From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea ) novel Chapter 50

Latonia had been there, a silent witness to the whole saga.

She watched helplessly as Carole naively stumbled into a love that was nothing but a beautifully adorned trap.

No one knew better than Latonia the bitter years Carole had endured since then.

"It's not for him," Carole said, her face calm as she clasped Latonia's hands. "I genuinely enjoy being on my own."

Latonia sighed with concern and warmth. "Carole, you're only thirty-eight, still so young. You can't let one bad relationship color your view of the entire world. There are good men out there. Let go of the past and be open to new experiences."

"Latonia, I know you mean well," Carole replied, her voice tinged with tired honesty. "But right now, I don't want to think about all that. I only want to focus on raising Ann."

After so much turmoil, Carole had no appetite for new romances. Her sole ambition was to watch her daughter, Anthea, grow up and find her slice of happiness. Even the bitterness had faded from her heart. What was there to hate when everything seemed to have shifted so irrevocably? Fate had dealt its hand, and there was little point in fighting it.

"I just worry about you being all alone," Latonia said, leaning in for a comforting hug.

As a woman herself, Latonia understood the struggles of single motherhood well.

Carole patted Latonia's back reassuringly. "I'm okay, Latonia."

She had weathered many storms and didn't consider her life particularly hard.

Seeing Carole so resolute, Latonia dropped the subject.

As the clock struck ten, thoughts of preparing lunch began to cross Carole's mind.

Anthea emerged from her room and announced, "Mom, no need to cook today. I've ordered delivery."

"Alright," Carole nodded in agreement.

Latonia playfully scolded, "Why spend money on food delivery, kiddo? We're like family. A simple meal would've been just fine."

Anthea laughed. "As long as Latonia doesn't mind, it's all good." She had just received a hefty commission and wanted to celebrate the arrival of a guest in style.

To Baldie, it seemed like a clear case of Anthea choosing to lower herself.

In the evening, when Anthea arrived for her shift at the rotisserie where Baldie worked, he was sitting at the bar, doing his homework. For the first time, he didn't greet her.

Unexpectedly, his silence had met with indifference. Anthea didn't acknowledge him either, which stung more than he'd anticipated.

Eventually, he couldn't bear it and approached her. "Ann?"

She looked up, "What's up?"

"Do you know Sarah?" he asked.

"Yeah," Anthea nodded. "She's a good friend of mine. You know her?"

Baldie shook his head, his face neutral but his eyes betraying disdain. "I don't, but my cousin does. They were classmates in middle school. I've heard that Sarah started working right after middle school. Is that true?"