Silent Dreams Never Die — Author: John Miller 317
Awakened Housewife; Ignore Betrayer’s Begs
Chapter 317 A Mother’s Cruelty
Finished
Especially that Scarlett–how could she have given birth to such a spoiled, ungrateful little thing?
Finally, after washing up and collapsing into bed, Maria had just sunk into a deep sleep when Vanessa started wailing again.
Jolted awake, Maria couldn’t stifle her frustration. “You little monster,” she muttered under her breath. “Why didn’t your mother smother you at birth?”
Even as she cursed, she forced herself to sit up and gather Vanessa into her arms, attempting to shush her.
But no matter how she rocked or whispered, Vanessa’s cries only grew louder and more piercing.
In desperation, Maria called Vincent. He was likely preoccupied with Sabrina’s research crisis, as it took him a long time to answer.
When he finally did, Maria quickly explained the situation.
Hearing this, Vincent asked her to put Vanessa on the phone. He tried to soothe his daughter with a soft voice, but her crying persisted. Sabrina also spoke a few comforting words into the receiver, to no avail.
It was then that Vincent wondered if Vanessa simply missed her mother. So, he called Scarlett.
Maria hadn’t expected Scarlett to outright refuse to come back. But upon reflection, what mother would willingly step in to comfort a child who was clinging to her husband’s mistress? If it were Maria herself, she wouldn’t have returned either.
With Vincent and Sabrina “busy“, the burden of the distraught child fell squarely back on Maria’s shoulders.
At first, she managed to muster some patience. But the more she tried to calm Vanessa, the louder the child sobbed. Maria’s tolerance wore thin and finally snapped.
“Cry, cry, cry! Is that all you know?” she snapped, her voice sharp in the dark room. “Wailing as if someone died! Do you want to cry your father to an early grave? Or your mother?”
Maria didn’t hold back. Her tone was vicious, the words deliberately cruel.
Vanessa’s tear–streaked face froze. The sudden verbal assault made her small body tremble with shock. Her crying ceased abruptly.
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She stared blankly at Maria, too stunned to speak.
Maria glared back, her eyes hard. “If you want to sleep, then sleep. If not, you can go and make yourself useful as coyote bait.”
outside
Vanessa’s lower lip trembled. She pressed her lips tightly together, not daring to make another sound, though soft, helpless whimpers still escaped her. This fierce woman was nothing like the gentle, doting Maria she knew.
Having vented her rage, Maria lay back down. She was exhausted from the day’s move, her body aching. How could she be expected to handle a hysterical child on top of it all? Reaching her breaking point, she decided she was done pretending.
But as she lay there in the silence, a sliver of doubt crept in. Perhaps she had gone too far. After all, her daughter’s future was tied to Vincent. Being openly cruel to his child wasn’t wise, even if the brat deserved it. She didn’t want to create complications for Sabrina.
The thought left her restless, sleep now even further away.
Vanessa, still sitting up, watched Maria lie down. Fearful, she slowly lay down too. She inched closer and whispered timidly, “Maria… are you mad at me?”
Maria was already thinking of a way to smooth things over. Vanessa’s question provided the perfect opening.
She turned and pulled the child into an embrace, her voice softening into its familiar, sugary tone. “I was just so scared you’d make yourself sick from crying, sweetheart. That’s why I sounded so cross. You must be a good girl and not tell anyone about this, okay? It’ll be our little
secret.”
Vanessa snuggled into the hug, sniffling quietly before nodding. “Okay.”
Secretly, Maria had been prepared to threaten that Sabrina would abandon her if she told. She was surprised Vanessa agreed so easily.
*****
The next morning, as soon as Vanessa was up, Sabrina returned to the villa.
Seeing her, Vanessa scrambled out of bed, barefoot, and ran to throw her arms around Sabrina’s legs, bursting into fresh tears. “Sabrina! You’re back!”
Sabrina knelt down, cupping Vanessa’s face. “What’s wrong, darling? Did you have a bad night?”
Vanessa said nothing about the previous night’s incident. She just looked up with pleading eyes. “I don’t want to go to school today. Can you stay home with me?”
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Sabrina’s expression turned apologetic. “Oh, sweetie, I can’t today. I have a scheduled meeting with my dissertation advisor.”
Vanessa’s face fell, her little mouth turning down in a pout. “Oh… okay.”
Noting her disappointment, Sabrina tried to offer an alternative. “How about Maria stays with you?”
The memory of Maria’s fury last night made Vanessa recoil instinctively. “No!” she said, more forcefully than intended.
Sabrina frowned, sensing something was off. “What’s the matter? Did something happen?”
Vanessa didn’t elaborate. She just shrugged and said, “I’d rather go back to keep Great- Grandfather company.” –
Sabrina didn’t press further. “Alright then. I’ll walk you over.”
After dropping Vanessa off at Ravenshade Villa, Sabrina returned to the neighboring villa and went straight to the kitchen, where Maria was preparing breakfast.
“Mom,” Sabrina said as she entered.
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