After a prolonged silence, Karen let out a sigh, her head hung low. "Man, you say Everett's a stand-up guy, but why on earth did he have to get stuck with parents like that? You two are so in love, and yet...” "The Lopezes look down on me, no surprise there." Dorothy said with stark self-awareness.
She knew all too well why Everett's parents despised her— simply because their prestigious family name was out of reach for her humbleness. And, in all fairness, it was true.
But that didn't give them the right to hurt her mother, to treat the lives of ordinary folks as if they were disposable! Dorothy had no desire to social-climb by holding on to the Lopezes' coattails. But she wasn't going to let herself be slaughtered like a lamb as they coerced her to such a situation.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"And they think Heather, that illegitimate daughter, is worthy of them? If you ask me, once her real background is revealed, she'll be the one bringing shame to the Lopezes! Here you are, hard at work, honest money in your pocket, and you're still inferior to some other woman's kid?" Karen could understand the Lopezes' fixation on their status to some extent, but Heather was hardly from some illustrious lineage! Maxton, her father, had a bit of cash, sure, but it just was a drop in the bucket compared to the wealth of the Lopezes.
"Because Everett's mom has been grooming Heather to be the perfect daughter-in-law. All her credentials and identity have been carefully curated to make the match.” Dorothy explained.
"You should've just exposed what Heather truly is from the get-go. Let everyone know she's an illegitimate child. That would've put the Lopezes in a bind," Karen said with conviction. If she had been in Dorothy’s shoes, she would have let the whole world know, as nobody was going to tread on her! "Karen, you still don’t get how society works," Dorothy laughed, though there was a hint of sadness in her voice. "Money and power can change everything. In the end, | might be the one labeled as the illegitimate child." "There's really no justice at all!" "Exactly," Dorothy agreed, her voice heavy.
She knew all too well how difficult it was going to be to challenge the Lopezes and seek justice for her mother's death. The road ahead was fraught with obstacles. Nothing was certain.
The only thing Dorothy was sure of was that she would do all to uncover the truth. The person responsible for her mother's demise would not get off scot-free.
After taking a breath of fresh air with Karen, they waited for Jeffrey to come down and join them before Karen reluctantly escorted Dorothy back inside.
"Everett told me to take care of her. Don't worry." Jeffrey told Dorothy.
Karen frowned instantly. "I don't need your care. | can find a hotel myself!" "C’mon, I'm the host!" Watching the two bickering from the moment they met, Dorothy couldn't help but intervene.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Enough, Karen! We're strangers in a strange land. Just stick with Jeffrey. If Everett trusts him, it's probably fine." "It's not that I'm scared of him! | just can't stand him!" Karen kept her distance, never forgetting how Jeffrey had bullied her best friend in the past. A few harsh words wouldn't settle the score! "Dorothy's heading back to Everett now. If you don't come with me, I'm leaving on my own." Jeffrey said, clearly not a compromiser.
Realizing she was causing Dorothy troubles, Karen quickly changed her tune. "Fine, I'll go with you, but at least make sure I'm out safely!" Dorothy couldn't help but laugh at their constant squabbling. As she watched them leave the hospital, she finally felt at ease.
Wheeling herself around, she headed towards Everett's room.
At the door, she bumped into Dr. Quincy cladding in his white coat.
"Ms. Sanchez, | was just looking for you. Mr. Lopez asked me to inspect on your leg injury!"