From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea )

Malcolm was on the road, his big rig loaded with merchandise for the next delivery.

Could it be an accident?

The thought alone caused Gina's eyes to well up with tears instantly.

"Don't worry, Mom! He's okay!" Lizzie exclaimed through sobs. "He’s okay, and he's got someone else now!"

Saying that felt like lifting a huge weight off her chest.

"What?" Gina couldn't quite grasp what Lizzie meant.

Lizzie continued, "Dad has betrayed you! He's got a mistress! Do you know how he's been spending his allowance of thirty thousand a month? He's been supporting her!"

Gina stood frozen, her face a mask of unreadable emotions.

It took her a moment to collect herself. "Lizzie, dear, stop kidding around! Your father isn't that kind of man!"

She and Malcolm grew up in the same small town, childhood sweethearts who knew each other inside out.

Malcolm was a good, honest man. How could he possibly do such a thing?

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Impossible!

Lizzie knelt before Gina. "It's true. It's all true..."

Gina turned away. "No, it can't be! Lizzie, you must be mistaken about your father!"

"No, I'm not!" Lizzie pulled out several photos and a bank statement she printed at Anthea's house. "Mom, this is the evidence! And he admitted it to my face!"

Gina's hands trembled as she took the photos, tears streaming down her cheeks.

How could it happen?

The man she had loved for over twenty years had betrayed her.

How could this be?

"Mom, get a divorce! And don't worry. You'll always have me!" Lizzie continued, "We can't let him have a penny of the family money! You worked your fingers to the bone for that, not for it to go to some homewrecker!"

Gina pulled out a tissue, swiftly wiping the tears from her face, pretending nothing had happened, and smiled at Lizzie. "Lizzie, this is something for us adults to handle. You don't need to worry about it! Your job is to focus on your studies!"

"Mom?"

Gina patted Lizzie on the shoulder. "Trust me. I know what to do. You have exams coming up, and don't let this mess with your head!"

She felt guilty for not noticing her husband's strange behavior earlier and burdening Lizzie with these adult problems.

It wasn't something a child should worry about.

She shouldn't let adult problems affect her child.

If it affected Lizzie in any way, she would regret it for the rest of her life.

Gina tucked away the pictures and the bank statement. "I have things to do downstairs. Lizzie, go rest in your room! I'll start cooking dinner at six-thirty."

Gina's calm reaction unsettled Lizzie. "Mom."

"Lizzie, I'm okay."

With that, Gina headed downstairs, interacting with the staff as if it were just another day.

Lizzie returned to her bedroom and lay on her bed, overwhelmed by a torrent of emotions.

At six-thirty, Gina came upstairs right on time to cook dinner.

As dinner was ready, Malcolm returned.

"Wow, it smells amazing! What's on the menu tonight, honey?"

Carrying dishes out from the kitchen, Gina looked at her husband, feeling like he was a stranger.

"You're back. Wash your hands. And we need to talk. We'll eat after."

Gina's tone was even, but Malcolm sensed something was off.

Yet when he looked at her again, she seemed just like any other day, so he went to wash his hands, then came out smiling, "What's so urgent that it can't wait until after dinner?"

Gina glanced at Malcolm. "If we don't clear it up now, I'll be too nauseated to eat."

At those words, Malcolm felt a twinge of panic.

“Could Gina know about it?” he thought, “Surely not. Daughters are supposed to be daddy's baby girls. Lizzie wouldn't betray me.”

Malcolm smiled, trying to play it cool. "What are you talking about? You're making it a big deal of it."

Gina sat on the sofa, looked Malcolm straight in the eye, and said calmly, "Malcolm, do you even want to keep living this life?"

Malcolm's heart skipped a beat.

Lizzie had spilled the beans!

"Honey, what are you talking about? I don't understand!" Malcolm attempted to bluff his way out.

Gina reached under the sofa cushion, pulled the photos, and tossed them on the table. "How do you explain this?"