Lahat ng Kabanata ng Mom Picked Her Golden Child: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 8

The second I heard her talk, I knew—Mom was back too.She hated how the last round played out. Blamed me for not handing her some glamorous life, so this time she practically leapt at Katerina, who looked shinier on paper.But she forgot something. It wasn't that she didn't pick Katerina last time—Katerina didn't want her.Mom had been a housewife forever, and no one saved squat for her retirement. When I suggested we split the cost, Katerina shot it down."She's got two daughters," she'd said. "How could she possibly end up treated badly?"Easy to say when you're married to some rich foreign guy. Money never touched her nerves.But when it came down to it? Katerina wanted Dad. A quiet, harmless teacher beat our loud, scene-making mom any day.Sure enough, Katerina hesitated for a split second, then slipped on that fake sweet voice."Mom, I WANT to take care of you, but those long flights? Way too hard on your body. Better to stay in Bellavaro with Anya! We'll totally visit whe

Everyone froze.Katerina shrieked, hand over her mouth. Chris swore, eyes blown wide.Dad clutched his chest and sighed. "What is this? How did it get this far? Anya, you know your mom's temper. Just let her have her way."Katerina chimed in, all shaky and sweet. "Anya, it's just an apartment. It was theirs to start with. Why are you pushing Mom so hard?"I was shaking with anger. Mom looked smug, like she was flashing her ultimate card—'I'm still your mother.'Then I felt warmth on the back of my hand.Pavel had taken it.He looked at me, steady. "Babe, forget the apartment. Don't fight your mom over this. I'll take care of your dad. He can stay with us."Tears stung my eyes. I sniffled and nodded. "Fine. I'll give up the apartment. But I want it in writing—me and Katerina. From now on, she takes care of Mom, I take care of Dad. No backing out. No take-backs. Ever."Before Katerina could say a word, Mom jumped in."Perfect! Without you dragging me down, I'll probably live to

I slipped on my slippers and opened the door. Dad held out the phone—Mom's voice blasted through."I don't care. I'm going back! Katerina and Chris ran off to travel the world and dumped the kids on me!"On screen, she stood by the pool, hair wild, face worn. One kid in her arms, another strapped to her back, a third splashing at the edge.The swagger she had when she left? Gone. She just looked tired and old.I'd thought it was something serious. I dropped onto the couch. "How are you even planning to come back alone? Just wait for Katerina and Chris."Her jaw clenched. That old fire in her eyes sparked back. "Anya Kovarik, you just don't want me to come back!"I nodded. "Finally, you get it."She froze, eyes wide. "What did you say? You dare talk to me like that?"Dad yawned, trying to play peacekeeper. "We can't really do anything. How about I call Katerina and tell them to come back?"Mom snapped, "You think I haven't tried? They won't even pick up. Who knows what country

Katerina's face flushed bright red and she shot me several furious glares.She'd clearly expected me to break the news gently—but I'd just blurted it out.Mom jumped to her feet, eyes blazing at Katerina. "Katerina, did you really say that?!"Katerina immediately tried to weasel out. "I didn't! Anya, stop making things up!"Mom turned on me. "Anya, you've lost your mind—how could you make up something like this?!"I pulled out my phone and hit play: "Anya, I think we should let Mom stay here..."Lucky for me, I had the sense to record her exact words.Katerina went pale hearing her own voice. She ground her teeth and lunged for my phone. "Anya, you've really outdone yourself. We're sisters, and you record me?!"I looked right at her. Exactly because we're sisters, I know exactly what she's like.The recording kept playing while Mom's chest heaved with rage.She really didn't expect this—not from her so called golden child. "Katerina Kovarik, you better explain this right now!