Chapter 98

MANNIE'S POV

“Mom, what is this?” My eyes bulged at the sight that lay before me.

For a moment, I just stood there.

Frozen.

My hand still gripped the strap of my bag. My mouth hung slightly open. My mind struggled to process what I was seeing.

Then my eyes slowly drifted to the dining table.

The children were there.

All eight of them.

Their small bodies were hunched over their homework books. Pencils moved across paper. Heads bent low.

Too low.

Too quiet.

Jay’s pencil scratched loudly against the page. Lily’s fingers twisted the edge of her eraser again and again. Tera tapped her pencil in a soft rhythm.

None of them looked up.

Not even Sophie, who usually noticed everything.

It was almost as if they were pretending not to see the scene in the living room. Or maybe… they simply couldn’t bear it.

My chest tightened.

I slowly turned my head back toward the living room. Toward the scene that made my stomach churn.

My mother.

And her, my sister-in-law.

The two of them clung to each other like long-lost family members who had finally reunited after years of separation.

My mother’s arms wrapped around her shoulders. My sister-in-law buried her face into my mother’s chest.

Their bodies swayed slightly as if they were sharing a deep emotional moment.

Tears streamed down their faces.

Or at least… one person’s tears looked real.

The other’s?

My eyes narrowed.

Those tears couldn’t be more fake if she tried. Her shoulders shook too dramatically. Her sobs came too loudly. Even the way she clutched my mother’s clothes felt staged.

I bit my lower lip. A sharp, bitter taste filled my mouth. Resentment flashed through my chest like a spark.

I knew this look.

This was the relationship my mother had always dreamed of having with my brother’s wife.

Warm.

Affectionate.

Like a true mother and daughter.

The kind of bond she always hoped for.

But the woman clinging to her right now?

That woman never cared about any of us.

She only appeared when there was something to gain.

Money.

Benefits.

Connections.

The moment trouble appeared?

She vanished faster than smoke in the wind.

My jaw tightened.

How could my mother not see it?

If it were anyone else, she would notice immediately.

My mother had always been sharp when it came to reading people.

But when it involved my brother’s family?

Her judgment disappeared.

It was as if her eyes were covered by some invisible cloth.

Just the thought made my chest feel tight.

I exhaled slowly.

Trying to control the anger burning inside me.

“Mannie, don’t just stand there,” my mother suddenly said.

Her voice snapped through the air like a whip.

She pulled away slightly from my sister-in-law but kept one arm around her shoulders.

“Can’t you at least greet your sister-in-law?”

My body stiffened. My fingers curled slowly into fists.

The word sister-in-law echoed in my ears.

I slowly turned my head to face them.

“Mom,” I said quietly.

My voice came out calmer than I felt.

“I told you I didn’t want them in my house anymore.”

My sister-in-law’s eyes flickered. But she quickly lowered her head again, pretending to wipe tears from her cheeks.

“If you feel like reconnecting with them like old times,” I continued, each word coming out sharper, “you’re free to do that in your own home.”

The room fell silent for a second.

My mother sighed loudly.

“Sigh… don’t be too harsh,” she said.

Her voice carried a hint of scolding.

“Your sister-in-law did it for your own good.”

My lips twitched.

If she weren’t my mother…

If she were anyone else…

I might have thrown both of them out of my house already.

They truly deserved each other.

One dared to act.

The other dared to believe.

“Mother,” my sister-in-law suddenly sniffled.

Her voice turned soft and pitiful.

“Sister still doesn’t believe me.”

The word sister scraped against my ears like metal against glass.

My stomach twisted.

The nerve of her.

Scenes from the past flashed through my mind.

Her mocking laughter.

Her insults.

The cold way she used to look at me.

Even when my life fell apart… when I struggled to feed my children… She didn’t allow my brother to give me a single cent.

Not even once.

But now she stood here calling me sister.

My lips curved into a cold smile.

“My mother didn’t give birth to any other girl,” I said flatly. “So I am not your sister.”

Her face froze.

For just a moment.

