged Mr. Thompson. He turned to the cab driver and said, "If she doesn't pay you, take her to the police station. Or do whatever you want with her."Barbara spoke up, "Although you give Mia and Vivian the same amount of money for their upkeep, Mia might have other expenses that the money isn't sufficient for."This statement infuriated Mr. Thompson even more. He swiftly turned towards the cab driver and commanded, "If she fails to provide your money, take her to the police station. Better yet, do whatever you want with her."Angrily, he turned around and marched into the house.Mia's heart shattered as she watched her father's retreating figure, while Barbara's eyes gleamed with triumph as she snickered victoriously.Mia shifted her gaze from the door and fixed her eyes on the woman who claimed to be her mother.Her stepmother clicked her tongue and sneered, "You are a disgrace to this family." With that, she turned and walked inside the house.Tears, which Mia had been holding back, finally streamed down her face. Why was the world so cruel to her?"Ahem." The cab driver cleared his throat, a smug grin stretching across his face.
Mia's mother had found her when she was homeless and starving, living in the slums. With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, Mia's mother took her in.If she didn't treat that woman's daughter well, wouldn't that be considered ungrateful? Wouldn't the deceased be disappointed?After ensuring that Mia was completely out of sight, Madam Grace shook her head and returned to the mansion.—Mia flagged down a taxi by the roadside and returned to the school's dormitory. She had missed the day's classes and needed to copy some notes.She actually wished she didn't have to go back to the dorm, to her room—the room she shared with Martha, her supposed best friend—but what other choice did she have?Like Madam Grace had rightly said, her mother wouldn't be happy to see her in such a state. Mia needed to forget about the past, focus on the present, and move on. Right?As soon as the taxi pulled up in front of the dormitory's imposing iron gates, Mia paid the driver and began walking slowly insid
Martha couldn't just snatch Max from Mia and dump her, just like that. The kids at school would paint her as a bad person. The entire universe would curse her for stealing her best friend's boyfriend. She would be tagged as a "boyfriend snatcher." Her public persona would be ruined, and her whole life would be over.But Martha didn't want that to happen. Never ever. Therefore, she still needed to keep Mia by her side."Thank you, Mia," Martha said, smiling sweetly. However, her smile quickly faded, and she started sobbing wearily.Concerned, Mia asked, "What's wrong?""Mia, will you forgive Max too? Please? It wasn't his fault either. It just happened that way, I swear," Martha pleaded.Mia's face fell. Max, her boyfriend—the only guy she had ever loved in her entire life. How could she stay mad at him? He was a victim too. Like Martha said, things just turned out that way."I forgive Max as well. None of this was your fault, or his.” Mia said softly.Martha flashed a grateful smile, b
The car's exhaust filling up Lucas' nostrils, after the CEO had zoomed off, was what replied the young man. He coughed loudly, waving off the exhaust as he headed back into the corporation. He still had a few things to do before he would call it a day. He chuckled as thughts of his icy cold boss overwhelmed his mind. He was a hundred percent sure that the lady his boss had sent him to go deliver the divorce papers to, had something to do with the man being in a bad mood throughout today.Lucas wondered how the two even got married in the first place... It mush have been that lady's fault. He knew his boss had no romantic relationship going on with any lady... In fact, the man despised women... He's even tagged 'gay lord'. So, how come?He was extremely surprised when his boss had called him in the morning to come pick him up in front of the Bureau's office. But then, thinking about that lady's physical appearance... Earlier on, when he went to hand over the divorce papers... she didn'
Ever since that accident... "Grandpa had a panic attack." The doctor broke the silence and his voice brought Shawn out of his reverie. Panic attack? The young man couldn't help but scoff. His grandfather had a panic attack because that issue? Because he told him he divorced that girl? Just how immensely was the old champ obsessed with him getting married that he'd actually suffered from a panic attack? Doctor Alfred eyed the dangerous man seated in front of him mindfully before speaking. "Mr. Shawn, there's something I think you deserve to know..." His voice trailed off. Shawn stared directly at the man's face as a go ahead. "I'll like for you to digest what I'm about to say well." The doctor chose his words carefully. He couldn't afford to say anything that would offend this formidable man in front of him, or he might spend the rest of his life in jail. He swallowed hesitantly before opening his mouth, "Grandfather is critically ill." He paused to observe the facial
However, now, for his dying grandfather, he'd have to do it. Get married. The search for a wife officially began. Shawn began to make a mental list of all the girls he could choose a bride from. There was none. Absolutely none. He found that all of them were either after his fame, money, or the position of the madam of Beats Corporations. Rubbish. The CEO scoffed exasperatedly. Whether he likes it or not, he has to choose one out of all of those despicable people... He had no choice. And this angered him greatly. Who would he choose to marry?... Right at this moment, something flashed through his eyes. In reality, he was, in fact, already married. That girl... That tiny little girl... The girl from this morning... The CEO pursed his lips. Could she have signed the divorce papers already? But wait. Is he making the right decision by choosing her? Her attitude this morning was... She was just too forward... Look at the way she had jumped at him... Well, she'd made her i
They all expected Mia to have started crying buckets of tears by now, instead, it was the other way round. In actual fact, Mia was exhausted. She'd cried herself to sleep after returning from the hospital last night. There were no more tears in her eyes. She'd poured everything out yesterday. She feels so empty right now.The students clicked their tongues disdainfully at her. At exactly this time, the bell rang, marking the beginning of classes for the day.On after the other, they all rushed to their various classes, leaving behind crying Martha and dry-faced Mia. "Mm-ia, who could have done th-this?" Martha's lips quivered and her body trembled as she wailed uncontrollably. Mia's heart broke at the sight of this and she quickly wrapped her arms around her best friend. "It's okay, stop crying." "No. This is so unfair to you. I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry. How I wish I knew the person that did this...""It's okay. Stop crying--it's not your fault." Mia patted her gently.She smil
After Martha left the table, Max and Mia remained silent, not speaking a word to each other. The atmosphere around them was tense and awkward. Mia immediately regretted not following Martha to the bathroom.Although the harsh words she was hearing around her were heart-piercing, those words weren't as devastating as sitting beside the one person who she loved so dearly, and the both of them acting like total strangers.Max regretted not forcing Martha to stay back with them... It was really so awkward being left alone with his ex. Aish.Several moments passed before he summoned up the courage to speak."Are you okay?" He asked in his cool voice, throwing a sideways glance at Mia.The girl replied by nodding her head. Then she let out a small smile.They both fell silent again.Max bit hesitantly on his lip as he eyed her, "are you angry?" Mia pursed her lips. Again, she nodded her head in response.Truth be told, she realized that she was no longer angry. Instead, she felt sad and emp