Chapter 4

“Treat Anna as your elder sister now. Quick. If not, everyone will continue to gossip about her.”

My parents looked at me with pleading expressions. They urged me to acknowledge Anna as my elder sister.

Of course, they only thought of her.

If I acknowledged Anna as my elder sister, I would become everyone’s laughingstock instead.

When I remained silent, Anna stepped in to smooth things over.

“All right, everyone. Stop forcing Nancy.

“I’m a widow and an orphan. Now that I have Mom and Dad, I’ve nothing more to ask.”

Then, Anna leaned closer to me and whispered in my ear, “Your parents and husband are all mine now.

“Nancy, do you still think that your miscarriage two years ago was just an accident?

“Let me tell you the truth. Jonathan was worried that you’d take my job once you’re pregnant, so he had someone prescribe you the medicine that led to a miscarriage. It’s he who killed the child on his own.”

Clang!

My hands trembled so badly that I could not hold the plate steadily. As a result, it fell to the floor.

It was no wonder the way the doctor had looked at me so strangely back then.

I had blamed myself for that unborn child for two years.

I had nightmares night after night. I saw myself lying in a pool of blood.

Yet, the child’s father had colluded with Anna all along to scheme against me and guilt-trip me so that I could not interfere with their happy life!

The word “child” struck a nerve deep inside me.

I could not take it any longer.

I shoved Anna to the floor.

I raised my hand and was about to slap her. Before I could reach her face, a strong grip seized my wrist.

Slap!

Jonathan’s slap landed hard across my face.

“You’re a madwoman! Anna always keeps herself in check. She’s aware of her own behavior in front of you. What exactly has she offended you?

“It’s no wonder your parents dislike you. They’d rather acknowledge an outsider to be their daughter than spare another glance at you!

“People like you don’t deserve to be loved!”

Likewise, my parents shielded Anna and stared at me coldly.

I was in the middle of a daze. My mind was filled with nothing but the child.

A kind neighbor helped me to my feet and led me aside to rest.

After that farce, the ceremony went on as if nothing had happened.

My parents acted as if nothing had happened. They grinned from ear to ear and continued to chat with Anna.

I sat alone and pressed a cold towel against my face. Just then, a staff member from the school rushed over to my house entrance.

“Nancy, the school sent the word. They said they’ve confirmed you for the position.

“Pack your things and head to the station now! Hurry up! The bus from the city has already arrived to pick you up!”

After comforting Anna, Jonathan remembered Nancy’s disappointed expression.

He had never seen her this devastated before.

One of his subordinates said to him, “Ms. Nancy has put in a lot of effort to earn the military spouse quota. Even the superior believes she deserves the quota.”

Jonathan recalled Nancy falling to the floor. He belatedly realized he had gone too far.

Out of guilt, he relented.

“I’ve already settled this with Anna. It can’t be changed.

“But I can try to see if I can apply for an additional quota for her.”

After he submitted the application, his superior informed him, “Last month, Nancy said she had discussed things with you. She agreed to a divorce so that she could fill the quota.

“I already approved it. Didn’t you know?”