Sweet Sorrow

As Nicole walked down the street with her suitcase in hand, her phone suddenly rang. It was Austin's mother, Selina Zhang. For a while, Nicole deliberated whether or not she should pick up. With a sigh, she answered the call and put the phone to her ear.

"Blanche said you just came back. Is this true?" Selina Zhang asked in an angry voice.

"Yes," Nicole replied in low spirits.

"Well, you'd better come here right this instant. Tom came by yesterday and gave me some delicious pork ribs. I need you to make some soup,"

Selina Zhang ordered in her usual, bossy tone.

"I..." Nicole stammered, getting all flustered, "I don't think I--"

But before she could finish her words, Selina Zhang said on the phone, "The doctor told me to drink more soup to supplement nutrition when I went to the hospital yesterday. You can come later. I'll take out the spareribs from the frozen room."

The phone was directly hung up, and Nicole didn't have a chance to express her will.

She hesitated for a while and decided to go to her mother-in-law's home.

"How was Blanche feeling?" Selina Zhang asked upon Nicole's arrival.

"She's fine!" Nicole bit her lip and answered indifferently, "She and her baby are doing pretty good."

"I'm going to give her a call. You should start cooking dinner now. The ribs are on the table."

Then Selina Zhang impatiently waved her hand, and entered her bedroom with her phone in her hand.

Nicole clenched her teeth, trying her best not to snap back at Selina Zhang.

For over a month, Nicole had been taking care of Selina Zhang's daughter wholeheartedly. Despite this, Selina Zhang didn't even really care about how Nicole was nor did she even mutter any words of thanks.

There was no warmth or love here for Nicole.

After stewing the sparerib soup, Nicole cooked some rice and prepared some other dishes. She put them on the table and went to Selina's bedroom to tell her that dinner was ready.

As Selina chatted away on the phone, her face was full of smiles. She had never smiled at Nicole that way when she was talking to Blanche Liang.

finally hung up the phone and walked

Nicole had prepared. When she had finished eating, she looked

Wash my clothes

surprised.

can't be right. Did Austin lie to his

she decided not to expose his

big pile of laundry. What's worse, Nicole had to wash it all by hand since Selina

not washed a single article of clothing ever since Nicole went to

"I'm still feeling a bit weak," Selina explained as she gently rubbed her hands. "That's why I

thought of her own mother, who was old and incapable to do any hard

washing everything. Feeling so exhausted, she slumped on the sofa and

the next morning, Selina woke Nicole up. "There are so many things in this house that need some decent cleaning," Selina said to her. "Oh, and when you're

had

outside. Don't just sit here quietly. Go and

Nicole was doing nothing, Selina asked

of Austin, Nicole became angry and retorted, "He eats very well

instantly pulled. "What nonsense are

teeth and said

you talking about! My son works so hard to earn money outside. Why do you still feel wronged to cook an egg custard for him? Don't act like you are

won't let him raise any more in the future!"

spoken to Selina in such a

shocked and dumbfounded. At that moment, the front door opened with a

see. I will not spare you

door and opened it. She grabbed

lowered her head,

cry, but

go inside and have a rest. I'll talk with Nicole," Austin said in

a better education!" Selina said with a snort, "Otherwise, she might become even

came over and reached

quickly moved her

like. Don't make her angry. After

with tears. "I made her angry? How could I make her angry? I have been bossed around her like a servant. How is