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36
“I just feel like you never really saw me as part of the family…” Claire said with a sad smile. “Let’s go, Camila.”
The birthday party ended on a sour note. Sitting in the car, Claire appeared distant and lost in thought.
“Mom, you still have me. I’ll be with you for life,” Camila said, wrapping her arms around her mother’s shoulders. Claire leaned into Camila’s embrace, with tears trickling down her cheeks.
Camila quickly pulled out her phone and typed a message to Drew. [Drew, I’m giving you two options here. First, pull out the $2 million you invested in your company ahead of schedule. Even if you have to pay a penalty for early withdrawal, you have to do it. And we can pretend none of this ever happened.
If your grandmother and parents refuse to withdraw, don’t blame me for choosing option two. Mom originally paid $700,000 for that
house and we have the bank statements to prove it. I will take legal steps to reclaim what belongs to my mom.]
Drew quickly responded. [Camila, you’re putting me in a tough spot. Withdrawing early will cost a lot, and the house is mortgaged so there’s a monthly loan repayment.]
Camila replied, [That’s your problem. Mom spent her whole life working hard in her shop to save up this money, and we’re still renting. Who’s putting whom in a tough spot? As a daughter, my mom’s already done enough!]
[Camila, I understand. I’ll talk to mom and dad. Wait for my message.]
Camila then messaged Wesley, summarizing the situation. Wesley analyzed the case and confirmed that if a donor’s legal rights were violated, the donation could be revoked. She hoped everything would resolve smoothly without having to go to court.
That evening, Camila stayed at home with her mother. Watching her mom sleep, Camila felt a pang of sadness. The once radiant beauty was now middle–aged. Her features were still delicate but her skin had lost the luster of youth, with crow’s feet creeping around her eyes. Her face was marked with fatigue and melancholy.
Life had dealt her many hardships. Now, Camila was her mother’s only support.
The next day, Camila helped out at the diner, warmly greeting the handful of customers.
“Claire!” Erica, arms laden with items, stood at the doorway, smiling.
One winter when Erica was about seven or eight, she followed her cousin to the beach and was accidentally swept away by a wave. She thought she was going to die. Claire happened to be passing by and without hesitation, jumped into the sea to rescue her.
Erica’s parents were immensely grateful to the lifesaver, offering money and gifts, which Claire declined. Eventually, they asked her to be Erica’s godmother.
Claire quickly wiped her hands with a clean cloth. “What are you doing carrying so much stuff again?”
“My parents brought back these from their business trip,” Erica explained, setting the bags down at an empty table and pouring herself. a glass of water.
“You came at the perfect time. You can give me a ride home,” Camila joked, sitting across from her.
“Ugh, had I known, I wouldn’t have come today, Erica laughed.
“Are you hungry? Eat while it’s hot, Claire said, bringing over a bowl of freshly cooked ravioli.
“I just missed the taste,” Erica cooed playfully.
“You sure know how to sweet–talk,” Claire laughed.
Erica’s phone rang, and she answered to the sound of a child’s cries, “Miss Erica, help! My dad’s going to kill my mom!”