Chapter 20: Mary was kicked out of the house by her mother

Book:You're My Destiny Published:2024-6-3

Yet another funeral was unfolding in this frigid house. The departed may be at peace, but those left behind wore hearts heavy as lead. Mary sat by her grandmother’s altar, expression sad and melancholy. Startled, she heard a peculiar sound emanating from the living room. They had returned once again.
The man from the other day sneered dismissively and arrogantly voiced his question.
“So, have you managed to gather the funds yet? There aren’t many patient individuals like my boss in this world.”
His underlings also broke into raucous laughter. A few casually damaged objects create a discordant soundtrack.
Mary seethed with anger, ready to retort, but he was quicker to strike first. He delivered a thunderous slap across her face, sending her reeling, yet her hand managed to steady itself on the table by the wall. She looked up at him, her eyes ablaze with crimson fury, wishing she could throw him behind bars at that moment.
“Is it that the term of our agreement has not yet expired, yet you dare to break your promise?”
He laughed uproariously, his voice icy as he threw reckless words at her.
“What deadline? This is your first time dealing with usury. We don’t need any contracts. We need to know that you owe us. Feel free to take that piece of paper and complain to the local authorities, but remember to keep yourself safe first. If I remember correctly, a few days ago, there were three of you. Now, only two are left.”
Mary’s weary face instantly turned to one of dread at his words. But she didn’t back down; she took out her phone to call the police. Before she could dial, the phone was snatched from her hand and violently thrown to the floor. He threatened her again in a menacing tone.
“In this land, no law holds sway over our master, so don’t even attempt to play the chicken to scare the monkey. If you know what’s good for you, put your signature on the paper agreeing to transfer the company and other family assets to us, and consider this matter settled.”
Upstairs, Mrs. Frank, hearing the commotion, rushed down and yanked the paper from Mary’s hand. Once she understood the situation, she threw a glance as sharp as a bullet toward Mary and cried out loud.
“You, what are you doing? Are you trying to usurp my family’s assets? We’ve never wronged you. How can you betray us?”
Mrs. Frank wailed, berating Mary, her eyes radiating resentment.
“My husband, open your eyes and see what we have nurtured! They may have been conspiring to harm us from the beginning. What have I done in my past life to deserve this kind of treason?”
Mary attempted to explain, but Mrs. Frank adamantly refused to accept. The situation grew increasingly tangled. The man, observing the chaos, had no desire to linger. He laid down an ultimatum.
“I give you two twenty-four hours to make your decision. I will return tomorrow.”
He signaled for his subordinates to retreat. Mary sat down to the floor beside her mother, grasping her mother’s arm, but Mrs. Frank, the latter, swipe hand brushed her aside.
Yet, Mary persevered, her voice choked with sobs, “Mother, please forgive me. I will find a way.”
Mrs. Frank lifted her face to meet Mary’s teary eyes, resentment reaching its zenith.
“Because of you, I lost my daughter. For years, you’ve stolen her place. Everything you have should’ve been hers. My poor daughter, God knows where she is now. How can I possibly forgive you?”
Mrs. Frank gripped Mary’s neck as if intending to strangle her. For the first time, she felt her mother causing her pain. As much as she had been loved before, she was now hated. Mary understood she owed a tremendous debt to their family that she could never repay, even unto death.
Raindrops beat against the glass, blurring the formerly clear window. The heavy rain distorted the outside world, just as her heart was imprisoned by guilt. Mrs. Frank was right – if it weren’t for her grandmother’s greed, she wouldn’t have enjoyed such a prosperous, fulfilled life until now.
The heavens have a wicked sense of humor, for she was born as an infant burdened with a sin she knew nothing about. She couldn’t fathom why her grandmother had swapped her, but from that moment, she had to live with an identity that did not belong to her.
With a hardened countenance, Mrs. Frank ascended to the upper level, only to descend later, carrying a suitcase. She threw it down harshly before Mary, pointed a finger at her, and spat out bitter words.
“Go away! Leave my home immediately. There is no longer room for you here.”
Mary was utterly confused. Her beloved mother had suddenly become a stranger or, more accurately, someone who despised her to her very core.
Mary moved closer to her. Her eyes, filled with sorrow, pleaded for a smidge of compassion.
“Mother, please don’t cast me away. We used to be mother and daughter. I know you loved me, and I reciprocated that love. I promise I’ll help you find her again. Please give me a chance to atone for this mistake.”
Mrs. Frank coldly backed away, rebuffing Mary’s plea. She closed her eyes tightly as if she couldn’t bear to hear or see her anymore.
“Just go. Our bond can be considered as over. I never want to see you again.”
Outside, the rain was falling heavier by the minute. Mary, alone, lugged her suitcase away in the chilling cold. She had never imagined herself ever facing such a pitiful situation.
As the night deepened, the streets became eerily deserted and eerily silent. A lone girl walked in the rain like a lost soul. She could have taken shelter under the porch of any house to wait out the rain, but she kept walking. She did not know where to stop.
Her feet were freezing, numbed by the cold. It was summer, yet the persistent downpour was more akin to winter. The rain failed to wash away her loneliness; it bathed her soul in profound sorrow.
She was like a bird separated from its flock, unable to return to its nest. She had to wander the vast expanse of the world until her tired body gave out and collapsed. Her solitary figure on the extended, desolate road was heartbreaking, a picture of loneliness and disorientation.