Chapter 66


    I hopped into my car, pulling away from my home and heading straight for Blossom Valley Elementary


    School, a prestigious institution housing both elementary and middle school students. My son, Probert,


    was a second-grader there.


    Due to my health issues, Probert had been staying with the Dawson family, cared for by his


    grandmother. It had been quite a while since I hadst seen him.


    Arriving at the school, it was still a bit early, so I parked a little further away and sat in the car, watching


    the school entrance.


    As the first-graders began to trickle out, I sat up straight, eyes glued to the school gate, scanning the


    parents picking up their children for any sign of Marissa.


    I hadn''t seen her for years. Looking back, I realized how naive I had been, underestimating human


    greed and cing too much trust in Jan and Marissa.


    In retrospect, my decision to ask for her help in managing Jan before I left was foolish to the


    extreme! Betrayal of this kind was more painful than physical torture. The fury it stoked could obliterate


    everything.


    Reluctantly, I had to admit, times have changed, and people along with it.


    Finally, I spotted her among the crowd. A canary yellow knit dress hugged her curvaceous figure, a


    brown scarf draped around her neck, and a matching Hermes bag hung from her arm.


    Her wavy hair was pulled back in a ponytail, entuating her refined elegance. Her face was not


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    particrly striking, but the yellow dress brought out a certain charm and allure.


    She looked every bit the wealthy housewife.


    Instinctively, I nced at my reflection in the rear-view mirror. My short, faded hair, and my dull skin.


    This was an improvement from when I had just woken up from my illness, when I looked more like a


    corpse than a living being.


    My hands clenched the steering wheel, a fire of rage burning brighter within me.


    What was even more unbearable was the plump woman standing next to Marissa. It was my mother-in-


    happily.


    The joy in Hazel''s eyes was intoxicating. They greeted other parents with warm smiles and friendly


    waves. It seemed that the Dawson family had already epted Marissa, perhaps even forgotten my


    existence.


    I remembered when their family of six or seven lived in a tiny apartment less than 500 square feet. If it


    hadn''t been for me, they might still be living in those conditions.


    It was the Wilburn family money that enabled them to move into a spacious 2000 square foot t, and


    yet theypletely disregarded the person who had pulled them out of poverty.


    At that moment, I wanted to get out of the car, give them a surprise, and remind Jan''s mother that I


    was still alive, and it was too early to make Marissa thedy of the house. But the next moment, I saw a


    chubby little boy running out of the school gate and directly into Marissa''s arms.


    I quickly pulled my hand back.


    Marissa gently cleaned the sweat on the boy''s forehead, then pointed to Hazel. The boy obediently


    leapt into Hazel''s arms, making herugh with joy.


    Their affection for each other was natural and heartfelt. It was a picture of familial bliss.


    However, Marissa didn''t leave immediately. She continued to stand at the gate with Hazel, asionally


    waving to passing parents.


    I was confused. Could they be waiting for Probert?


    The thought made my heart clench. They were being far too brazen!


    Suppressing the fury in my heart, I decided to stay put and see what would happen next.


    Sure enough, twenty minutester, I saw Probert slowly emerge from the school, his backpack slung


    over his shoulder, a disgruntled look on his face.


    My heart skipped a beat.