Clarissa did not expect that Catherine would bring up the matter.
She parted her lips in an effort to answer but was stopped by Catherine.
“Of course, I don’t have too many days left to live. In the future, if you’re still determined to be with each other with no regrets, then take my advice—don’t be too naive like you used to. You have to look out for yourself, especially now that you have a child; you should strive for him. It’s fine to listen to the man’s promise, but you should always beware of that family and never back down. Don’t give them the impression that you’re an easy target just because you have a humble beginning. I want you to hold your head high and remember that you’re no less than anyone.”
Clarissa knew Catherine’s intention well, and tears welled up in her eyes. “Grandma—”
“Don’t cry. There’s nothing to cry about. You didn’t even shed a tear when you suffered such mortification back then, so why cry over such insignificant matter now? Your tears shouldn’t be rolling down for me; it’s meant for moments when you’re hurt. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Grandma. I know. I know you’re doing all of this for me. I’m such a disappointment; I’m good for nothing…”
Clarissa couldn’t hold it any longer, and tears trickled down her face. Her eyes were reddened, and she regretted shattering Catherine’s heart with her resort of being with that man and causing Catherine to be mortified together with her.
In contrast, Catherine wasn’t as worked up as her granddaughter was, probably because she had made peace with it.
Instead, she laughed lightly and stroke Clarissa’s hair as she replied softly, “Stop beating yourself up. Now that I think about it, everything in our life is destined, and all that you’ve gone through are ordeals. Your remaining journey will be better as you lived through them. Besides, you’re not to be blamed for it. We’re but an ordinary family, but as long as we have a clear conscience, we won’t have to face death with fear and uncertainty. Conversely, for those prominent and well-off families that have committed nasty doings, they’ll also face the same death and God’s judgment as we do. Every one of us will get a square deal before God. Clare, as long as you and Damian are living a contented life, I’d be glad.”
One tended to believe more in destiny as one got older; the same could be said for Catherine.
She was not afraid of death. For her, it was a natural thing to happen when the time came. Hence, she was able to come to terms with everything that happened, which was why she didn’t mind too much by then.
“Alright, no more crying.”
Catherine comforted Clarissa. “Now, tell me something interesting about Damian. I’m interested in listening to stories about him now. It’s such a downer to see you cry.”
Her teasing tone somewhat relinquished the burden within Clarissa.
It was then that she started storying Catherine about Damian’s life in D City. Catherine wouldn’t stop smiling radiantly and complimenting how adorable and bright Damian was as she listened to her.
That night, Catherine went to bed earlier than usual, whereas Damian was particularly energetic after taking a nap in the afternoon.
Clarissa passed him the tablet to video call with Matthew, giving him the opportunity to showcase his chatterbox skills.
As with Clarissa, she sat at the side, reading the drafts of several authors with whom the studio would contract and occasionally joined in their conversations.
However, even when she was just listening from the side, she was very amused as Damian never ran out of topic to talk about. Children’s minds were full of imaginative and wild ideas, and what astonished Clarissa the most was that Matthew was able to play along with Damian’s fanciful ideas, and he could really answer him brilliantly.
That was where Matthew’s strengths lay.
Compared to him, Clarissa didn’t seem clever enough. Back then, Damian’s inane questions which startled her made her shudder to think what kind of wilder and even more bizarre questions were ahead of her. But right in that instance, she realized the importance to have an intelligent parent at home.
After putting Damian to sleep, at last, Clarissa spoke to Matthew, “It’s getting harder and harder to coax him now. I’ll be swamped with questions when he refuses to sleep. I’ll leave this task of putting him to sleep to you next time!”
“Sure, you’ll coax our daughter to sleep while I’ll take care of our son.”
Clarissa responded with a chuckle. “A daughter? You wish! And what if we have another son?”
“It must be a daughter.”
Matthew disregarded the other possibility altogether.
“But what if? What if it’s a son? Are you going to abandon him?”
“No. It’ll be a daughter just as I said.”
The conclusion was Matthew would not accept the possibility of having another son at all.
Clarissa could foresee how concerned and perturbed she would be if their second child was indeed a son.
No, that’s not how it should be. I must start praying and hypnotizing myself from now on that if I get pregnant this time, it would surely be a daughter.
It has to be a daughter!
…
During her stay in W City, Clarissa did nothing but laze at home. On the weekend, she brought Catherine, Jenny, and Damian out for dinner and shopping.
Even though it was winter, the streets were still crowded with people on a weekend evening.
Along with the other three persons, Clarissa first went to the shopping mall to shop for clothes. She bought some outfits for Catherine and Jenny.
Jenny had been taking care of Catherine as well as housekeeping for them for many years, and she was just like another family member to them. For this reason, Clarissa was very grateful to her. Apart from paying her salary, Clarissa would send her gifts occasionally. Even when Jenny’s daughter got into university, she sent her a cash gift.
