From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

After hearing the expert’s reply, Lizzie was dumbstruck.

Was she really supposed to keep this from her mom and let her live in ignorance?

Tears began to pool as Lizzie typed out another message, “Dear expert, my mom is the kindest, most hardworking woman. She runs the household by herself, always making sure Dad and I have the best of everything, even if it means going without herself. She loves us so much. Wouldn’t it be cruel to let her stay in the dark?”

By the time she finished typing, tears were streaming down her face.

Torn between her mother and father, Lizzie, their daughter, was at a loss.

Her mom, Gina, was the epitome of a traditional housewife, her world revolving around her husband and

child.

Gina came from a rural background.

She and Malcolm fell in love and moved to Cloudcrest to build a life together. But it was Gina who was the real driving force.

In the beginning, she’d hawk goods up and down the streets, starting her day before the sun and ending well after it had set. Now, she looked a decade older than her peers. Standing next to Malcolm, they looked more like siblings than husband and wife.

Few knew Gina was only 41.

From nothing, she built a small supermarket and became a respected business owner. Honestly, if it wasn’t for Gina, Malcolm wouldn’t have made it this far.

But now, Malcolm had betrayed her.

Had Lizzie not witnessed it firsthand, she would never have thought her dad could be so cold–hearted.

The expert replied again soon after.

“From what you’ve described, your mother sounds like a strong woman. But often, the stronger a woman appears, the more vulnerable she is on the inside. If you tell her about this, it could crush her. She might do something drastic, and you’ll live with regret. If you truly care for her, sometimes it’s kinder to keep her in the dark. Isn’t it better to let her live happily unaware?”

“As children, our job is to ensure our parents‘ happiness. Your dad is happy, and your mom seems happy. Isn’t that enough? Why destroy that happiness with your own hands? Life is full of challenges. You need to learn to let go and grow from them.”

Lizzie listened to the expert’s message, her emotions a tangled mess.

Maybe the expert was right.

What if her mom couldn’t handle the truth and did something extreme?

No. She couldn’t lose Gina. She couldn’t become an orphan.

Lizzie didn’t remember falling asleep, but a

In the dream, Gina, unable to cope wightmare jolted her awake.

the revelation, had jumped from a building. The graphic images of

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blood and brain matter haunted her.

She woke up screaming, “Mom.”

Drenched in sweat, she sat up, the terrible images lingering, making her heart race.

“Ding-” The alarm’s chime pulled her back to reality.

Lizzie silenced the alarm and got ready for school.

“Morning, Lizzie,” Gina greeted as she brought breakfa

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Lizzie, wiping the foam from her mouth, asked, “Where’s dad?”

“He’s still sleeping,” Gina answered.

“Why isn’t he up yet?” Lizzie couldn’t contain her frustration, feeling the injustice for Gina.

In this house, not only did Gina manage their daily lives, but she also took care of the supermarket business.

What did Malcolm do? His biggest task was supposedly stocking up supplies.

Lizzie had believed he was actually going out for supplies. Now it seemed like a mere excuse.

He was probably with his mistress.

Gina was like a nanny, managing everything. And Malcolm? He acted like the lord of the manor, ungrateful and indulgent in his affair.

The more Lizzie thought about it, the angrier she got.

Noticing Lizzie’s mood, Gina furrowed her brow and asked, “What on earth is going on with you? Since last night, you’ve been acting out of sorts. Tell me, what’s the matter?”

Was this just typical teenage rebellion? Gina’s concern deepened.

“Mom,” Lizzie struggled to calm herself and managed a weak smile, “I’m fine.”