Chapter 2574: Chapter 2574

“Dad, please don’t go on about Mara anymore. She’s really been trying hard. She has improved her grades by five spots. If she keeps up the effort, she might still get into a top university.”

Victoria always kept tabs on her sister’s academic progress, but her comments had unintentionally ruffled Mara’s feathers. With a huff, Mara slammed her bowl down on the table.

“Stop it! Are you mocking me? Do you enjoy seeing me get chewed out by Dad even more?” she snapped.

Victoria was taken aback, putting down her fork and knife. “Mara, I didn’t-why would you think in that way?”.

Their father Elton Lewis intervened. “Mara, apologize to Victoria. She’s concerned about you, knows your grades better than you do, and look how you respond to her concerns? Aren’t you afraid of hurting her feelings?”

Mara’s face was the picture of misery. “Dad, you worry about her getting hurt, what about me? Don’t I get hurt too? The moment I say one word about her, you jump down my throat. Aren’t I your daughter too? Why do you always have to treat us differently?”

Elton was livid. “I’d treat you the same if you gave me the chance. Look at your sister-she’s outstanding! And here you are, talking back over a couple of comments. What will become of you?”

Victoria’s expression darkened. She couldn’t understand when her own sister had begun to push her away when she had done nothing wrong. She didn’t want their relationship to become more distant than that of strangers. she had to try to make amends.

“Dad, let’s just drop it. Mara’s probably just in a bad mood.”

Hearing this, Mara glared at her. “All your fault, my dear sister.”

With that, she stormed off to her room and slammed the door shut behind her.

Elton trembled with anger. “Look at that! Poor grades and now she’s got an attitude. She’s nothing like you. How did my two daughters end up so different? It’s like a curse.”

In her room, Mara covered her ears with a pillow. She knew that even there, she couldn’t escape her father’s nagging. Sure enough, he was out there pouring his heart out to Victoria.

Their mother had died in childbirth, leaving him with two precious daughters. He had them both with equal love and care. But as the girls grew up,1 gap between them widened. His hard work seemed lost on his younger daughter, who would argue at the drop of a hat. All he could do was vent to Victoria.

08.18 Victoria tried to comfort him. “Dad, maybe Mara’s just going through a rebellious phase; it’s totally normal. Don’t be too hard on her. Once this period is over, everything will return to normal. Besides, we all have our pride. Criticizing her at the dinner table really hurts her feelings, even if she doesn’t show it. Let’s not talk about these things anymore. As for Mara’s grades, I’ll take care of it. Trust me, we’ll both make it into top universities and make you proud.”

She patted her father’s hand, which only made him appreciate her thoughtfulness more.

“Ah, if only Mara could be as understanding as you.”

Victoria tried to comfort him. “Dad, maybe Mara’s just going through a rebellious phase; it’s totally normal. Don’t be too hard on her. Once this period is over, everything will return to normal. Besides, we all have our pride. Criticizing her at the dinner table really hurts her feelings, even if she doesn’t show it. Let’s not talk about these things anymore. As for Mara’s grades, I’ll take care of it. Trust me, we’ll both make it into top universities and make you proud.”

She patted her father’s hand, which only made him appreciate her thoughtfulness more.

“Ah, if only Mara could be as understanding as you.”