Chapter 1776
Bertha wrapped her arm around her emotionally unsettled best friend, gently comforting her. “Sometimes, life throws us curve balls that we never see coming.” She started. “But Marlinie, I truly believe that Ellinor is a sensible girl. She will understand. You shouldn’t have run away like that.”
Marlinie took a sharp breath and shook her head. “No, I just don’t know how to face her. She was so young back then, so she wouldn’t understand why her mother would abandon her or why she was sent to live with strangers. I truly owe her an apology for leaving her alone all these years.”
Bertha, a mother herself, understood her friend’s guilt and gently patted her back. “Those days are over. Look at Ellinor now. Did you see how well she has turned out? She’s strong and independent. You should be proud of her.”
Marlinie straightened up and wiped away the tears that had started to fall. “I am proud of her, but that doesn’t make up for the years she spent alone. She could’ve been raised in a loving home, not having to be so strong while relying on me. Speaking of it now is too late; I need to do something for her to make up for those lost years.”
Bertha looked surprised. “Marlinie, you don’t need to carry this burden. Ellinor is a sensible girl. She will understand.”
Marlinie shook her head. “No, I need to do something for her. Come, Bertha. I need you to come with me somewhere.”
Caught off guard, Bertha asked, “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see when we get there.” Marlinie took her friend’s hand and led her daughter out of the coffee shop.
The Mendoza family’s residence.
Marlinie found the house based on the address she had remembered.
Bertha, looking at the old mansion through the car window, asked curiously, “Marlinie, who are we here to see?”
Marlinie’s normally calm face hardened. “I’m here to see the man responsible for what happened to me and my daughter.”
With that, she stepped out of the car.
Lea, sitting in the backseat, leaned forward, asking her mother, “Mom, why does Ms. Marlinie seem so scary? She’s usually so gentle.”
Bertha sighed. “When you grow up, you’ll understand. It’s a mother’s love.”
As she saw Marlinie walk towards the mansion, Bertha worriedly got out of the car along with her daughter.
Marlinie rang the doorbell several times, but there was no response, so she started fiercely knocking on the door. Her emotions were clearly on edge. After seeing her like this, Bertha tried to console her. “Marlinie, don’t worry. They might not be home.”
Marlinie continued to knock, fueled by her raging anger and frustration.
Suddenly, a voice came from behind them. “Who are you looking for? Why are you knocking on my door like that?”
Marlinie stopped knocking and turned around. A young woman in her twenties stood there, looking at them arrogantly.
This must be Arnold Mendoza’s daughter.
Marlinie asked her, “Where’s your father?”
Sheila Mendoza looked at the woman standing on her doorstep. She was beautiful and looked younger than her own mother. She wondered what business this woman had with her father. Could it be another of his debts of love?
