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

Malcolm's face drained of color, and he didn't bother to explain. "Since you've figured it out, there's nothing left for me to say. Gina, I'm sorry, but you know as well as I do. Love isn't something you can control!" Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

"I'm asking you just one thing, Malcolm. Me, our daughter Lizzie, our home, or that woman. Who do you choose?"

From a mother's perspective, Gina still wanted to save the family despite Malcolm's betrayal. She was ready to give him a chance if he was willing to repent. Lizzie was already so grown up that Gina couldn't let her child grow up without a father. And with Liz's senior year of high school, a pivotal moment in life, around the corner, Gina didn't want her to face it without her dad or the happy family she once knew.

"I choose you and our family!" Malcolm declared without hesitation.

"Fine," Gina said, her voice tinged with resolve. "I'll give you one more chance."

Malcolm wrapped his arms around her. "Gina, thank you. You're an incredible woman, and I swear I won't let you down again."

Gina sighed, a mix of hope and distress. "When someone comes back from messing up, it's priceless. I hope you mean it."

"I do. I swear it."

When Lizzie came down to dinner and saw her parents acting as if nothing had happened, she was stunned, disbelief written all over her face. She couldn't understand why her mother would forgive her father.

After dinner, under the pretense of a stroll, Malcolm went to Cindy's place. Her eyebrows rose in curiosity upon seeing him. "Weren't you supposed to be with your wife and kid? What brings you back here?"

Malcolm massaged his temples. "Don't ask. She found out about us. I might not be able to see you for a few days."

Cindy's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Your daughter spilled the beans, right?"

Caught off guard, Malcolm asked, "How did you know?"

"I saw Lizzie at the movies yesterday. That girl is sharp, a real piece of work. And honestly, she doesn't care much about you deep down."

Cindy pulled Malcolm into an embrace. "You're not thinking of breaking up with me, are you? I love you. I can't be without you!"

Malcolm kissed her forehead. "Of course not. Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere. We have to lay low for a bit for now."

"And what about your wife?" Cindy prodded. "Aren't you afraid she'll file for divorce?"

Malcolm reassured her. "She won't do it. Trust me."

Cindy clung to Malcolm. "I've been the other woman for five years without any commitment. Don't you think it's time to make things official?"

For five years, she had waited. With the West family's assets topping three million dollars, not to mention the value of the supermarket, they were worth a small fortune. If Malcolm divorced Gina, they'd be splitting millions.

She wasn't with Malcolm for love alone. As a college graduate, she wouldn't have looked twice at a married man if it weren't for the financial stability he could provide.

Watching Cindy's calculating gaze, Malcolm faltered. "I, I thought you cared none about that..."

Cindy's eyes gleamed. "Malcolm, no woman doesn't care about having a proper place in her man's life. But if it's too difficult for you, never mind. I can wait, even if it means having no title for the rest of my life."

At that moment, Malcolm felt Cindy's understanding dwarfed Gina's thousandfold. Gina was just jealous!

So, he had another woman. What guys doesn’t?

He held Cindy closer. "Thank you for being so understanding."

Malcolm's visit was brief to avoid Gina's suspicion, only a few minutes before he headed back.

Lizzie had trailed her father to Cindy's place and then, full of worry, dialed Anthea's number.

"Annie! What do I do? Mom forgave Dad, and he's just returned to that woman!" Lizzie was on the verge of tears.

Anthea's steady and soothing voice came from the other end of the line. "Lizzie, don't panic. Listen to me..."

After talking to Anthea, Liz felt a plan forming. She went home and gathered some things. She headed straight for Cindy's workplace the next day, a multinational corporation where Cindy had climbed the ranks to a mid-level manager.