Chapter 241

S21 71. Bitter Reality

Melanie got up and walked quickly towards her daughter. The others immediately stepped aside, while Emily ran towards Philip. Barbara quickly protected her wound.

“Oh, my sweet daughter. Are you not sick anymore? People said you needed to be hospitalized for a few days. I wanted to visit you, but they didn’t allow me. They were afraid I would be hysterical.”

Melanie stroked Barbara’s hair, as she usually did. However, Barbara felt strange. She couldn’t even smile

“Yes, I’m getting better. How are you Mom? Are you getting better too?” Her voice was hoarse.

“I’m not sick. I just miss you, Darling. But now, you’re home. There’s nothing more for me to worry about. As soon as your dad comes home, we’ll have dinner together, hmm?”

Everyone was stunned. They glanced at the officers standing guard near the door in unison.

“Why is my mother like this? Are you taking care of her properly? Barbara sighed, as Melanie continued to play with her hair.

Before the officer could answer, Melanie suddenly pointed her fi at Philip. “Darling, who is this man? Is he the man you chose?”

Philip stared wide eyed, and so did Emily. The little girl kept to sh backwards, not caring if her shoes met Philip’s.

Meanwhile, Barbara’s tears spilled harder. “Yes, he’s my boyfriend, she said sadly.

Melanie’s laughter echoed. Cupping Philip’s face, she shook her head slowly.

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“Finally my daughter chose a guy. What is your name, Young Man?”

Philip’s lips trembled. He didn’t know whether the truth could be accepted or not.

Before he could answer, Barbara interrupted, “Phil. His name is Phil.”

“Phil?” Melanie’s eyebrows pressed against her forehead. Her eyeballs shook as if checking her memory.

“That’s a great name. What about your business, Phil? What company do you run?”

Philip swallowed hard. “I work with the Harper family.” He didn’t want to fake his identity.

“You’re working with the Savior?” Melanie’s tone rose. The people around her turned alert. Emily, who was shriveled in front of her, started to pout.

However, after one breath, Melanie patted Philip on the shoulder. ” Your business must be big for Savjor to want to cooperate. It’s not wrong for Barbara to choose you. You definitely promise a brilliant future. I hope you don’t disappoint my daughter, hmm?”

“Yes, I will take good care of Barbara. You don’t need to worry.”

Melanie nodded. “My daughter is a spoiled child. She is a bit timi and lazy. I hope you can accept that and not force her to work.”

Philip glanced sideways. Barbara was wiping her face which was tilted upwards.

“Yeah, I won’t force her.” Philip looked at Melanie with a strange. feeling. Moreover, the woman now had a sad expression.

“But, despite that, my daughter is the loyal type. Once she loves you she will follow you anywhere. She will always defend you and be o your side, no matter what happens.”

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Barbara let out a sob. She never thought she would hear those words

from her mother.

Melanie looked at her in surprise. “What’s wrong, Darling? Why are you crying?”

Barbara fanned her face. “Nothing, Mom. I’m just touched.” She tried. to smile, but her tears only got heavier.

“Oh, My Daughter, stop crying. Don’t show your ugly face to your boyfriend.”

Barbara shook her head. She was no longer able to speak. Without caring about the wound or the arm sling, she hugged Melanie with

one arm.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I’m sorry I couldn’t be with you until the end.”

Melanie laughed. She patted Barbara’s back gently.

“It’s okay. Everyone has the right to make a choice and get married. You can’t continue to live with me. The important thing is,” Melanie suddenly whispered, “you should give me enough every month.”

The trembling in Barbara’s body became stronger. She realiz her mother was no longer in the same world. Melanie had fall the world of her dreams. She forced her imagination to be real.

While Barbara was still sobbing, Melanie gave a spotlight on E

Her brows furrowed. Her smile faded.

“Darling,” she pulled away, “who is this cute girl?”

Emily gasped. Her eyes widened and her neck rose. When Melan pinched her cheek, she could only hold her breath.

“She’s…Phil’s niece,” Barbara’s vocal chords twisted.

However, Melanie didn’t care. She stroked Emily’s hair and looked a

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her warmly. “Gosh, this child is so cute. It must be because her background is guaranteed.”

With burning enthusiasm, Melanie patted Philip’s arm. “Phil, aren’t you excited to see your cute niece?”

Philip was flabbergasted again. Blinking, he forced his head to move.” Yeah, she’s very cute.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Propose to Barbara. If you get married, your children will be as cute as her. The sooner I can hold my grandchildren, the more complete my life will be.”

Philip froze. Those words should sound beautiful to his ears. However, he realized that Melanie was looking at someone who was

not himself.

“Yes, I will propose to your daughter soon,” Philip said flatly. Not because he was pretending, but because he felt sorry for Barbara. He couldn’t bear to see the girl sobbing and holding back deep heartache.

Meanwhile, Kara felt sorry for her husband. Frank was staring at Melanie’s warmth towards Barbara. Even though the man didn’t express or make a sound, Kara understood that it was a longing loo

Arriving at home, Philip and the twins immediately accompanied Barbara to her room. They seemed very worried about the girl. Witnessing it, Frank took a deep breath.

“Frank, are you okay?” Kara stroked her husband’s arm.

Frank blinked. Seeing Kara’s gentle gaze, he raised the corners of his lips. He forgot there was still one person noticing him. “Of course.”

“You know you can tell me anything, right? Including the burden on your heart?”

Frank’s lips flattened again. Little by little, the curve reversed its direction.

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“What is it?” Kara whispered, quieter.

Frank sighed faintly and looked down. He realized that there was no point in hiding his worries from his wife.

“I’ve tried not to think about it. But it turns out….”

“It bothers you?”

Frank nodded. “I can’t understand. Why does my mother hate me so

much? Did you see it earlier? Even in conditions like that, she still remembered Barbara. Meanwhile, I-”

Frank’s breath hitched. “She didn’t even recognize me, Kara. Even until the end, she never hugged me sincerely.”

“Hey, it’s okay.” Kara pulled Frank into a hug. “It’s okay if you feel sad.

You’re a human.”

Leaning his head on Kara’s shoulder, Frank took a deep breath. “I feel bad because I’m jealous of Barbara. I don’t hate her, but just for once, I wish I could be in her position. I want to know what it’s like to be loved by my own mother.”

Kara patted Frank on the back. Her expression was also gloomy.

“It’s okay, Frank. It’s really okay. Don’t feel guilty about your feeling The reality you’re facing is complicated,” she whispered.

Frank didn’t answer. He just shifted his head, as if hiding in the cro of his wife’s neck.

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