A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 390

Mae arrived just then, carrying a pair of warm rolls and a cup of steaming milk. Vera didn’t have much of an appetite, but under Mae’s gentle

coaxing, she managed to take a few sips.

“Mae, what on earth happened tonight? Where is he?”

At this point, Vera couldn’t even bring herself to say “Dad.” She didn’t want

to acknowledge a man whose life revolved around drinking, gambling,

and violence as her father.

Mae sighed. “I was cooking in the kitchen when I heard your parents arguing. You know how your father is–can’t take a word of criticism without lashing out…”

She glanced anxiously at Vera, who clenched her jaw and twisted the hem of her dress in her fist.

“It’s okay. Please, go on.”

“I heard your mom shouting that she was leaving, that she wanted a divorce… Your dad wouldn’t have it. They started fighting again, and then suddenly, I heard your mom scream. After that, it went silent.”

The memory made Mae shudder.

“I knew something was wrong, so I turned off the stove and rushed out. As soon as I stepped into the hall, I saw your dad frozen at the top of the stairs. I barely had time to ask what happened before I saw your mom lying at the landing. Blood was pouring from the back of her head… I nearly fainted. I yelled for my husband to grab the car, and we rushed her to the hospital.”

Mae glanced at Carla, lying pale and motionless in the hospital bed, and shook her head. “Your mom is such a good, hardworking woman. I’ll never understand why your dad can’t appreciate her. My husband just called to chew him out, said he spent the whole night at the poker tables. And when he found out your mom was going to make it, he just grunted

and said, ‘Well, at least she’s not dead. Not a big deal.’ Can you believe

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that?”

Mae recounted it all, her words so vivid Vera could almost see her father in that smoky backroom, grumbling as if nothing truly mattered.

Vera listened silently, knowing deep down Mae was telling the truth. She had given up any hope for her father long ago. Ever since high school, she’d pleaded with her mother to leave him, but her mother always said, “Let’s wait a little longer, just a little longer.”

Wait for what?

“When you’re a little older, Vera,” her mom would say. “Then we’ll move to the city, find a little place with a view of the ocean. Wouldn’t that be nice?” Her mother loved the sea–said it was beautiful, endless, and free.

Before she married, she’d been a girl who loved the ocean, loved to read, and spent her time crafting little things by hand. Somehow, her world had shrunk to this small town and a life of chores and groceries, her dreams washed away by the tides of daily survival.

“Mom, do you think you’d be happier without me?” Vera had once asked.

“Vera, without you, I wouldn’t have any reason to go on.”

Remembering that, Vera sniffled and wiped away her tears. Mae saw her like that and swallowed the rest of her words.

“Vera, sweetheart, I’ve got to get home and make dinner, so I’ll head out now. Don’t be too upset, okay? She’s alive, and that’s what matters. Nothing’s more important than that.”

“I know. Thank you for everything, Mae.” Vera stood to walk her out, then returned to the silent room.

She sat there for hours, not moving as the sun dipped below the horizon.

The harsh hospital lights flickered above her. The rolls and milk on the nightstand had gone stone cold, but Vera didn’t care–she finished the last roll in a few quick bites and tossed the cup of milk in the trash.

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As she stood to throw away the garbage, she heard Carla call her name.

Vera froze, thinking her mother was just talking in her sleep. But then, slowly, Carla’s eyes fluttered open.