Chapter 68
I rose to my feet, clutching Probert''s small hand in mine, with no intention of letting go.
At this moment, Hazel had regained herposure, staring at me with displeasure. "Aaliyah, you are
still ill and yet you are gallivanting around, looking like a mess. You''ve let yourself go!"
Her words hit me like a shard of ice, piercing my heart and sending a shiver throughout my body.
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I looked like a mess?
The irony was not lost on me. I would love to care about my appearance, but wasn''t that all thanks to
the Dawsons? Taking my money, all while wanting to leech off my hard work. Once they''ve had their fill,
they''re ready to kick me to the curb.
Sure, Marissa was all prim and proper, but that was all thanks to my money that she used to spruce
herself up. And now they had the audacity to berate me for my appearance.
Wasn''t it not long ago when Hazel was a struggling mother, her house adorned with hangingundry
and her face worn from worry over her children''s well-being?
Now, draped in pearls and gold, she puts on airs of a wealthy woman. After only a brief taste of the
good life, she''s already looking down on me.
One day, I''ll make sure she remembers what it was like before.
Gritting my teeth, I collected myself and sat down on the sofa, still holding onto Probert. I met Hazel''s
gaze and responded calmly, "Mother, there are good days and bad days with illness. I have to get out
to get some fresh air."
I ran a hand through my short hair, "I had to cut it due to hair loss from the illness. I guess I do need to
care more about my appearance. After all, even you can''t stand to look at me."
Hazel''s disdain was evident. Her attitude towards me was a stark contrast to how she treated Marissa.
She turned her stern gaze towards Probert, "Aren''t you supposed to be doing your homework?"
Probert shrank back in fear, trying to pull his hand away. I tightened my grip, not letting go, and turned
to Hazel, "Mother, did Probert upset you?"
"You should ask him. He can''t even keep track of his school work, always fighting with his ssmates.
He never gives me a moment''s peace. I''ve had enough of him!"
"I''ll take him back with me then. I''m sorry for the trouble he''s caused. You need a break, and I can look
after him for a few days." I jabbed subtly, "The Dawson children are always a handful!"
"You..."
"I remember you once told me that all Dawson children are naughty, even those who don''t excel in
school end up doing well in life! Look, you were right. They''re all doing well in thepany now!" I
continued with a thin smile, "Let me take Probert back, you need a break."
"No, Jan said you''re too ill to take care of your children!" Hazel, taken aback, quickly refuted, "You
should focus on getting better!"
"Yes, I need to recover, but that won''t stop me from taking care of Probert. Your health is also
important, mother. Nobody can predict when illness will strike. And since everyone at thepany is
worried about me, I should look after my own child. Otherwise, it''s not fair." I stood up, "I won''t be
eating here. I''ll take Probert out for a bite, and have a chat with him."
"And what''s that supposed to mean? He''s been here since he was a child, and now you want to take
him away just because you showed up? Are you saying I''ve been mistreating him? If your condition
worsens, we''ll have to bring him back. Who''s he supposed to listen to?" Hazel snapped back, her
words harsh and unforgiving.
"He''ll listen to whoever is right!" My tone hardened, "You''ve done nothing wrong, mother. That''s how
children grow. I''ll be careful this time, I won''t let myself fall ill again."
"And how am I supposed to exin this to Jan?" She stood up, blocking my path.
"Mother! I''m just taking him home for a few days, there''s nothing to exin. If it''s Jan''s decision,
then I''ll call him and ask for his approval." I showed no sign of backing down.
Just as I was about to dial Jan''s number, to my surprise, Jan entered the room.