“Thank goodness you’re not really part of the family, or else you would have embarrassed our entire family!”
Ranita argued with Chole. Her heart was solely focused on Benedict’s surgery, and while Chole could insult her all she wanted, she couldn’t let her insult Ayaan.
“Chole, watch your words! Regardless of whether Ayaan’s father and I were once legally married or not, you have no right to judge me or my child,” Ranita said firmly.
“Dad is having surgery today. Please show some respect,” she added before walking away from Chole.
But Chole caught up to her and raised a hand in anger. Ranita quickly grabbed her wrist and lifted the hot water cup as a warning. “Chole, if you dare lay a hand on me again, this cup might spill.”
“Oh yeah? Go ahead then!” Chole taunted back. “It’s not like it’s the first time you’ve tried to kill me anyway!”
Ranita tried to control her anger as she responded calmly, “Chole, get a grip! I’ve never done anything to hurt you; it’s just your own paranoia.”
“You still won’t admit it?” Chole growled back at her. “It wasn’t just me who knows about what happened; our parents and brother know too! You enjoyed fifteen years of my life but now want me dead? No one is more disgusting than you!”
Ranita’s heart ached faintly.
Because of Chole’s hostility and humiliation, she thought about moving away from the Bowman family, even if it meant being accused of ingratitude and not wanting to return to the Bowman family.
“Chole, I’ll say it again! I have never harmed you! Please stop saying that I’ve done something to hurt you,” Ranita pleaded.
But Chole continued to press on relentlessly, “Do you really think I would believe you?”
Chole swung her hand aside and reached for the hot water cup. In the struggle, the cup tilted, and the hot water spilled onto Chole’s lower leg.
“Ah! It’s burning!” Chole screamed.
Ranita didn’t expect this accident to happen. She was about to bring her to the bathroom to rinse the burn with cold water when she heard Jedidiah’s anxious voice from behind, “What happened here?”
“Brother!” Chole immediately cried out in grievance, “Ranita splashed hot water on me!”
“Chole, don’t lie! It was you who took my cup, and you accidentally burned yourself. I didn’t splash hot water on you!” Ranita defended herself in front of Jedidiah.
Unable to contain herself, she justified herself in front of Jedidiah.
Jedidiah frowned and tried to calm Chole, “Chole, didn’t you promise me that you wouldn’t have conflicts with Ranita? Did you forget? Or do you want Mom to hear and see you two arguing?”
Chole’s anger turned her eyes red. “Brother, you’ve always favored Ranita! I’m your real sister, the one who shares the same blood with you!”
“Why do you always take her side?”
Jedidiah explained helplessly, “Chole, when did I favor Ranita? Both of you are my sisters, and I treat you both the same!”
“Then why don’t you believe me?” Chole retorted.
“Chole, please don’t get so worked up. Dad had surgery today, so can we all try to get along peacefully?” Jedidiah held Chole back and shook his head at Ranita, signaling her with his eyes.
Ranita pursed her lips, feeling bitter inside.
“Chole, I’m sorry! I didn’t hold the cup properly, and it burned you. Please forgive me.” Ranita’s words had just finished when a searing pain struck her cheek.
Chole had slapped her.