From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea ) novel Chapter 168

"How many times do I have to tell you? That woman is no fit to be called your mother!" Janet's voice cracked as she said this, and she was soon engulfed in a fit of coughing again.

"I don't have any pictures of her!"

"But can you at least tell me her name, where she's from?" Gerard persisted, hoping to piece together the puzzle of his origins.

With that information, he could go and find his mother himself.

"I don't know!" Janet's face darkened with a mix of anger and a surge of coughing.

The boy must be out to kill her with worry, she thought.

Janet's chronic cough always flared up with stress.

Gerard gently patted Janet's back. "Grandma, don't get upset. I won't ask you about it again."

Seeing Gerard's response, Janet couldn't help but tear up.

He was a good boy. What a shame he didn't have a good mother.

It was all Carole's fault!

Carole, the unforgivable sinner! And poor Gerard, motherless from such a young age!

Janet held Gerard's hand tightly. "Gerry, there's not a single lie in what I've told you today. If I'm lying, may I be struck by lightning! You might not understand now, but one day, you'll see that I had only the best intentions."

Children are young. They don't understand.

And growing up without a mother, Janet could sympathize.

After a pause, she added, "Ms. Fletcher is a good woman, she’s so devoted to your father. I truly don't want to see him miss out on being with her. You can rest assured, once Ms. Fletcher joins our family, she'll treat you as if you were her own flesh and blood..."

Gerard didn't respond.

Just then, a maid came in with medicine, and Gerard took the opportunity to help his grandmother. "Here, Grandma, let me."

After Janet took her medicine, she drifted off to sleep, but not before making Gerard promise to look out for Edna.

Gerard tucked his grandmother in and left the room.

As he closed the door behind him, the old butler came looking for Janet.

"She's asleep," Gerard whispered, closing the door softly.