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

Why does Blythe talk like that? It's kinda... weird.

"Mom!"

Right then, another voice chimed in.

"Sweetie!" Blythe quickly turned around, "Oh, sweetie, you must be exhausted from all that testing, huh? Here, let me hold your pencil case for you!"

That was Blythe's son, Bernie.

Bernie was a skinny lad, not very tall, barely reaching up to Anthea's shoulder, and even shorter than Blythe.

After introducing her son, Blythe added, "This is my son, Bernie, but we all call him sweetie."

Carole nodded, somewhat at a loss for words, managed to say, "Blythe, your son sure looks lively!"

Blythe beamed, "Oh, he's always been a bright spark, very smart too. Folks around here say he's got a gift, like he's blessed by the heavens..."

Bernie, growing impatient, glanced at Blythe, "Could you cut the chitchat? I wanna go home! I'm hungry!"

"Oh dear, sweetie's hungry! My apologies, how could I forget? Come on, let's head home," Blythe then bent down.

Carole was puzzled as to why Blythe was crouching when suddenly, Bernie hopped onto Blythe's back!

And then, to everyone's shock, Blythe stood up, carrying Bernie.

Carrying him? At his age?

Carole was dumbfounded!

Not just Carole, but Nanson and Anthea were equally bewildered.

What in the world was that about?

Nanson leaned closer to Carole, whispering, "Is that kid okay? Does he have some illness? His legs not working? He seems fine otherwise." Carole shook her head, "No idea, but I don't think he's sick. Blythe had four daughters and just this one son. Probably just spoils him rotten." Anthea frowned slightly, "No wonder I found Blythe's way of speaking odd, it's the classic favoritism. Spoiling their son like that, it won't end well." "You can say that again," Carole, not one to gossip, couldn't help but add, "To raise that boy, Blythe even sent away two of her daughters!" Anthea sighed in disbelief.

Hard to imagine anyone favoring their child to such an extent.

Even going as far as to send their own daughters away.

Carole then changed the subject, "So, Annie, how did you do in math?"

"Not bad," Anthea nodded.

As they walked to their car, they passed a sleek black vehicle.

Anthea raised an eyebrow, feeling a sense of familiarity with the car.

Though she didn't recognize the license plate and couldn't see inside due to the tinted windows.

From inside the car, however, the occupants could see out clearly.

And in that moment, as Anthea glanced back, everything seemed to fall silent.

She stood there, sheltered under a white umbrella.

Dressed in a blue outfit, blending with the rain around her.

Even through the raindrops, her face was clear.

A vision serene as a calm sky after rain, waiting.

Alex's action of unwrapping a candy froze.

Their eyes met.

In the depths of a once shadowed heart, a warmth began to spread.

And for years to come, Alex would remember this moment.

"Annie, get in," called Nanson.

"Coming," Anthea replied, getting into the car.

Nanson started the engine, and leaving the black

drove off

behind, which only moved mine

after

they had left. Contene

An hour later, they were home.

belongs

By then it was past six, so Anthea decided to order pizza for dinner.

During the meal, Nanson was glued to his phone, chuckling away.

"What's so funny, uncle? What game are you playing?" Anthea asked, curious.

"Did I laugh?" Nanson looked up, surprised.

Anthea nodded, "Yeah, you did."

Nanson touched his lips, "Guess I did, then."

He was chatting with Violet.

Turns out, Violet, who seemed so gentle at first glance, was incredibly witty in conversation.

Nanson was already fond of her, and their chat that evening only made him like her more.

Anthea glanced at Carole and whispered, "Mom, don't you think uncle's been acting weird tonight?"

Carole nodded, "He does seem a bit off."

The next day was the final day of exams.

Due to his late-night conversation with Violet, Nanson woke up with dark circles under his eyes.

"Uncle,

night.

should stay home today.

Mom and cab to the exam center," Anthea suggested. Material © of NôvelDrama.Org.

I can just take a todaet

"No way! I can't do that," Nanson protested. "Today's the last day of exams. I have to drive you there myself. One night of poor sleep is nothing. Back in my day, I'd stay up all night gaming and still go to work the next morning like nothing happened."