Then she quickly lowered her gaze again.

I turned to leave.

I couldn’t stand this scene any longer.

Whatever they were doing…

Reunion.

Drama.

Fake forgiveness.

I didn’t care.

“Mannie.”

My mother’s voice rang out again. Hearing her loud voice, I dug into my ear, whincing a bit.

It stopped me mid-step.

I closed my eyes briefly before turning around.

“What?”

“Can’t you see your sister-in-law is really sorry?” my mother said.

Her brows knitted together in frustration. “She only acted cold before to help you grow stronger.”

I stared at her. For a moment, I thought I misheard.

“If she helped you too much back then,” my mother continued, “you would have depended on them completely and become useless.”

Silence filled the room.

Then—

I laughed. A short, dry laugh escaped my lips.

“You two really know how to entertain each other,” I said.

My voice dripped with mockery.

“Dependent?”

“What a beautiful word.”

My mother frowned.

“At least appreciate what she brought,” she scolded.

“Or do you plan to teach your children to be ungrateful?”

My eyes flickered toward the table beside them.

A white plastic bag sat there.

My sister-in-law immediately pushed it toward me.

Her lips stretched into a sweet smile.

Too sweet.

“I bought some snacks for the kids too,” she said.

Then she turned to the children.

“Jay, Zane, Nate… come here and take some snacks.”

Eight small heads lifted.

Eight pairs of eyes looked at me.

They didn’t move.

They waited.

Waiting for my signal.

Waiting for my permission.

My chest warmed slightly despite the tension.

Good.

At least they still listened to me.

I walked over and picked up the bag.

The thin plastic crinkled in my hands.

I opened it slowly.

Inside were several packs of cheap biscuits.

Some colorful candy.

And a few bottles of supplements.

My brows knitted.

I picked one up.

The expiration date was close.

Too close. They were expiring either the next day or in 3 days time.

A cold sneer formed inside my chest.

Of course.

She wouldn’t spend real money on us.

Still…

I closed the bag.

“Thank you,” I said.

My tone was polite.

“I’ll make sure to return the same gift if I visit you next time.”

Her smile froze.

But she quickly recovered.

“The kids need to eat,” I added.

“So they’ll take the snacks next time.”

My mother’s hand suddenly moved toward the bag.

As if she wanted to open it and give the snacks to the children immediately.

I gently pushed her hand aside.

My mother frowned.

But before she could speak—

“Rumble…”

A soft sound filled the room.

Then another.

“Rumble…”

I looked toward the table.

Jay’s face turned red.

Adam covered his stomach.

Zane shifted awkwardly in his chair.

My chest tightened.

Of course.

They probably hadn’t eaten yet.

And with my mother busy chatting here… There was no food prepared.

I sighed quietly.

My anger softened slightly.

I opened the bag again.

“Here,” I said.

I handed out the biscuits.

“Just one each.”

Eight small hands reached out.

Jay tore open the wrapper immediately.

Sophie grinned as she took a bite.

Zoey swung her legs happily under the chair.

But three pairs of eyes stayed cautious.

Zane.

Adam.

And Nate.

They looked at the biscuit.

Then at me.

Their brows furrowed slightly.

Smart kids.

“It’s okay,” I murmured quietly.

Nate finally took a small bite.

I turned away quickly.

“I’ll cook something.”

And I walked toward the kitchen.

“Mannie, let me come help you.”

My sister-in-law’s voice floated behind me.

I paused.

Then I slowly turned my head.

She still stood beside my mother.

Not moving an inch.

My lips twitched.

“Sure,” I said flatly.

She didn’t move.

Not even a step.

Of course.

My mother suddenly spoke again. “Everyone is doing fine for themselves,” she said.

“But you had to give birth to eight children.”

Her words hit my chest like stones.

“And now,” she continued, “you refuse to have anything to do with their rich father.”

My hands slowly curled.

“Yet you expect me to help take care of them every day like they are my burden.”

The air in my lungs felt heavy.

“And you still refuse to reconcile with your sister-in-law,” she added. “She could help you too.”

