From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent ( Anthea )
Chapter 276

Cheating was an unforgivable sin, especially when it was someone like Malcolm who did it time and time again.

To let him walk away with nothing would be letting him off too easy.

After all, Lizzie's mom, Gina, had given nearly two decades of her best years.

Hearing that, Lizzie looked up at Anthea, stunned.

Divorce?

Since discovering her father's infidelity, the thought of her parents splitting up had never crossed her mind.

She still harbored hopes of winning back her father. "Annie..."

Anthea continued, "Lizzie, can you tell us about Gina?"

Lizzie nodded, tears brimming as she spoke of her mother.

No one knew Gina better than her daughter.

As Lizzie spoke, her sorrow deepened.

Gina had devoted her prime years to Malcolm, and Malcolm had betrayed her as she approached her twilight years.

There could be no greater tragedy.

"That jerk!" Tanya slammed her hand on the table, unable to suppress her rage. "He's nothing but scum! A man like that doesn't deserve to be your dad! And he sure as hell doesn't deserve your mom!" Tanya was genuinely furious.

How was Malcolm any different from those typical bad guys in old tales?

And poor Gina was still in the dark.

Realizing she may have gone too far, Tanya quickly added, "Lizzie, I'm angry at the situation, not at you. Don't take it personally!"

Anthea brought over three milkshakes, handing one each to Lizzie and Tanya. "Lizzie, your mom's strong and kind. She's given so much for your family. If you keep hiding this, you're not protecting her but hurting her! As a wife and a mother, she has every right to know the truth!"

"But what if... what if she can't handle it? I've talked to a counselor before, and they said that as their child, it's best not to get involved in my parents' affairs, so I've kept it to myself..."

Anthea frowned. "Are you sure the person you consulted was a professional?"

Lizzie nodded.

Tanya scoffed, "What kind of lousy advice is that? I hope that stupid expert gets a taste of their advice. Let her replace out her husband's cheating and her kid getting the same terrible guidance!" Anthea continued, "That 'expert' is all wrong. To put it bluntly, they've got it all twisted. No decent person would ever defend a homewrecker and a cheater! You must understand how much your mom has sacrificed for this family over the years!"

After a pause, Anthea asked, "Lizzie, are you afraid your mom might do something drastic, like hurting herself or worse?"

Lizzie sighed and nodded.

Anthea said, "Lizzie, your mom's a grown woman. They say women are fragile, but mothers are invincible. Her resilience is far stronger than you can imagine!"

"So, you're saying... my mom won't do anything rash?" Lizzie clung to that hope like a lifeline.

"No, she won't! You must believe in your mom. She's a strong person. She wouldn't throw away her life over a man!" After all, Gina had built a life from scratch in Cloudcrest. It was clear she wasn't the type to give up easily.

Anthea pressed on, "The truth always comes out. If you keep shielding your dad and hiding the truth from your mom, and once the truth comes out, she might be pushed over the edge."

"Lizzie, remember. Your mom went through much to bring you into this world. In your family, you should be on her side. When she confronts disappointment and betrayal, you should stand by her, not cover for your dad! Doing that might make her feel like an outsider, and if it comes to that, you might lose her for good."

Anthea wasn't being dramatic.

Gina was the victim! Her two decades of devotion could end up being for nothing if she found out her husband and daughter had betrayed her.

Even as a bystander, the thought was heartbreaking.

Hearing that, Lizzie panicked, shaking her head vigorously. "No! That's not it! I don't see my mom as an outsider. I never have..."

She wanted to protect her mother, not see her hurt.

"But by hiding the truth," Anthea said, looking into Lizzie's eyes with a stern expression, "you are treating her like an outsider. Put yourself in her shoes. Wouldn't you feel utterly betrayed if you were your mom and learned the truth, wouldn't you feel utterly betrayed?"