Janet got to leave work on time today for her first design case was finally approved by her boss. She
seldom came home early these days, so Johanna was thrilled and turned to Beal.
“You go and buy something that Janet likes. We’ll have a big dinner tonight!”
Then, she smiled and held Janet’s hand.
“My dear, you’ve gone to work for only a week. Why have you lost so much weight?”
However, Janet felt the opposite. “You’re exaggerating, Mom. I feel I’ve gained a lot of weight.” After
getting to know Johanna and getting along with her, Janet felt she liked exaggerating everything.
Johanna smiled and chose not to say anything. Beal patted his legs and stood up from the sofa.
“All right. I’ll go to the grocery store right away. Janet, you grew up in Seacisco, right? So I presume
you’d like spicy food.” “Actually, I can’t eat spicy food.” Janet licked her lips sheepishly. Her taste had
always been different from that of the people in Seasisco.
Johanna and Beal exchanged glances and burst out laughing. Janet frowned in confusion.
“Why are you two laughing?” Beal shook his head, sighing.
“Your mother and I don’t like spicy food either. But Lila likes it. We occasionally make something spicy
just for her.” Beal soon returned from the grocery store and cooked a storm for dinner.
“Your father is an exceptional cook. I’ve learned a lot from him.” Johanna laughed and kept filling Janet’s
plate with food.
All the dishes were out of the world. Janet felt she must have inherited her cooking skills from her father.
Beal smiled at his wife’s compliment. Then, he turned to look at Janet.
“How are you doing in the new company? Do you like working there?” Janet’s face lit up when her dad
brought up her new job.
“It has been great so far, Dad. Everyone in the studio seems nice.” They laughed and chatted happily.
Lila ate in silence. The warm scene made her stomach churn with unease. It seemed like only the three
were a family and that she was a mere outsider. Besides, Beal and Johanna had been lauding Janet to
everyone all day long while Lila sat in a corner like a failure.
But despite the resentment, Lila knew she wasn’t as capable as Janet. She was lazy and could never
endure hardships and responsibilities like Janet.
Lila lost her appetite as she thought about it. She despised Janet. Now that Janet had become the
daughter of a wealthy family,she could have enjoyed the privilege of leading a luxurious life without doing
anything. But she insisted on going to work. Lila felt like a loser; it was stressful.
“I’m full. Enjoy yourselves.” She wiped her mouth with a napkin and stood up. Lila couldn’t watch the
sweet interaction anymore. It upset her. Therefore, she decided to leave.
Seeing that, Johanna served some more food to Janet’s plate and said, “You two eat first. I need to talk
to Lila about something.”
Beal and Johanna looked at each other and nodded in silent gesture. Lila returned to her room,
depressed. Johanna quickly followed upstairs.
“What’s the matter, Mom?” Lila’s face softened. She couldn’t help but wonder if her mother had noticed
her displeasure. Was Johanna here to comfort her? Johanna entered Lila’s room and closed the door
behind her.
“Lila, I have chosen a guy for you.”
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