From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Anthea couldn’t hold a candle to her daughters.

Before Anthea could respond, Elaine looked up and saying, “Anthea, right? Don’t worry about your grades not being stellar. Your cousins, Sallie and Stella, might not have been top students, but they should be able to help you out. Feel free to ask them if you have any questions.”

Susan was quick to butter up Elaine, “Oh, come on! If Sallie and Stella were average, where does that leave my Phoebe?”

The ones Susan envied the most were Elaine and Carole.

Carole was prettier than her, and Elaine had landed a better husband and birthed two daughters who were the pride of the family.

But despite her envy, Susan never let it show. After all, Elaine came from a much more prestigious background. Hancock was a renowned doctor in Cloudcrest, rubbing elbows with the elite.

So Susan’s favorite pastime was to lavish praise on Elaine, keeping her envy to herself. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Susan’s words hit the mark, “You know, Sallie and Stella have never given me any trouble growing up.”

Just then, there was a commotion at the door.

A young woman, dressed sharply in a business suit, and sporting long cascading curls, strutted in. While her features weren’t show–stopping, they were well–defined, and she exuded an aura

of confidence.

This was Elaine’s pride and joy, her eldest daughter, Sallie.

Sallie, at 25, was a promising attorney.

“Oh my! Tired from work, sweetheart? You must be exhausted and look thinner,” Felton and Gemma exclaimed as they went to greet her, beaming with affection.

Especially Gemma, she clung to Sallie’s hand with endearments.

The warmth she showed was a stark contrast to her dismissive attitude towards Anthea just moments before.

Sallie, however, was devoid of any smile, even showing signs of impatience. She didn’t have much fondness for her mother’s family, grandparents included.

To her, these pretentious poor relations were only after their wealth.

Would they have fawned over Sallie this way if she were just poor?

Sallie greeted her grandparents with a curt nod.

*Sallie, come over here. This is your Aunt Carole’s daughter, Anthea,” Elaine said. “Anthea, this is your cousin Sallie, She’s working at a law firm. If you ever need help with your studies, she’s the one to ask.”

“Hey, Sallie, Anthea said in a flat tone.

Sallie glanced at Anthea, her previously impatient eyes suddenly lit with astonishment.

Anthea was stunning. Her beauty immediately conjured images of classical beauty.

But what good was beauty?

Carole was gorgeous, and yet she ended up as a mistress and had an illegitimate child!

Sallie didn’t see anything promising in Anthea. At best, she’d follow in Carole’s footsteps, using her beauty to become a mistress and perhaps also end up with an illegitimate child of her own.

Sallie, who prided herself on her integrity, didn’t want to mix with this crowd. If it weren’t for Elaine’s birthday, she wouldn’t have come back at all!

She gave Anthea a cursory nod and then turned to Elaine, “Mom. I’m a bit tired. I’m going to head up to my room to rest.”