Chapter 147 You're Back
ANNA'S POV
“You’re still not getting the point, Margaret. You lied to us, kept something this important from all of us, and still went ahead to make the decision without us.”
Dad’s voice grew louder the closer I got to their room. His words were sharp, clipped with frustration, and by the time I reached the door, there was no doubt in my mind that whatever argument was happening inside had already gone far beyond calm discussion.
“I didn’t lie to anyone,” Mom fired back immediately. “I didn’t just tell you people, and I already said I feel horrible for doing that. But you can’t tell me that we would just kick someone we took under our care when she was little out of the house without knowing what’s going on with her.”
I paused at the doorway for a brief second, then pushed it open and walked in.
Mom was sitting on the edge of the bed, her shoulders tense, while Dad paced back and forth across the room, his movements restless and agitated. The air felt thick, heavy with emotions that had clearly been building up long before I arrived.
Both of them looked at me the moment I stepped inside.
For a second, they looked at each other instead, silently communicating, then quickly turned their attention back to me.
“Darling, you’re back,” Mom said, standing up almost immediately and walking toward me.
Dad let out a dry breath. “With the expression on her face, I’m sure she already heard everything and knows exactly what’s going on.” He said, placing his hand on his chin.
“Don’t say that,” Mom said sharply, then turned to me again, her voice softening. “Did Dan tell you what’s going on?”
“Yes,” I replied, folding my arms across my chest. “And I’m very disappointed in what you did, Mom. Truly.”
Her steps faltered.
“Don’t tell me you’re taking your father’s side on this too,” she said, turning away from me and walking back toward the bed.
“Sides?” I scoffed lightly. “I’m not taking anyone’s side, Mom. Let me ask you something, how would you feel if I made a huge decision in the company without informing any of you until the very last minute?”
She didn’t answer.
“That wouldn’t be right, would it?” I continued. “Well, that’s exactly what you did. You made a decision to go and see…”
“I went to see your sister, Anna,” she cut in immediately.
The firmness in her voice made it clear she still didn’t see the problem.
“And then you allowed her to brainwash you into giving her access back into this family again?” Dad snapped.
Mom spun around to face him. “It’s not brainwashing or whatever nonsense you people want to call it. It’s love.”
She paused, then looked at me. “I can understand if Anna doesn’t understand the love I’m talking about, but you…” Her gaze returned to Dad, “I expected you to understand where I was coming from in a situation like this. That was why I came to you, I would have just kept this to myself but I didn’t because I thought you would understand.”
“You don’t even understand where we are coming from,” Dad replied coldly. “She’s doing all this so you’ll pity her and bring her back in.”
“Why are you talking about your daughter like she’s some kind of enemy?” Mom shot back. “I know your parents raised you in a strict manner, but that doesn’t mean you should do the same with your own children. We’ve talked about this more than once. Your parents never kicked you out, so why are you doing this to Isabel?”
“Because she stole the family heirloom, Mom,” I said firmly. “An item that’s only meant to be touched by you. She disregarded the family rules and went ahead to steal it. Are you forgetting that?”
“And she has changed,” Mom insisted without hesitation.
“Mom,” I said gently, reaching out to hold her hand, “just because she says she has changed doesn’t mean she actually has.”
She tightened her grip on my hand instead of pulling away.
“From the way she spoke, Anna, that’s how I know she’s changed,” she said. “She sounded remorseful. She begged me to forgive her. She even told me to apologize to you on her behalf.”
Her eyes searched mine. “Think about it, has Isabel ever done any of that before?”
I hesitated.
I hadn’t known Isabel all my life, but in the time I had known her, she had never done anything like that. She could barely even look me straight in the eye without glaring, let alone apologize.
“We pushed her out and left her stranded,” Mom continued softly. “With no money. She had bigger problems to deal with than hating on Anna all day. Life’s bills have a way of setting priorities straight, and that might have changed her.”
“And what if you’re wrong?” Dad asked quietly, his voice heavy. “What happens then? Have you thought about that? Have you thought about the fact that there will no longer be peace in this house?”
“And honestly, Mom,” I added, “I don’t have the strength to entertain her arguments. We all like it here the way it is — quiet, peaceful, no constant fights. We want it to remain that way. So I’m sorry, but it’s not a good Idea for her to come back.”
Mom stared at us both, her face falling.
With slow, defeated steps, she walked over to the wardrobe and rested her hand against it.
“I really thought at least one of you would see where I’m coming from,” she said quietly. “But since no one agrees with me, I can’t just let my daughter be out there alone.”
My brows squeezed together as unease settled deep in my chest.
“Mom…” I started.
“If she’s not coming back,” she said, turning to face us, “then I’m going to go stay with her.”
The words landed like a bomb.
Silence swallowed the room.