to one of concern. "Mia, why are you h

genuine concern for her stepdaught

y aren't you taking your studi

stirring up trouble in fr

d to this behavior. B

't you supposed to be in sch

er sided with Barbara, falling into the witch's trap rep

ability to speak?" Mia's si

, hoping to find a glimmer of affection.

s brows fur

ced at

nd passed out. They rushed her to the hospital

on changed to one

hought I did!" She covere

surge of di

r, Mia knew Barbara hadn't forgotten to inform him. The

convincing act. It was her skill in acting that all

." Barbara chuckled. "Baby, I'm sorry. Thank

turn the tables on Mia, causing her

hey actually implied that since Mia had made it all the way home, there

nce you've been discharged from the hospital, why didn

er father's cold gaze. Was

s just for fun? Are you trying to w

her she once knew. The m

her mother was alive, everything used to be different... until she discovered her father

ur education, return to school this inst

treaming down her face. The

rom her father and fixed her eyes on th

girl! What did she expect, coming home to meet her and her husband? Did she tr

that once belonged to her was now hers and h

toward the door, tears still streaming

hand, she noticed the taxi that had brought her there. Sh

ed the driver to wait, intending to bor

ong I've been here? You kept me waiting when I should be wor

e steps to meet him. "I'm sorry. I truly

heart skipped a beat. How was she going to explain that she didn't have the mone

d to do? She fidgete

e wasting my time!" The

ing thin due to the g

. She wished the ground would

r and stepmother eme

te comedy show when they heard the commotion

in. Mr. Thompson let out a frustrated sigh. Wh

s deep voice echoed t

tire, he concluded the man was wealthy. Furthermore, the man's a

young girl has refused to pay me for my services,"

is gaze on his daugh

er head, locking ey

reaths, she n

oyance. Why did this foolish chil

econds, he op

u enough money f

r lip until it nearly bled. It was her fault

with her," Barbara attemp

the same allowance, Mia might be using her money f

ia recklessly spent mon

b driver and said, "If she doesn't pay you, take her t