Arielle Moore and Vinson Nightshire

Chapter 1781 I Hate You

Lena cradled her cheek that had gotten struck as she stared at Abigail with disbelief. "Mommy, I hate you!" she shouted before dashing outside. Worried that something would happen to the little girl, Arielle quickly hurried after her.

Abigail gazed at her hand in disbelief. How could I... How could I have struck Lena? I risked my life to give birth to her. Her heart ached as though it were getting pricked by needles when she recalled how Lena said she hated her.

As for Anna, she merely snorted with disdain after taking in the scene. "Are you trying to gain my sympathy by putting on a pitiful act? Hah! I'm not falling for that." With that, she got up and left. Abigail gazed at Anna's retreating figure, a pained look flashing across her eyes.

I know she hates me because her mother wouldn't have died if I hadn't been in the picture. I was unfair to her and her mother. Lena and I are the ones who wronged them. That's why ever since Lena could understand, I taught her to be nice to Anna and listen to her. I don't know when it happened, but Lena suddenly changed.

She doesn't listen to Anna anymore and is no longer Anna's obedient little sister. That's why I couldn't control myself when I heard Lena talking to Anna like that and ended up slapping her. B-But it wasn't on purpose... I was only angry because Lena was disobedient and refused to apologize to Anna. I didn't mean to slap her...

At that thought, Abigail quickly hurried outside after them. Meanwhile, Lena hugged her knees as she sat on the lawn in the mansion's back garden. She had her head bowed low, bawling her eyes out.

Arielle sat next to her and gently pulled the latter into her embrace. "Ms. Moore..." Lena clung to Arielle and sobbed inconsolably.

It's not just because she's young. Even someone the same age as me would still feel aggrieved after getting slapped by their mother.

Arielle could not help feeling distressed as she watched Lena crying bitterly. She gently patted the girl's back and said tenderly, "There, there. Don't cry. I know how you feel."

"Tell me, Ms. Moore. Why do you think Mommy treats Anna so well? Anna doesn't respect Mommy and always makes her cry. I hate Mommy. I never want to like her again," said Lena, feeling terribly upset. I've always stood on Mommy's side, so why must she treat me like this?

It was clear to Arielle that Anna and Lena were half-sisters who shared the same father but different mothers. And based on Lena's mother's attitude toward Anna, the former must have done something to hurt Anna or Anna's mother. From how Lena's mother tolerates Anna, she's probably trying to make up for what she did.

"Lena, I know you feel aggrieved. However, don't say things like you hate or dislike your mother."

"Why not? She's already gone as far as to slap me because of that evil sister of mine," Lena responded angrily through tears.

Arielle tilted Lena's head upward, took a tissue from her pocket, and wiped the latter's tears. Only then did she gaze at the girl and say, "Because your mother risked her life to give birth to you, that's why. Your mother raised you all these years, from when you were a tiny baby until now. She has given you her love and her time. It'd crush her if she heard you say you'll never like her again."

Lena pursed her lips. She was also aware she had gone a little too far with what she said.

"Then what should I do? Back there in the living room, I already said I hated her."