Her Granny’s ears were injured before. She could be a bit deaf sometimes. Thea put the hearing aids on her, smiling, “What now? Can you hear me better, don’t you?”
Granny smiled happily, “Yep. I can hear everything clearly. Thank you, Thea.”
Her Mom went to the kitchen and took a couple of dishes onto the table. Thea sat down and started to eat. She was so hungry as she had been on the train all day. The food was terrible. Nothing was like Mom’s homemade food.
“Why are you getting so skinny now.?” Her Mom asked, sounding a bit sad as she noticed Thea’s body.
“Mom, I’m not skinny.” Thea rolled up her sleeve and showed her Mom her toned muscle,” I’m healthier than before.”
“Just eat more, okay?” Her Mom ruffled her hair.
After dinner, Thea went back to her room and washed all her wrinkled makeup off.
The face revealed in the mirror had smooth skin and beautiful eyes. This was her true self. She looked so beautiful in the
mirror that Thea couldn’t even believe this was her after removing that fake disguise for months.
She noticed a sudden bloom on her face, and she was getting prettier.
****
Thea had a long and nice sleep in her own bedroom. The trip exhausted her body.
When she woke up the next day, it was already noon. Her Mom was preparing lunch after she came out of the bathroom.
Thea sat before the table and took in a greedy whiff of breath, “Mom, you’re such an amazing chef. You should open a restaurant again.”
Her Mom smiled, “I’d like to be your own chef. I don’t want to cook for other people except for my little girl.”
Granny looked a bit pissed off as Thea mentioned the restaurant, “It was all your dad’s fault! Your Mom would have opened plenty of restaurants if it were not his fault!”
Her Mom instantly put a plate of fried chips on the table, “Mom, stop mentioning that person. He isn’t worth our time.”
Her Granny shook her head and sat down in silence.
****
After lunch, Thea went out to take out the trash. However, she suddenly saw a familiar car when she got out. Three people got out of the car the minute it pulled over on the driveway.
Thea dashed forward as she saw the man’s face, “Wait! What do you want?!”
John Gordon turned around and saw his first daughter. A disgusted look appeared on his face, “You still have the guts to come back?”
“This is my house! Why can’t I come back?” Thea glared at him, “What the heck are you doing here?”
“I’m taking back my house,” John clenched his teeth, “This is my house! You’ve taken this place for a whole year. It’s time to give it back! You and your family need to get the hell out of here!”
Thea had never thought that people would turn into bad guys overnight. She had known her father for years, but now he suddenly became an asshole after marrying this woman. He’d rather raise that third wheel’s daughter than take care of Thea. He abandoned Thea and his wife without any remorse.
“My Mom owns that house! You have no right to take it away! Do you still have the slightest decency as a human? Mom has given you everything, but you’re still so greedy!” Thea almost yelled at her father.
That third wheel, Fiona, touched her swollen belly as she said, “Is that true, babe? Is she telling the truth? Is this house really Grace Todd’s? You promised to get it and make it my Yoga training house.”
John held Fiona’s back, “Of course, honey. The house will be yours. Don’t worry. I will get it for you.”
Holly, Fiona’s daughter, said unpleasantly, “Well, Dad, you made a promise. You need to get those flies out of this house. It’s so annoying to see their stupid faces.”
“Who are you calling flies? You’re a maggot!” Thea instantly responded.
Holly dashed forward and raised her hand.
However, Thea caught her hand before she could hit her. “Are you trying to hit me? How dare you!”
SLAP!
Before she could say anything more, however, John suddenly dashed forth and slapped her across her face.
“Don’t you talk to Holly like that!” John spat, “You need to let go of her quickly, or I will slap you again!”
Thea looked at her father in disbelief. Her tears rolled down immediately. Fiona and Holly smiled. Fiona covered her belly with one soft hand, pretending to be vulnerable, “John, stop. You’re scaring the baby.”
John went to her and held her back again, cooing, “It’s okay. Our baby is strong.”
Fiona blushed.
Holly urged, “Mom, Dad, stop standing here. Let’s get those idiots out of this house.”
“How dare you!” Thea stood in their way, “Are you really so shameless?! This house is my Mom’s property. I will take it to court and expose you on television if you dare to take it by force. If we have to live on the street, you all also need to suffer!”
Holly stopped in her course as she heard that Thea was gonna expose them. She was still dreaming of becoming a star. She couldn’t get sued, or else her reputation will get ruined.
She must cherish her reputation. So she turned to her parents, “Dad, Mom, I think we should return home.”
Fiona’s eyes widened, “Why do you want to go back, sweetie? We haven’t even got the house back.”
Holly frowned and gave a warning look at her mother, “We can still come here on another day.”
Fiona looked reluctant, her eyes going red while glaring at Thea, “Well, since you’re so generous, I guess we should leave now.”
John thought they were scared. He drummed his chest and promised, “Why are you leaving? It’s okay. I knew how to drive them out of the house. Everything will be fine.”
John was Holly’s biggest investor. She always tended to suck up on him. She smiled at her stepfather sweetly, “Daddy, my little brother in Mom’s belly will definitely be scared if we start a fight. I don’t want this house anymore, just for my little brother’s sake. Can we go now?”