Jenny was elated as well, and she couldn’t stop complimenting Clarissa, “Clary, I’m so blessed to have been selected by you to take care of Mrs. Quigley. For so many years now, my friends who have been working together as housekeepers with me are all envious of my fluke to have found a good employer, and you and Mrs. Quigley are both so friendly. It’s really fate that has brought us together, and it’s really fortunate that we got along so well…”
On that particular day, Gloria also came out shopping for clothes. Nevertheless, she was impoverished, so she normally bought her clothes from the wholesale market, and when she did come to the shopping mall, she would only pick those clothes that came with discounts.
She happened to bump into Clarissa and others, but she didn’t dare to approach them. Nevertheless, she followed them around secretly and watched how generous Clarissa was spending her money buying clothes for them, including the caregiver. Seeing as such, Gloria was infuriated.
“Mom, what are you doing? Just buy it if you like it!” Mimi raised her head, shifted her gaze from her phone, and gave her mother a look as she said that. Nevertheless, she wasn’t really paying attention.
Gloria yanked her daughter and spoke in a hushed voice, “Of course I want to buy it, but I have no money! Look over there. That damned girl Clarissa is buying clothes even for the caregiver. That’s too much.”
Only then did Mimi notice Clarissa. She seemed to be talking to the caregiver, Jenny. In that instant, Catherine sat down with Damian in a corner, and they were blocked from Mimi and Gloria’s sight by the display rack.
Mimi knew at once what her mother meant. Nevertheless, it was her haughtiness three years ago that had caused Clarissa to miss her chance of getting married to a wealthy man. After three years, they met again before that, but it was still Mimi who ended up screwed.
No matter how foolish Mimi was, she wouldn’t ask for trouble time and again.
She was indeed jealous of Clarissa. Even though she didn’t get married to that wealthy man, she’s still well off.
Even for this point alone, Mimi had no advantage over her at all.
“Alright, just forget it if we can’t afford it. I don’t have money anyway. Come on, let’s leave. Don’t waste more time here; we should return home.”
Mimi yanked Gloria to leave with her, but Gloria seemed reluctant. With her exceedingly limited patience, Mimi ignored Gloria and left the shopping mall on her own.
Watching as Jenny tried on a few more outfits, Gloria grew increasingly disgruntled. Eventually, she couldn’t stand it anymore and walked over.
“Clary, what a coincidence. I haven’t seen you in a long time.”
Seeing that it was Gloria, both Clarissa and Jenny pulled a long face.
“Clare, I don’t need so many clothes; one piece is enough for me. Let’s go.”
Jenny wanted to leave with Clarissa after paying for the clothes, but Gloria stood in their way, looking at Clarissa, and started rather shamelessly, “Clary, you have the money to buy clothes for a caregiver, but I’m also poor, and I’m your aunt. No matter what, you should be helping your aunt as well, shouldn’t you? Even though it was our fault back then, you’re indeed not worthy of a man from such a prominent family. I’d say that the key reason was that you were unlucky to be born into such a humble family as ours. Hence, you shouldn’t be resentful toward me. I wasn’t completely at fault, was I?”
Clarissa kept silent, but Jenny couldn’t bear to listen to the awful things she said.
Instantly, she pushed Gloria aside. Jenny was quite well-built, and so Gloria stumbled and almost fell. Then, Jenny took the opportunity to rebuke her.
“Who do you think you are? There’s really no end to your greed. You took someone else’s money, turned your back against your own niece, and ruined her relationship, and now what? You finished spending all that money and now you turn to Clary, begging for money? Since I’m around tonight, let me tell you what. I’ll not let you bully Clary anymore. Try and ask for money again and I’ll finish you off.”
Jenny’s belligerence was very straightforward. That made Gloria so embarrassed that her face flushed red. In addition to that, everyone in the shop was looking at her, and that made her feel mortifying to the bone. Most importantly, she was also afraid that Jenny would really beat her up.
Seeing as such, Gloria left in a hurry. As with Clarissa, she didn’t even say a word, and the issue had already been solved by Jenny very simply.
Smiling, she expressed, “Jenny, you’re brilliant.”
“Don’t mention it. You’re such a kind soul, Clary. If anyone dares to bully you again, just let me know. I’ll help you teach him or her a lesson…”
Meanwhile, Catherine held Damian’s hand and walked toward them as the farce ended. She didn’t show up earlier because she was afraid that Gloria would take advantage of her to compel Clarissa again. Nevertheless, three years ago, she had already stopped treating Gloria as her daughter.
Catherine acted as though she didn’t see what happened with Gloria and didn’t say a word about it.
As with Gloria, after she left, someone greeted her.
“Gloria? Where are you going?”
Looking at the woman before her who was dressed in an extravagant manner with golden and silver accessories all over, and even a fur coat, she couldn’t remember who she was. Do I know someone who’s so well-off?
The woman smiled and added, “Gloria, don’t you remember me? I’m Judy, the nurse working at People’s Hospital last time.”
“Judy?”
Gloria couldn’t really remember her, but she seemed to be wealthy and friendly, so she didn’t deny it directly.
“It’s you, Judy.”
