Chapter 393


    I was at a loss for words, truly dumbfounded. Never in my wildest dreams had I thought that Monique


    would have such an ordeal. No wonder she used to show that distaste and resistance towards me.


    It was only now that I realized how wrong it was to send her off to that fancy private school in


    Goldenvale Town.


    I should''ve never taken Jan''s advice, which was, in turn, influenced by the high and mighty Dawson


    family.


    Back then, I lost myself and became a yes-woman to everyone. The regret was eating me alive. What


    on earth had I done? Thank goodness I came to my senses.


    Instinctively, I reached out and pulled her into my embrace, gently patting her back. "I''m so sorry,


    sweetheart! It was all my fault. I didn''t take good care of you. But I won''t be sick anymore. I''ll get fit,


    healthy, and watch you and your siblings grow up happy and strong!"


    She clung to me tightly, burying her little face in my chest, her small shoulders shaking.


    My heart ached beyond words.


    Fidelia watched the scene with wide eyes, silent, but I could tell she was filled with envy.


    Out of the blue, Probert piped up with a question, "Mom, if Fidelia is going to study in Silverdale City,


    what about me? I don''t want to go back to that snooty school in Goldenvale Town either. I don''t like it


    there, and I don''t like anything that Grandma Dawson chooses!"


    The little rebel, at odds with Hazel. But frankly, I was relieved. Anything that distanced us from the


    Dawsons'' dreadful deeds was good news. I prayed that when their wrongdoings would inevitablye


    to light, it wouldn''t impact us too harshly.


    I turned to pinch his chubby cheek. "Well, if you want to stay with your grandparents here, I agree. It''ll


    be good for you to stay in Silverdale City and keep your sisterpany. Help her achieve her dreams."


    Probert''s face lit up, and he bounced on his feet excitedly. "Then it''s decided! I''ll study here in


    Silverdale City and help Fidelia with her dream."


    I prodded him further, "And what about your dream?"


    "What''s the rush for me? There''s plenty I can do. I''m going to be strong, like an oak tree, to protect


    Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, and my little brother!" Probert said with a casual confidence that gave me


    hope.


    "And what about me? Won''t you protect me too?" Monique teased, tugging at his arm.


    Probert looked serious for a moment, "Of course, I will. Didn''t I say I''d help you with your dream? If


    that''s not being supportive, I don''t know what is. You can''t get too greedy!"


    We allughed, and the sound even drew my mother in. She joined us, taking a seat beside our merry


    little group.


    I caught Fidelia blinking enviously, standing off to the side, watching our tight-knit family with a touch of


    sadness in her eyes.


    Quickly, I let go of Monique and pulled Fidelia into my arms, not wanting her to feel left out.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Her words sent a jolt through me. Jerome had called her?


    I tried to keep myposure as I asked her, "Your dad called you? When?"


    "Just this afternoon," she replied innocently. New ch?pter av?ble o? Draмаnоvеls.cоm


    "And what did he say?" I pressed on.


    My heart raced with concern.