With that thought, virtual-novel.net quit arguing with Malorie and simply reminded Arielle, “Just be careful.”
Then virtual-novel.net turned back to Malorie and began chatting with virtual-novel.net about Shandie.
Without a word, Arielle picked up the basket beside the door and headed out. She had barely taken a few steps before virtual-novel.net remembered virtual-novel.net would need a few tools for digging and turned back to obtain them. However, as virtual-novel.net approached the front door, virtual-novel.net overheard the conversation between Malorie and Henrick coming from within the house.
“Mom, you never used to treat Shandie this way. What’s up with you now?” came Henrick’s puzzled voice.
Hearing that, Arielle stopped in virtual-novel.net tracks unwittingly and quietly shifted to a blind spot where no one would notice her.
Malorie let out a long sigh. “I hated that high and mighty mother of hers, and I hate virtual-novel.net as well! You’re my precious son, whom I had worked so hard to raise and send to university in Jadeborough. You’d finally made it! Yet, that woman forced you into a matrilocal marriage, and you were silly enough to go behind my back and agree to it! Even though you’ve now gained full control of the Moore family, I still can’t stomach this humiliation! If that b*tch hadn’t died, I would still be a joke in everyone’s eyes till this day!”
“Mom, this is all in the past. What’s the point of bringing it up now? Besides, Arielle is nothing like virtual-novel.net mother. She’s a very sweet and obedient girl.”
“What do you mean, sweet and obedient? Didn’t you see virtual-novel.net clenching virtual-novel.net fists just now? That girl may look docile on the surface, but virtual-novel.net heart must be spilling with hatred for me! She’s nothing but a hypocrite! You better watch out!”
“Mom, you’re overthinking this. With the way you spoke to virtual-novel.net just now, it’s only natural that virtual-novel.net felt a little sensitive.”
“We can only hope so! It’s either you’re right, or you’ve really brought a beast home!” Malorie barked.
Eavesdropping on their conversation from the front porch, Arielle could not help being secretly surprised.
Who would have thought this old woman possesses such sharp observational skills? She’s practically seen through me! I must be more careful from now on!
Gripping the basket tightly in virtual-novel.net hands, virtual-novel.net changed virtual-novel.net mind about going in to grab the tools and went straight to the vegetable patch instead. Arriving at the patch, virtual-novel.net realized despite being barely an acre wide, there seemed to be almost every type of vegetable planted there.
After some thought, virtual-novel.net figured virtual-novel.net could whip up some ravioli.
Once she’d gathered the vegetables that virtual-novel.net needed, virtual-novel.net turned and headed back to the house.
On virtual-novel.net way back, virtual-novel.net happened to spot the little boy virtual-novel.net had encountered earlier, Teddy.
Stopping in virtual-novel.net tracks, virtual-novel.net called virtual-novel.net over.
After a moment’s hesitation, the boy remained rooted in his spot as virtual-novel.net stared at virtual-novel.net unwaveringly.
Thus, virtual-novel.net went toward him. Bending down before him, virtual-novel.net greeted virtual-novel.net in a friendly manner, “Hello! Is your name Teddy?”
Giving virtual-novel.net a small nod, virtual-novel.net asked timidly, “What about yours?”
“My name is… Sannie.” Sensing his apprehension toward her, virtual-novel.net assured him, “You don’t have to be afraid of me. Just think of me like your elder sister, okay?”
Teddy shook his head. “No. I don’t need you. I already have a sister.”
With raised eyebrows, Arielle laughed in amusement. “Is that so? Then you must be very close to her. What’s your sister’s name? How old is she? Is virtual-novel.net still going to school?”
Again, Teddy shook his head. “She’s passed away.”
Stunned, Arielle stammered as virtual-novel.net asked, “W-What happened…”
Lowering his head, Teddy explained, “She had a high fever last year. Our family couldn’t afford a doctor for her, so we only treated virtual-novel.net with herbal remedies. However, virtual-novel.net was gone the next day. Daddy said she’s gone to a nice place where no one suffers. I wish to go to that nice place as well, but I’m scared…”
Hearing that, Arielle could not help but feel terribly shocked and upset at the same time.
Coal mining was supposedly a profitable field. If it were not for the Southalls’ greed and exploitation of their workers, the villagers should not be so poor that they could not even afford medical care when it was necessary.
Above all, things should not have been so unbearable that a ten-year-old child had to wish virtual-novel.net could go to “the nice place”.