Chapter 2

Ruth was good in many ways, but she was too soft-hearted. Like a child, she always needed someone to coax her. If not for that, she wouldn't have been so easily fooled by Esmerelda and lost her life because of it…

I steadied my emotions and walked over, taking the purse from Ruth's hand. "You know you have high blood pressure, and you're supposed to keep your diet light. Today's your birthday. I had so many surprises planned for you.

"Even if I've done something wrong, you have to tell me, so I can change. You just left without a word, ignoring my calls and texts. Did you not think I'd be worried sick?"

It was the first time I'd ever spoken to Ruth like this. Her eyes widened in surprise, her expression conflicted.

As she was about to speak, Esmerelda cut in. "Clara, don't blame Mom. I told her I hated eating alone, so she came to keep me company. She didn't even take a single bite."

I nodded. "Is that so? Then, why didn't you just tell me that earlier?"

Esmerelda was at a loss for words.

"We're a family," I reminded her with a smile. "And with how easy it is to stay in touch these days, you can just talk to me directly next time."

If we had been better at communicating in the past, things might not have ended so tragically.

Ruth looked embarrassed. "I know. I just…"

"Just wanted to challenge you" was probably the sentence she couldn't finish.

Losing her husband and son one after another had shattered her. And though Esmerelda had finally come back from studying abroad, it had only been a few months.

Ruth had put everything onto me, which was why she had doubts. She was terrified I might leave her too…

My own mother had been like that before she passed. Perhaps that was why I cared so much about Ruth, because I wanted to make up for past regrets.

Okay, maybe I overdid it…

I took Ruth's hand. "Come on. Let's go home and see the cake I made for you."

Her eyes lit up immediately.

"You can only have a little piece, though," I quickly added. I saw her shoulders slump in disappointment. "To make up for that, you can skip tomorrow morning's workout. But in the afternoon, I'm taking you somewhere."

Ruth lifted her head, eyes shining. Seemingly in disbelief, she asked, "Really?"

I nodded with a smile.

Ruth hated early morning workouts more than anything. The moment she heard it was canceled, her eyes lit up.

…

However, later that night, I heard her thoughts clearly. "Maybe I should cancel. Clara doesn't like it when I go out with Mary."

That so-called "friend" always dragged Ruth to play cards, eat, and drink sinfully. Ruth would come home with empty pockets or collapse and get sent to the hospital.

As I was thinking it over, Esmerelda's voice rang out. "Mom, aren't you going shopping with Mrs. Prichett tomorrow? Why aren't you in bed yet?"

She had heard Ruth's thoughts and was trying to push her.

Ruth hesitated. "But Clara said she had plans for me tomorrow…"

"Your birthday is already over. Whatever she has planned, it can't be that important. Her heart's in the right place, but she's too controlling. You're not a child. You're allowed to have friends."

Esmerelda continued, "You and Clara are probably always arguing because of the generational gap. I'm closer to her age. I'll explain it to her."

Right then, Ruth's inner voice flickered again. 'But I had such a nice talk with Clara today. Is there really a generational gap? Or does she see something wrong with Mary that I don't?'

Ruth still trusted me.