Chapter 23 Being Looked Down Upon by Relatives
Maggie thought back to the dream she had last night and said, "I don't know why, but some things just came to mind."
"Maggie, have you been too tired lately, is that why you're getting these wild ideas?" Arya expressed her concern, "Don't dwell on it. It's all in the past. How are things with your husband?"
Arya deliberately changed the subject to avoid further questioning by Maggie.
"They're good," Maggie replied as she sat down. "He's very busy with work, leaves early and comes back late. Oh, a distant relative of his came by today, said she was an aunt, very polite, insisted on giving me a ring. I didn't accept it. It was too valuable."
"Your husband's parents passed away early, but these relatives seem pretty nice." Arya said, "Maggie, I think this husband of yours is a good man. You need to live well. Love can be cultivated over time."
"Mom, I understand," Maggie didn’t want Arya to worry and asked, "Mom, what's for lunch today?"
"We're going to your aunt's house at noon; she sprained her ankle yesterday, and we should visit," Arya said.
Maggie was reluctant, "Mom, that aunt always acts so superior. She didn't visit once when you were sick in the hospital, why bother going?"
Arya had two older sisters and a younger brother.
As the youngest daughter of the family, Arya was both beautiful and excelled at her studies. The family doted on her, believing she was bound to marry well and perhaps even elevate their status.
However, to everyone’s surprise, Arya suddenly got pregnant before marriage. The family felt disgraced, but Arya insisted on having the child, and consequently, she severed ties with them.
After the death of Maggie's grandparents, Arya was filled with regret. She made an effort to reconnect with her siblings, hoping to mend relationships.
In a heartfelt tone, Arya said, "Maggie, we're all family, let's not hold grudges. The bond of family, even with broken bones, stays connected. Get ready and come with me."
Maggie was incredibly reluctant to visit her aunt's house, worried that Arya might feel slighted, but she had no choice but to accompany her.
After more than half an hour, Maggie drove to another district in the capital, entering a somewhat upscale neighborhood.
As they parked the car in the parking lot and Maggie got out with Arya, they happened to bump into someone they knew.
"Aunt, Maggie, what brings you here?"
Maggie turned around to see it was her older female cousin, Isabella Adams, standing next to a BMW.
Isabella was thirty-two this year, married to a doctor who had recently been promoted to the head of a department. She herself was a full-time housewife. Eight years of marriage, and she hadn’t been able to conceive despite trying various home remedies.
Dressed immaculately with a designer LV bag worth thousands, Isabella looked at Maggie and Arya with an air of indifference.
Arya, smiling, said, "Isabella, I heard your mom sprained her ankle, so we came to check on her."
"Oh." Isabella's attitude was equally cool and she didn’t invite them up; instead, she locked her car and headed toward the elevator alone.
Isabella always had this superior attitude, which irked Maggie, but Arya didn’t seem to mind and pulled Maggie along to follow.
Maggie’s aunt, Olivia Stark, had come into fortunes shortly after getting married when her in-laws' property was redeveloped, netting them three houses.
Owning three homes in the capital, it was no wonder her eyes seemed to be set high on her forehead.
Inside the house, Olivia’s reception was just as chilly toward Maggie and her daughter.
Arya presented the gifts she had bought, asking with a smile, "Sis, how's your foot? Is it any better?"
"It’s fine." Olivia didn’t accept the gifts, saying, "You’re only making a few thousand, why bother spending money on gifts? Take it back with you, and don’t buy anything next time."
The comment wasn't out of consideration but rather a dismissal of the gifts’ value.
Arya had picked these items at the supermarket, spending over one hundred dollars on them—a splurge she wouldn’t normally allow for herself.
Embarrassed, Arya insisted with a laugh, "Now that I’ve brought them, you might as well keep them."
Olivia reluctantly agreed to let Arya put her belongings down on the ground.
Maggie watched her mother acquiesce with a mixture of pain and anger.
Despite Maggie's repeated requests for Arya not to come, Arya had stubbornly insisted on visiting.
Just as Maggie was about to speak out, Arya gave her a look that silenced her.
Maggie could only hold back her feelings.
"Please, take a seat," Olivia gestured to Maggie and her daughter.
The family had always favored Arya, giving her the best food and clothes. Olivia, consumed with jealousy, now felt a surge of superiority seeing that her own circumstances were better than Arya's, which brought her considerable satisfaction.
Arya pulled Maggie down to sit, and Olivia asked with a smile, "Maggie, it's been a while since you've visited. A girl changes so much, you've grown more beautiful. But, you know, a woman's real success is in marrying well. Just look at your older cousin; she married well and lives such a comfortable life."
This was a clear dig at Arya, who was good-looking when she was younger but never met a good man and was deceived by one.
Arya's face showed her discomfort, and Maggie couldn't hold back anymore. With a feigned cheerful tone, she said, "Indeed, Isabella is very fortunate. I heard her husband got promoted to department head recently, right? By the way, they've been married for eight years now, haven't they? Why don't they have any children yet?"
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