Independence

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d want to please Evelyn, but she also had a baby in her belly–what was there to be afraid of?

h that thought, Ingrid could no longer hold back and snapped back at Evelyn. “So what if I bought a couple of bags? Can’t I treat myself a little? Those classes are boring and tedious.

“To be honest, I didn’t understand a single word! The fact that I’ve stuck it out this long shows how much I’ve put up with it.

“It’s just a few bags, and I haven’t even bought enough yet. This is a supplementary card your

your son gave

me, and he hasn’t said a word about it, so why are you so bothered?”

Evelyn was so enraged that her blood pressure skyrocketed. She thought of how, when Miranda was with Hansel, she never cared much for designer brands and rarely asked for luxury items.

Every time they met, Miranda dressed modestly, but her good taste and sense of style made even the simplest outfits look elegant.

Even when she did carry a luxury bag, it was usually because of the occasion or at Hansel’s insistence. Miranda was so much more refined than Ingrid!

Evelyn couldn’t help but say her thoughts out loud.

Upon hearing this, Ingrid let out a cold laugh. “If come back?

ike her so much, why don’t you go and ask her to

“You and Hansel are ridiculous. When Miranda was around, you guys treated her like she was nothing. Now that she’s moved on and wants nothing to do with you, suddenly you miss her?

“Do you know what that’s called? That’s called being patheticl

“I’m not Miranda. I won’t bow down like her and let you walk all over me. If it comes down to it, we’ll go down together, and no one will come out on top!

*From now on, I won’t follow your arrangements or attend those prenatal classes or fashion lessons. If you’re so keen, go take them yourself–do whatever you want!”

With that, Ingrid picked up the scattered shopping bags from the floor and walked away without looking back.

Evelyn’s blood pressure shot up when Ingrid snapped back at her. When she turned, she saw someone filming her with their phone. “What are you filming? Stop it, or I’ll call the police!”

“Ugh, you made a scene and then expect people not to watch? Someone in the crowd muttered before they all started dispersing.

Evelyn stood there as her chest ached from the anger.

This was a mess! What a disaster!

That same night, Evelyn was rushed to the hospital with a relapse of her vertigo.

Tina rushed over as soon as she got the news.

1. n. Evelyn lay there looking frall and sickly with her makeup removed. Her face was as ind she seemed utterly drained of energy.

at time Tina had seen her mother in such a state. She anxiously asked, “Doctor, is my mom okay? Why does she look so pale?”

octor replied, “Mrs. Johnson’s vertigo is an old condition that’s been well–managed over the years. We’ve already examined her; it was mainly the result of intense emotional stress that caused the relapse.

“For the next few days, she needs to avoid any further stress. Keep her calm and let her rest.”

Tina sighed in relief. She saw the doctor out before turning back to see Evelyn groaning with her eyes closed. Martha was busy tending to her, dabbing her with a damp cloth and feeding her soup.

Tina then found a random spot to sit. She grabbed an apple and took a couple of bites. Her eyes showed exasperation as she looked at her mother.

“I heard from Martha that you got sent to the hospital because of Ingrid. I told you long ago that we shouldn’t have allowed that woman to stay in our lives.

“Now just look at you, fussing over that baby she’s carrying, running around making arrangements. See what happened? You ended up in the hospital, and for what?”