Dad was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. Although he was out of danger, he was admitted to the ICU.
Before I could catch my breath, urgent footsteps came rushing over.
“Nina Cole! You jinx!”
Mom lunged forward and grabbed my collar, her eyes full of hatred and rage.
“Your brother’s death is on you! And now, now you’ve gotten your dad hurt like this!”
“Wasn’t it enough to curse your brother to death? You trying to curse your dad too?!”
She screamed hysterically, not caring we were in a hospital corridor.
Grandma followed behind Mom, her face ashen.
Though she wasn’t cursing me out like Mom, the look in her eyes clearly carried blame and fear too.
With Dad in this condition, she was heartbroken as his mother.
Naturally she directed some of that resentment at me, the only person who’d been at the scene.
Mom’s grip hurt, but I looked at her with a cold laugh.
“I’m cursing father and son? Ms. Hayes, that’s really rich.”
“Maybe you’re the one who’s cursed.”
Belle immediately stepped forward to defend Mom.
“Nina, how can you talk to Mom like that?”
“Mom’s worried sick, and you’re still saying things to upset her!”
I snorted and shook off Mom’s hand.
“She’s not my mom, she’s your mom.”
Mom trembled with rage, pointing at me, her chest heaving violently:
“You! You ungrateful brat! I’m your mother! How dare you talk to me like this!”
“Fine! Nina Cole! I’m making this clear in front of your grandmother today! I don’t have a daughter like you!”
“From now on, get lost! Never set foot in the Cole house again! I’ll pretend I never gave birth to you!”
I looked at her coldly, without a trace of pain on my face. Instead, I smiled with complete relief.
Couldn’t ask for anything better–this was exactly what I wanted!
“Great.”
“Cut ties? That’s exactly what I want!”
My quick agreement clearly caught Mom off guard. She was speechless, her face turning bright red.
Belle timely threw herself into Mom’s arms, sobbing:
‘Mom, don’t be like this… Nina’s just saying things in anger… You still have me…”
Mom held Belle tightly.
Yes! I still have you! Belle, sweetheart, thank God I still have you…”
he cried while glaring at me viciously, looking at me like I was her enemy.
stood aside, coldly watching this “loving mother and filial daughter” scene, feeling nothing but disgust.
ust as Mom was crying her heart out while holding Belle, two uniformed police officers suddenly walked over.
Excuse me, which one of you is Belle Cole?” one of the officers asked.
Our whole family froze, all eyes focusing on Belle.
Belle’s body stiffened for a moment, but quickly resumed her fragile demeanor:
I… I am. Officer, what’s this about?”
One officer pulled out his badge. “We’re from the city police criminal investigation unit.”
We’re currently investigating the shooting that occurred at the city library a few days ago. We need to understand ome details and would like you to assist with our investigation.”
Mom had been wailing, but hearing the police, she instantly went silent.
What does this have to do with Belle? Belle wasn’t even in the city that day.”
We’re just asking Ms. Belle Cole to come back and assist with the investigation, to help us understand some details. Please cooperate.”
The officer was polite but firm.
Mom didn’t want to let go of Belle, crying out:
“I don’t believe it! My Belle is so good, how could she be involved in some shooting!”
“Someone must be framing her! Nina Cole! Was it you! Are you getting revenge!”
I calmly asked back:
“You say I’m framing her? Then tell me, did you know all along that Belle’s biological father isn’t dead at all?”
Grandma looked at Mom in shock, never expecting her daughter–in–law had been hiding something this big.
Mom’s face instantly drained of all color, her panicked expression so obvious.
I didn’t give her a chance to breathe. “Dad getting hurt this time–he did it.”
Mom went silent immediately, releasing her hold on Belle.
The police took Belle away on the spot. As she walked, she kept looking back at Mom, tears streaming as she called
out:
“Mom, save me! Mom!”
Mom collapsed to the floor, covering her face with both hands, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
Grandma’s face was ashen, her voice trembling:
“You… you’ve been having an affair this whole time!”
“That Marcus Waters isn’t dead at all? You’ve been in touch?”
Mom looked up, her face covered in tears, about to explain.
Grandma suddenly clutched her chest, swayed, and fainted.
“Mom!”
I watched all this coldly, not stepping forward to help.
