Homecoming Countdown Chapter 2

When I first arrived in this world, Carlos was a bright, promising college student with a sharp mind and a bright future ahead of him.

When we got married, everyone said I had hit the jackpot.

What they didn't see, however, were the early mornings I spent selling breakfast on the streets to make ends meet.

They didn't see how Carlos' mother tormented me daily for not being able to help him climb the social ladder.

I didn't mind back then. After all, Carlos was good to me.

He would walk me home when he didn't have classes, shield me from his mother's harsh words, and massage my sore back when I woke up exhausted in the middle of the night.

I genuinely wanted to change Carlos' fate and prevent him from ending up alone and disgraced, but I soon realized it was futile.

No matter how hard I tried, the predetermined plot couldn't be altered.

Eventually, Carlos fell for the heroine, Zanya.

He gave up a lucrative job offer and volunteered to go to the countryside, where he stayed for 18 years.

Over those years, I transformed from a naïve, hopeful girl into a worn-out woman who could juggle farm work and housework without batting an eye.

Looking at my rough hands and bloated figure, I couldn't help but smirk bitterly. At least this miserable chapter was finally coming to an end.

As I walked past rows of thatched cottages toward the tiny, cramped house we called home, I saw Bruce handing his university acceptance letter and my savings to Zanya's daughter, Molly.

"Molly, you're a girl, and you need this admission letter more than I do," he said earnestly. "And take the money. It's a gift from me and my dad. Life in the city is different from here, and you'll need it. Please take it."

Carlos, standing nearby, smiled affectionately as he encouraged Zanya and her daughter to accept. After a couple of polite refusals, Zanya finally gave in, her face glowing with gratitude.

I stood there watching the scene, amusement tugging at the corners of my mouth. Emma wasn't wrong. Molly and Zanya were like sirens, luring these men to ruin.

Despite wanting to wash my hands of Carlos and Bruce, maternal instinct kicked in. Bruce was still my son, after all.

With a frown, I stepped forward and snatched the acceptance letter from Molly's hands.

"Bruce, have you thought this through? Do you understand how hard it was for you to get into college? And what about the consequences if this transfer is discovered?"

"Mom!"

Bruce interrupted me impatiently.

"This is my decision, and Dad agrees with me. Why are you interfering? You've lived in the village long enough to know how much harder it is for girls to get into college! You've always taught me to be generous, but now you're being so selfish!"

His words stung. I stared at him, my heart heavy with disappointment. How had the son I poured my heart into raising turned into this?

"She can take the exam herself if she wants to go to college so badly. Over the years, you and your father have given them ration tickets, meat coupons, and now even the money I saved for your education. Have you ever thought about how we're supposed to survive?"

I turned my gaze toward Zanya and her daughter, frustration boiling inside me.

Thanks to Carlos' endless generosity, Zanya and Molly lived a comfortable life.

They didn't have to do farm work, and Carlos even gave up his job as a scorekeeper so Zanya could have it, making her the most well-off of all the educated youths sent here.

Zanya's eyes filled with tears. She quickly handed the money back to me.

"Sherra, this is my fault. Carlos told me the money was just extra, that you didn't need it. I didn't think too much about it. Please don't fight because of me. Molly will take the college exam herself, and I'll earn the money for her tuition."

"Carlos," she continued, her voice trembling, "thank you for everything over the years. But to avoid any more misunderstandings with Sherra, we should keep our distance from now on."

She turned to leave, but Carlos grabbed her hand, his face filled with urgency.

"Zanya, what are you saying? This family isn't Sherra's to dictate. Bruce and I don't need all this money, but you and Molly do. And what misunderstanding? I'm married; there's nothing for her to misinterpret.

"Come on, take the money and the acceptance letter."

I watched helplessly as Zanya and her daughter walked away with the money and letter. My gaze shifted to Carlos and Bruce, both of whom looked completely unbothered. Disheartened, I tossed the basket I'd been carrying onto the table and turned to leave.

This place was suffocating. I needed to escape.

But before I could leave, Carlos called after me.

"Sherra Thompson, you did that on purpose, didn't you?"