Chapter 1256
Evelyn gazed at Thalassa with sorrow etched deep in her eyes. Thalassa, I got the sack today,” she said, her voice tinged with despair. The boss said I was too clumsy, that I couldn’t even clean properly. Am I just useless? I can’t seem to do anything right.”
For a while, Evelyn had worked as a janitor, grappling with the bitterness and the hard graft of the job. It was only now that she truly understood the struggle of working out in the world. Even in a job as seemingly simple as cleaning, there was isolation and reprimand.
She felt a newfound empathy for Thalassa and the hardships she had faced while working away from home. Every day Thalassa came home exhausted, and there she was adding to her daughter’s burden with scolding words and undue pressure. It was truly improper.
Thalassa’s heart was already heavy, and Evelyn’s confession only tightened its grip. A warmth spread in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around Evelyn’s back, hugging her close. “Mom, it’s okay. You can rest at home, maybe join the occasional line dancing in the park. You don’t need to work. Who says you’re useless? You raised four kids, and that makes you the greatest.”
“No, I’m not. I’m tarnished. I was brainwashed by Bruce, tormented, living a life worse than death.” Evelyn’s words were heavy with pain, her fingers clutching at Thalassa’s shirt.
Thalassa felt her shirt dampen, warmth seeping through to her skin.
To her shock, her mother was crying!
In that instant, Thalassa’s own composure shattered, tears streaming down her face as she clung to her mother.
Fighting back the bitter tears, she consoled Evelyn, “Mom, don’t talk like that. You’re a victim too. It’s Bruce who’s the monster. He’ll get what’s coming to him one day. You’re the best mom anyone could ask for.”
Evelyn’s grip on Thalassa’s shirt tightened, creasing the fabric as she fought to hold back her inner turmoil.
Thalassa could feel her mother’s body tense with pain, a clear sign of Evelyn’s anguish.
With a trembling voice, Thalassa spoke with remorse and guilt, “Mom, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I’ve been too busy lately, not spending time with you.”
She knew her mother was struggling emotionally, yet she had been too wrapped up in her own life, leaving Evelyn to suffer alone.
She was at fault for her negligence.
“You’re busy with work. You don’t need to be with me,” Evelyn said, her spirits low, yet still
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Chapter 1256
considering Thalassa’s well-being.
Evelyn, who used to complain and criticize Thalassa, had become sensitive and melancholic now. Thalassa would rather endure her mother’s daily nagging and scolding than see her this despondent.
Thalassa released Evelyn’s shoulders, looked her straight in the eye and said firmly, “Mom, I’m going to take a week off work. I’ll take you on a trip to relax a bit. How do you think? Or we could go back to Hollowbrook and help Aunt Astrid with her garden.”
“Won’t Astrid worry if she sees me like this?” Evelyn was aware of her troubling state.
Thalassa realized that if they went back to their family home in Hollowbrook, Aunt Astrid would indeed worry upon seeing Evelyn so dejected, especially with Astrid’s own health issues.
“We’ll go for a trip then,” Thalassa said excitedly, despite the deep sense of helplessness and exhaustion. “We’ll see the beautiful landscapes of our country, take in the diverse cultural sights. I need a break too, a carefree journey can help us forget anything upset.”
“But what about your job?” Evelyn asked, concerned.
“It’s fine. My boss is understanding. Taking a few days off won’t be an issue,” Thalassa reassured her. “Besides, I’ve been longing for a travel myself, but I had no one to go with. Now I have my dear mom to join me.
Thalassa tried to summon a smile, to lift Evelyn’s spirits.
Hearing that Thalassa wanted to travel and that she could accompany her, Evelyn finally nodded her agreement.
“Alright, I’ll cook us dinner. We’ll eat, have a good night’s rest and set off tomorrow,” Thalassa said, pulling out a tissue and gently wiping the tears from Evelyn’s cheeks.
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