From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent ( Anthea )

Maggie was the other woman.

The shameless other woman!

A home wrecker!

It was clear as day that she was Jonah's favorite.

Yet, Maggie just had to wedge herself right in there, didn't she?

Lifting his gaze to meet Susan's, Gerard challenged, "You really think I'm going to take your word for it?"

Even though he wasn't privy to the details of the past, Gerard had unwavering faith that his mother wasn't the type of person Susan made her out to be. She just couldn't be.

Susan held Gerard's gaze, her voice tinged with a convincing sincerity, "Gerry, whether you like it or not, it's the truth! But, I don't blame your mom. Not one bit. Love is something you can't control. She fell for your dad, and let's face it, she was stunning. They say the grass is always greener on the other side, and your dad, being a typical man, well, it all just followed the usual script."

Pausing to collect herself, Susan continued, "What I didn't see coming was your mother, even after winning your dad's heart, betraying him! It breaks my heart for your dad. And for the love we had. I stepped aside for them, sacrificing our love to make room for theirs. But then she went and betrayed him! What she discarded, I held dear. Gerry! Do you understand how I feel?"

Susan's words, laden with emotion, made it seem as if she was the magnanimous one, selflessly stepping aside for the sake of others' happiness.

Anyone else might have been swayed by her words, but Gerard wasn't buying it.

Unless he saw proof with his own eyes, he wouldn't take anyone's word for it - especially not Susan's.

People like Susan would do anything to achieve their ends.

All Gerard cared about was one thing, "Who's my mom?"

"I don't know her name," Susan said, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. "Your dad protected her too well. I never got the chance to meet her. But I know she existed."

"And where is she now?" Gerard pressed.

"She's dead," Susan replied.

She knew that only by convincing Gerard that his birth mother was gone would he let his guard down around her.

Gerard's reluctance to accept her stemmed from his desire to find his mother.

Now that he believed his birth mother was dead and painted as a villain, he was bound to feel a deep sense of disappointment and betrayal.

This was Susan's chance to make her move.

She needed Gerard to realize that the maternal love he longed for could only come from her.

She was the only one fit to be Gerard's mother.

Susan looked at Gerard, her voice taking on a grave tone, "Your mother died in a tragic accident while

eloping with another man. It was a horrific crash. They say not even a complete body was recovered."

Maggie deserved no less than a tragic end!

Pieces scattered everywhere!

A venomous glint flickered in Susan's downcast eyes.

Gerard remained silent, his expression unreadable.

He had heard similar stories before.

Janet had told him the same thing.

Swn&

"Maybe it's what they call karma," Susan continued. "She took away my fiancé, and even the heavens couldn't stand it."

"Or maybe you're the one who tried to steal my dad from my mom?" Gerard countered, locking eyes with Susan. "You all say my mom's dead, but you're too scared to even say her name!" Scared.

That was it.

They were scared!

If his mother was truly such a person, would Janet have kept it a secret for so long?

Growing up by Janet's side, Gerard knew all too well how much she valued social standing. She even had reservations about him and George being friends, likely because she looked down on his mother for her humble beginnings.

"It's not like that, Gerry! We're not scared!" Susan stood up, tears welling in her eyes again. "Your mom is really gone! Some people are

better off dead. If she were alive net

would she have gone all these years without trying to see you once? They say there's a special bond between mother and child. You've been

longing for her, but has she ever longed for you?!"

That was a jab at Maggie's worthiness as Gerard's mother.

Nineteen years had passed.

Maggie had never once fulfilled her duties as a mother.