Each word pierced my chest.

One after another.

Like needles.

My gaze dropped briefly to the floor.

If those words hurt me this much…

How would the children feel hearing them?

My eyelashes lowered.

Hiding the pain in my eyes.

“My kids are not a burden,” I said quietly.

Then I lifted my head.

“And I don’t need her help.” My voice hardened. “If you think helping me is a burden…”

I took a slow breath.

“You can leave with her.”

The room went silent.

My sister-in-law’s eyes sparkled faintly.

A strange satisfaction flickered across her face.

But her voice sounded gentle.

“Sister,” she said softly. “Mom didn’t mean it like that.”

I almost laughed.

“You shouldn’t let anger cloud your judgment,” she added. “Mom only cares about you.”

I snorted.

Then I turned away.

And walked into the kitchen.

The moment I stepped inside, the quiet wrapped around me like a blanket.

I placed both hands on the counter.

And exhaled slowly.

The tension in my chest refused to leave.

But I pushed it aside.

Right now…

The kids needed food.

I tied my apron.

Pulled ingredients from the cabinet.

Washed rice.

Chopped vegetables.

The knife moved quickly under my fingers.

Steam soon rose from the pot.

The smell of food slowly filled the kitchen.

Behind me, faint laughter echoed from the living room.

My sister-in-law’s voice sounded sweet.

Too sweet.

My mother occasionally laughed too.

I gritted my teeth.

But I kept cooking.

After a while, I was finally done and dished the food.

After a while, I was finally done and dished the food.

Steam curled up from the bowls as I placed them one by one on the table.

The smell of fried eggs, rice, and vegetables slowly filled the room. Warm. Simple. Familiar.

The children lifted their heads immediately.

Eight pairs of eyes brightened.

Jay sniffed the air dramatically. “Mom… that smells amazing.”

Sophie clapped her hands once. “Food!”

Zoey slid down from her chair, her small feet pattering across the floor as she hurried to the table.

“Slow down,” I said, setting the last bowl down. “You’ll trip.”

But my voice came out softer than before.

Maybe because I was tired.

Maybe because the sight of their hungry faces made the tight knot in my chest loosen a little.

They gathered around the table quickly.

I stood near the counter for a moment, watching them.

Then I noticed movement beside the table.

My sister-in-law had pulled out a chair.

She sat down like she belonged there.

Her smile stretched wide across her face.

“Oh my,” she said warmly, watching the children eat. “Look at them. They’re so adorable.”

Her voice dripped with sweetness.

She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand as she watched them.

“What are you eating, sweethearts?”

Jay answered immediately.

“Rice!”

She giggled softly.

“Of course it’s rice, silly boy.”

Then she reached out and gently wiped a grain of rice from Sophie’s cheek.

“You have something there.”

Sophie blinked.

Then she smiled shyly.

“Thank you, Auntie.”

My fingers tightened around the edge of the counter.

Auntie.

The word tasted bitter in my mouth.

But my sister-in-law’s smile only grew brighter.

She leaned closer to the children.

“You all look so smart,” she said. “Your homework must be very difficult.”

Tera lifted her chin slightly.

“It’s not difficult,” she said proudly.

“I finished mine already.”

“Oh really?”

My sister-in-law clapped softly.

“That’s amazing.”

Her eyes sparkled with admiration.

“You’re such a clever girl.”

Tera straightened in her seat.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

Across the table, Jay raised his hand dramatically.

“I’m clever too.”

“You are?”

“Yes.”

“What makes you clever?”

Jay grinned.

“I know how to finish my food the fastest.”

Adam burst out laughing.

Sophie giggled.

Even Zoey laughed.

My sister-in-law covered her mouth and laughed lightly too.

“Oh dear,” she said playfully. “That’s a very important skill.”

The atmosphere at the table slowly softened.

The tension that had filled the room earlier began to fade.

Little by little, the children started talking more.

Jay cracked jokes.

Sophie asked questions.

Zoey showed her drawings.

