The Heart Never Forgets

Chapter-12

CHAPTER-12

Morris Anderson's dining room is very large, and Tina Anderson has arranged a light evening meal on the table. Today, Lucy Nelson is with them. Tina Anderson still can't understand how the lady has remained so beautiful. Since her husband's death, she has been under tremendous pressure; it's truly difficult for a single mother to manage everything alone, which is evident from looking at Lucy Johnson. For a single woman, managing all the household chores, office work, and taking care of a beautiful teenage daughter is not an easy task.

Despite all this, Lucy Johnson's beauty doesn't diminish; instead, it seems to be increasing day by day. Her daughter, Della, has undoubtedly inherited her beauty and qualities. Although Tina is not as beautiful and accomplished as Lucy, she is the cleverest person in this area. Otherwise, how could she have kept the mother and daughter trapped in such trouble? For so many years, they have kept the mother and daughter entangled in a complex web. But lately, the daughter has started to become a little restless, and there's a risk that she might break free from the strong web they've woven over the years.

To prevent this from happening, they need to take precautions in advance. That's why Tina and Morris have invited Lucy over for a meal today. They need to discuss some things. If they delay any longer, everything will slip through their fingers. Now is the time to bring the mother, daughter, and all their property under their control.

Tina carefully poured green tea into a cup and offered it to Lucy.

Tina: Lucy, we hardly see you these days. I know you're very busy, but I'm saying, you could spend some of your free time with us occasionally, couldn't you? We would love to have you around.

Taking a sip of tea and placing the cup back on the table, Lucy continued...

Lucy: Actually, the only time I have is the time I spend sleeping at night. Since Della's father passed away, all my time has been spent raising my daughter, Tina.

Morris: Hmm, we understand all your difficulties. Becoming a widow at such a young age and raising a daughter is a huge responsibility.

Lucy: Morris, it's true, you have always been by my side.

Morris: Yes, we were. And we still are. Once Della becomes our Lucas's wife, all your worries will be over, won't they, Lucy?

Lucy looked somewhat embarrassed. It seemed Morris's last words didn't sit well with Lucy. Seeing Lucy's silence, Tina became quite worried. Lucy seemed to be lost in thought; Tina tried to read her mind but couldn't. As foolish as Della is as a girl, Lucy is equally clever as a mother. If she couldn't bring Lucy around now, there would be trouble. Tina cleared her throat.

Tina: What's wrong, Lucy? Didn't you hear what Morris said?

Lucy: What did he say?

Tina: Oh, the thing Morris just said about Della and our Lucas's marriage...

Lucy: Oh!! Marriage... So you want to marry Della to Lucas... Ha... Ha...

Morris: Hey!! Why are you laughing... thinking that Dela will come to us if they get married? Yes, laugh, it's a happy occasion.

Lucy: No... no... I'm actually laughing, thinking that you're already thinking about marriage. Hey! They've only just finished high school; there's so much more for them to see and learn. And you're already busy thinking about their marriage. Lucy attempted to skillfully steer the conversation away from the subject. But would a cunning woman like Tina give up so easily? The persistent Tina began to speak...

Tina: Lucy, have you forgotten everything?

Lucy: What have I forgotten?

Morris, who had been silent until now, also joined the conversation.

Morris: Lucy, I understand that you are very busy all day fulfilling life's necessities, but don't say that you have forgotten your promises!

Lucy pretended to be unaware.

Lucy: What promise are you actually talking about? Did I make any such promise to you that I would forget because of my busy schedule? Hmm!

Tina: Lucy!! Tina looked somewhat agitated now. Morris gestured to Tina to be quiet. Then he started speaking for himself.

Morris: Lucy, have you really forgotten everything, or are you pretending not to remember?

Lucy: What do you actually want to say? Why have you called me here? I don't want to waste my time listening to all this.

Tina: You call this wasting time? Oh!! I understand, now that your troubles are over, all this conversation seems like a waste of time to you, right? And when you come to us crying and asking for help! That day, we stood by you without wasting our time. Have you forgotten everything, Lucy?

Lucy now looked quite emotionally hurt. Her eyes welled up with tears. Lucy lowered her head and covered her forehead with her hand. So Tina couldn't quite understand Lucy's expression.

Morris: Ah!! Tina, stop. Don't babble. It wasn't right for you to talk to Lucy like this.

Tina: Then was it right for Lucy to talk to me like this? It seems she has forgotten everything about the past. Has she forgotten how we stood by her in her time of trouble? In return, we only wanted Dela as our daughter-in-law. I wanted that. Was that asking for too much?

Morris: Oh!! You stop now.

Tina: Lucy, you have to tell me today why you are doing this. You need to tell Della everything right now. Della has grown up now. She should know all this.

Tina, panting, started speaking again.

Tina: How could you do this to us? You know everything, yet how could you do this?

This time, Lucy removed her hand from her forehead and composed herself a little. Then she got up from the chair and stood straight. She took her bag and slung it over her shoulder. It seemed like she was preparing to leave without saying another word. Seeing this, Tina loudly called out two names...

Tina: Lucas... Billy...