“Hey, don’t keep thinking about work. As a woman, you can’t focus solely on your career.”
My mom knew I took my career seriously. Therefore, my excuse didn’t raise her suspicion, but she gazed at me with much concern.
“I got it, Mom. Don’t worry about me. I’ll take good care of myself.”
Flashing her a faint smile, I couldn’t help feeling a pang of guilt within my heart.
The surgery was scheduled in the afternoon, so I kept my dad company, chattering with him in the ward the entire morning. A lump formed in my throat at the sight of his grey hair.
A long while later, my mom pulled me aside and questioned, “Anna, what happened between you and Justin? Why did you cancel the wedding out of the blue?”
Previously, I had only informed my parents over the phone that the wedding had been canceled. I hadn’t bothered explaining the reason behind the cancellation as I didn’t want to worry them.
“Nothing much. It’s just that we’re not compatible with one another, so we canceled the wedding.”
At the mention of Justin’s name, my heart skipped a beat, and I couldn’t bring myself to meet her gaze.
My relationship with Justin was over, so I didn’t want my parents to get edgy because of me and that scumbag.
“I know you’re lying to me. You’re my daughter. I know you from the inside out. Over the years, you’ve been head over heels in love with Justin. How could you suddenly realize that the two of you are incompatible with one another? Are you hiding anything from me?”
Undoubtedly, she understood my personality, that I had always been one who suffered in silence. That was why she didn’t believe in a single word I said.
The woman clearly knew how smitten I was with Justin, and how I used to yearn to tie the knot with him. With that, anyone would suspect the abrupt cancelation of the wedding, let alone my parents.
Under her interrogation, I spilled the beans that Justin had an affair with Mabel. I also told her that they even had a child now.
Infuriated, she jumped to her feet in a flash. “He’s too much! How could he do that to you? Anna, you must have been blind to have fallen for a jerk like him!”
“Mom, calm down. Let bygones be bygones. It’s pointless to get all worked up for such a man.” I took her hand and comforted her.
The mere thought of Justin filled me with repugnance. The man could no longer affect me emotionally. Perhaps I had truly gotten over him.
“I’m not angry. I’m just worried that you might be upset. After all, you’ve been together with him for so long, and I can tell you love him deeply. How could he do such a horrible thing to you!” My mom sighed in distress.
“Mom, it’s all in the past now. Let’s not dwell on the matter. I’ll ask the doctor about Dad’s condition.” I patted her shoulder and dropped the subject.
Striding out of the ward, I breathed a long sigh before heading toward the office of my dad’s attending doctor.
My heart was set at rest once I found out from the doctor that my dad’s condition was ideal for surgery, and the risk was rather low.
Later, I bought lunch near the hospital. On my way back, I bumped into Natalie at the entrance.
Initially, she was supposed to come together with me in the morning. However, her supervisor didn’t allow her to take a day off, so she could only pay us a quick visit at noon.
As the two of us sauntered toward the ward, Mabel’s voice sounded behind us unexpectedly.
“Anna Garcia!”
Natalie and I stopped in our tracks in unison, turning around to look at the woman, who was strutting toward us arm in arm with Justin.
It had been a long time since I last met the couple. Knowing that Mabel was up to no good, I disregarded her, took Natalie’s hand, and marched away.
Nevertheless, there was no way Mabel would let me off so easily. Sure enough, her sardonic voice echoed in the air right after we took two steps ahead.
“Anna, why are you avoiding Justin and I like the plague? Aren’t you going to greet us? We’re your long-time friends after all.”
Despite my annoyance and her attempt to pick on me, I refused to deal with her now. My dad was going to undergo surgery later, so I wanted to steer clear of any trouble.
However, the short-tempered woman beside me grabbed my arm and turned around to glare at Mabel.
“Oh, it’s you, homewrecker! Are you here to show off that you’ve climbed up the ladder?” Natalie snapped mercilessly with a contemptuous expression.
In a split second, Mabel’s face contorted with fury, and she gave Natalie a death stare.
“Natalie, this is none of your business. Why must you meddle in our affairs every time?”
Displeased by Natalie’s protectiveness, the woman shot daggers at her.
“Anna’s business is mine too, and I’ll always have her back. I can’t stand your ugly, mean-looking face. Justin must be out of his mind to choose a woman like you!”
Though Mabel was malicious, Natalie wasn’t an easy target. With both hands on her hips, the latter stomped forward, pointing at the other woman’s nose with her index finger. Disdain was written all over her face, as though Mabel was the most despicable person she had ever encountered.
Without saying a word, my gaze riveted on Justin’s face. His expression turned awkward when he locked eyes with me.
Mabel’s irritated face turned as white as a sheet. Raising her hand, she aimed it at the face of the woman facing her. Aghast, I turned to glance at Natalie.
Thinking that she was going to be slapped, I was troubled, but it was too late for me to stop her now.
However, Natalie seemed to have anticipated her move. Fuming with anger, she caught and gripped Mabel’s hand in mid-air.
“Mabel, what the heck? Did you just try to slap me?” she questioned in a frigid voice.
Flinging Mabel’s hand away, Natalie lifted her hand and gave the woman a tight slap on the face.
Slap! A resounding smack reached our ears. Instantly, a red palm print appeared on Mabel’s fair cheek.
Other than Natalie, everyone present was nonplussed, and I was no exception. Never in my wildest dream had I expected Natalie to hit Mabel. All of us were in utter disbelief.
Mabel was stunned for a moment, but she soon recollected herself, and her face contorted with rage. ”Natalie, who the hell do you think you are? How dare you slap me!”
She shot daggers at my friend. Her ear-piercing voice attracted the attention of many people around us, and they all turned to stare at us, who were causing a commotion.
