Chapter 331
Lucas's words pulled Anna back to her university days.
Memories flooded her mind like a rising tide.
Each recollection brought fresh pain.
The ache in her chest deepened with every thought.
"Sis, look over there." Sophia gently touched her arm, pointing toward a crowd. "That looks like my uncle."
Anna followed her gaze.
Howard Lowell stood at the center of the gathering.
Her mother, Vivian, stood beside him.
She pressed her lips together and hurried toward her mother.
Sophia followed closely behind.
She made a face at Lucas as they passed.
She understood perfectly.
This man had designs on her future sister-in-law.
She would never allow it.
Anna approached her mother and called out softly, "Mom."
Vivian turned, surprise flashing in her eyes. "Anna? What are you doing here?"
She didn't recall her daughter knowing Cecilia.
Sophia bounced over with a sweet smile. "Hello, Auntie! Sis is a guest invited by me and my mom."
Vivian paused briefly.
Howard stepped in to explain. "This is Cecilia's daughter."
Cecilia approached gracefully.
Her gaze lingered on Vivian's face.
The mother and daughter did share a striking resemblance.
Anna had inherited all of her mother's beauty.
"This is my sister, Cecilia Roscente." Howard made the introduction.
Vivian nodded politely.
They exchanged brief pleasantries.
Howard gave Vivian a meaningful look.
Understanding, Vivian took Anna aside.
Sophia tried to follow but was gently held back by Cecilia.
Anna handed her mother a glass of juice. They stood together in a quiet corner.
"Mom, did you want to talk to me about something?"
Vivian set down her glass and grasped her daughter's hands tightly.
"Anna, Mom needs to ask you to help your father this time."
Anna froze.
Her mother had never made such a request before.
She held her mother's hands and asked urgently, "Did he hit you again? Or threaten you?"
Vivian shook her head.
"No. Mom just wants our family to live well together. Helping him is helping me."
Anna looked at her mother in disbelief.
Had she forgotten all the past pain?
"Mom..." She frowned, unsure how to respond.
A trace of sorrow flashed in Vivian's eyes.
"Anna, you know Mom hasn't had an easy life. Deceived and abandoned by a man, raising you alone."
"Then finally meeting someone who made my heart flutter, only to be burdened with debt. Now I can finally feel some warmth, and I want to cherish it."
Anna's heart ached sharply.
"Mom, I'll do it." She couldn't bear to see her mother sad and agreed temporarily.
She knew Howard's character too well.
He would never treat her mother sincerely.
For now, she had to stabilize the situation.
Then find an opportunity to take her mother away.
Vivian wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled again.