Even Lily began chatting quietly.

Only three remained silent.

Zane.

Adam.

And Nate.

They still ate, but their eyes kept drifting toward my sister-in-law.

Watching her.

Studying her.

Zane chewed slowly.

His brows furrowed.

Adam glanced at her whenever she spoke.

But Nate…

Nate’s eyes were sharp.

Stormy.

Just like Dominic’s.

He didn’t say a word.

He simply observed.

Every smile.

Every gesture.

Every word.

My sister-in-law leaned forward again.

“So,” she said sweetly, “which one of you is the eldest?”

“I am,” Nate replied calmly.

She turned to him.

Her smile widened.

“Oh? You must take care of your brothers and sisters then.”

Nate didn’t answer.

He simply continued eating.

A faint awkward silence passed.

Then she laughed lightly.

“Such a serious boy.”

She turned to Zane next.

“And you?”

Zane wiped his mouth slowly.

“What about me?”

“What do you like to do?”

Zane stared at her for a moment.

Then he shrugged.

“Build robots.”

Her eyes widened.

“Robots?”

“Yes.”

He stabbed his rice with his spoon.

“I will build one that cleans the house.”

Jay raised his hand again.

“Make one that cooks too!”

Everyone laughed.

Even I couldn’t stop the small smile that slipped onto my lips.

My sister-in-law laughed along with them.

“Oh my,” she said warmly. “You children are so talented.”

Then she turned to me.

“You’ve raised them very well, Mannie.”

The compliment landed softly.

But I didn’t respond.

I simply continued eating quietly.

She didn’t seem bothered.

Instead, she kept talking to the children.

Asking about their school.

Their games.

Their favorite cartoons.

Slowly…

Most of them relaxed.

Lily smiled more.

Sophie leaned closer when she spoke.

Zoey even climbed onto her lap for a moment.

But not Nate.

Not Zane.

Not Adam.

They watched her the whole time.

Carefully.

As if waiting for her mask to slip.

Eventually, the meal ended.

My sister-in-law stood up slowly.

“Well,” she said cheerfully, “I should get going.”

My mother stood too.

“You’re leaving already?”

“Yes,” she sighed softly. “I didn’t want to disturb Mannie too much.”

Her eyes flickered toward me.

“But I’m glad we talked today.”

She bent down and patted Sophie’s head.

“Goodbye, sweethearts.”

“Bye, Auntie!” Sophie chirped.

Zoey waved.

“Come again!”

I almost choked on my breath.

My sister-in-law smiled brightly.

“I will.”

Then she turned toward the door.

My mother followed her.

The door opened.

Closed.

Silence returned.

The children slowly drifted back to their homework.

I wiped the table quietly.

Then I turned to my mother.

She walked back inside with a satisfied expression.

Like someone who had just witnessed a successful reunion.

“Mom,” I said.

She looked at me.

“Yes?”

I crossed my arms.

“Why did you bring her here?”

She sighed.

“Mannie…”

“Don’t ‘Mannie’ me,” I said quietly.

“I asked you something.”

She walked to the chair and sat down.

Her expression turned serious.

“She came to apologize.”

I stared at her.

“Do you really believe that?”

“Yes.”

My jaw tightened.

“She had good intentions.”

The words felt like stones dropping into my chest.

“Good intentions?” I repeated.

“Yes.”

“She even brought snacks for the children.”

I laughed softly.

A tired laugh.

“Cheap snacks,” I corrected.

“She still brought something,” my mother insisted.

“And she was kind to the children.”

I stared at her.

Speechless.

My chest rose slowly as I inhaled.

All the anger.

All the frustration.

All the memories of the past.

They swirled inside me like a storm.

But my mother simply sat there.

Looking completely convinced.

“She only wants to fix things,” she added gently.

I opened my mouth.

Then closed it again.

What was the point?

No matter what I said…

She had already decided what to believe.

My hands slowly clenched.

Then loosened.

I exhaled quietly.

And swallowed the anger burning in my throat.

Because sometimes…

Silence was the only answer left.