Chapter 2 Apologize to My Mom

Wendy closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened them again. "I get it," she said.

Juniper smirked. "Then get to it."

But instead of grabbing the mop, Wendy turned and headed for the front door.

"Where do you think you're going? Trying to run away?" Juniper hurried after her, grabbing her arm. "If you dare run, I'll call Ethan right now and show him how disrespectful you are!"

Wendy yanked her arm free. "Go ahead, call him."

Juniper was taken aback by Wendy's sudden defiance and stood there, stunned.

As Wendy was about to leave, Juniper snapped out of it and grabbed her again. "You bitch! How dare you talk back to me! Are you rushing out to flirt with other men? I'll beat you!"

Wendy didn't expect the sudden attack and couldn't dodge in time. She took two slaps to the face.

Juniper slapped Wendy hard on both cheeks, then lunged at her, yanking her long hair and screaming, "You wretch! How dare you defy me! I'll ruin your face today!"

Wendy's head was ringing. When she came to, Juniper was still pulling her hair with all her might.

"I'll teach you a lesson today! Ethan is so capable, and he married a useless jinx like you! You've brought nothing but bad luck, almost killing your entire family, and you can't even get pregnant! Now you dare put on airs in front of me? I'll beat you to death!"

Juniper's rage grew, and her blows became more vicious.

Wendy's scalp was in agony. Unable to bear it any longer, she grabbed Juniper's wrist and pushed her away with all her strength.

Caught off guard, Juniper fell to the ground, her cheek swelling rapidly.

She clutched her face, eyes wide with shock, and screamed, "You dare push me?"

Wendy adjusted her hair, looking at Juniper, who was cursing her from the floor, feeling utterly disheartened.

Back when Ethan's company was struggling, Wendy had used her own money to buy Juniper supplements, clothes, and shoes.

At that time, Juniper had always worn a loving smile, constantly praising Wendy.

As the Collins Group grew, Juniper's health declined, and Wendy devoted herself to caring for her at home.

She managed Juniper's diet and health, helping her recover from numerous ailments until she was healthier and more robust than her peers.

And yet, now, Juniper found her a nuisance.

Juniper's health improved, but Wendy fell seriously ill.

The irony was overwhelming: Juniper was using the body Wendy had nursed back to health to bully her!

It was laughable, utterly laughable!

Wendy's eyes grew moist as she coldly watched Juniper.

Juniper got up, pointing at Wendy's nose and cursing, "How dare you glare at me! You jinx, you worthless piece of trash! Anyone who gets involved with you is doomed!"

Wendy stared at her coldly, unmoving like a statue.

"Mom." Ethan's voice came from the doorway.

Hearing his voice, Juniper became even more agitated, sitting on the floor and wailing, "Ethan, you're finally back! Wendy almost killed me!"

Ethan frowned as he entered, seeing Juniper in tears. He rushed to help her up. "Mom, what happened?"

Juniper wiped her tears and accused Wendy, "It's that jinx you married! She freeloads at home and now dares to hit me! I'm so miserable!"

Wendy stood there, head bowed, silent.

She knew it was pointless to argue.

Over the years, Juniper had grown increasingly critical of her, constantly finding fault and making her life difficult.

If the food was too salty, the water too hot, or the spotless floor not clean enough, Juniper would make her redo everything.

Whenever Wendy sat down to rest, Juniper would berate her and sometimes even hit her.

At first, Wendy tried to defend herself, but Ethan always believed Juniper. Over time, she stopped explaining and let Juniper have her way.

Maybe that way, she could maintain the facade of a harmonious marriage.

"Come here." Ethan was silent for a moment, then gestured for Wendy to come over.

Wendy lowered her head and walked over, unsure of what to expect.

"Apologize!" Ethan commanded coldly.

"What?" Wendy looked up in shock, staring at Ethan's stern face.

"I said apologize! Admit your mistake to my mother!" Ethan's voice grew harsher.

Wendy stared at Ethan.

He had once been the caring college friend who brought her hot breakfast on cold mornings.

He would warm her icy hands in his own.

He would hold her hand, accompany her to the library, and help her with her studies.

He would carry her on his back through snowy paths.

In those youthful, beautiful days, he had cherished her like the most precious treasure in the world.

Now, his eyes were filled with disdain and impatience, as if she were nothing but filth.

He looked at her with such loathing.

Wendy felt a sudden sense of unfamiliarity as she looked at Ethan's cold face.

The gentle eyes she once knew were gone, replaced by shadows and harshness.

She looked at Ethan, her lips trembling, but no words came out.

In that moment, she wanted to tell Ethan that she was seriously ill, that she might die. Would he then show her a bit of compassion and care? Would he treat her like he used to?

But begging for someone's concern and affection through illness was too pathetic, too ridiculous!

Seeing her still standing there, Juniper began wailing again, "Oh, my poor Ethan! How did you end up marrying such a jinx, bringing chaos to our home? I've worked hard all my life, and now I have to suffer her abuse. I can't go on living!"

Ethan's expression grew colder, his tone more severe. "Apologize to my mom!"

Juniper's crying stopped abruptly, and she looked at Wendy with smug satisfaction, certain that Wendy would give in.

Wendy looked at Ethan, a mocking smile forming on her lips. "I did nothing wrong..."

Before she could finish, Ethan cut her off harshly. "Nothing wrong?"

Ethan glared at Wendy, veins bulging on his forehead. "You pushed my mom to the ground! And you say you did nothing wrong? She's old! What if she broke a bone? Can you handle the consequences?"

Juniper immediately began to wail again, "Oh, my life is so hard!"

Wendy looked at her, suddenly finding the whole scene absurdly comical.

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, they were calm and untroubled, like a deep, still pond. She spoke coldly, "I said I did nothing wrong!"

"You!" Ethan laughed bitterly in exasperation, then suddenly kicked Wendy's leg, making her collapse.