Chapter 2: How Can One Be So Heartless?

A gray Mercedes Benz car is seen entering the gate of a glamorous manor. The four wheels wadded exquisitely on the polished foundation like the process of cotton candy. The fabulous fad of necessities of buds adorned the extravagant compound, as the car went in circles around the cupid statue fountain at the center of the residence.

Not long after, the car was parked, the door to the back seat stretched out widely, and a pair of chubby feet landed on the ground.

"Don't get out in a rush" The edgy tone of a mother resonated in the residence. A pair of emerald eyes sparkled in awe at the sight of the imposing varieties of cars.

"Mama, their cars"

An older version of the chubby girl exited the car to give a hand with the pieces of luggage inside the boot. The lady was fairy-skinned like her daughter, but unlike the little girl, she had a pair of brown eyes. She wore a printed top and a high-waist kilt, with a trench coat, a perfect combination of a model who just arrived overseas. Her chestnut hair cascaded down to her midriff, like the waves in the sea.

"Mianmian, come help Mama with this" Chun Hua cried out in despair. The luggage was more than four, and while the driver carried two of them to the house, she had wished to help but it eventually turned heavy for her. She suddenly wondered why she called her daughter to help when she couldn't do it. So silly of her.

But Mo Mian ran worriedly towards her mother "Yesh Mama"

Chun Hua palm-faced herself as she felt both foolish, flustered, and embarrassed. Looking at the grievance on her daughter's face, she smiled "Mama is better...you should follow that uncle to the house"

Mianmian blinked her lashes with a pout "Bhut mianmian wants to help" her expression dropped languidly.

At that moment, the mother and daughter became oblivious to their surrounding. They didn't know that the members of the family were outside the house witnessing their profound drama.

"She is back" Chun Feng, the man of the house muttered with mixed emotions. He had long disowned that daughter of his after the humiliation she put them through, but looking at her now, he felt bemused.

"Make sure she doesn't enter this home...I never want to see even her shadow" Mrs. Chun spoke angrily and entered the house back.

The incident of that day had pierced Mrs. Chun's heart. For a bride to leave her wedding and absconded with another man. Not just any stranger, but her fiance's cousin.

Meanwhile, Chun Hua and her daughter were having a little conflict, until the driver came around to pick up the leftover luggage.

"Baby, when you see grandpa and grandma...smile brightly ok," Chun Hua told the little girl for the umpteenth time. She knew using her daughter to reconcile with her parents was too far and immature but she likewise, knew they might send her out after that day. Forcing a smile on her pretty face, Chun Hua held her daughter's hand and ambled into the house.

....

"Grandfather. He-he-he" Mianmian ran straight to the middle-aged man, whose back was turned to them. He refused to be bought like this.

"Mianmian lo-loves grandfather" She added adorably, that the maids and butler couldn't take their eyes off her cute countenance. Behind her, Chun Hua scoured around looking for someone. Disappointed, she bit her lip feeling extremely bitter. But she tried to be happy for her daughter, who had finally won her father's heart.

She always had a quick idea that would work. Mianmian was a cheerful girl, who everyone wants to love. She was too bright and optimistic.

"Look at my adorable granddaughter" Chun Feng smiled, ignoring the other person waiting for a welcome. Chun Hua expected the aloofness of her father, but it still hurt. There were no days she didn't miss her parents and return to finally have them kiss and pamper her like they used to. However, she had zero regrets, whatsoever, for leaving the wedding.

A few minutes later, the person Chun Hua has been wanting to see, finally came out. Tears shrouded her eyes in a mist as she became fervent. She was floundering to swallow down her still-beating heart. Her heart was yearning to embrace that person. Without the person, she couldn't cope excellently.

"M-mother" She called out meekly "I missed you"

Mr. Chun diverted his gaze from the girl on his lap to his beloved daughter. Catching her in tears, tore his heart. Looking at the indifference of his wife to their daughter, broke him even more. Those two never left their sides and now, they couldn't even stare into each other's eyes.

Chun Hua sighed heavily, lets her head drop to the floor, and muttered "I am sorry...look at me, Mother"

Mrs. Chun turned her head to her husband to say "When you are done with your visitor, tell them to leave my house!!" her words were filled with hate and anger.

Chun Hua started whimpering "Mother, don't say things like that...you are indirectly hurting me... Mother please"

Mrs. Chun added again with a passive expression "Tell them that we severed all ties long ago and shouldn't even try to pretend nothing happened. Tell them that they are not welcome here and should take back their luggage and leave"

"Wife!!" Mr. Chun was surprised by his wife's crude words.

"Mother" Chun Hua ran desperately to her side but when she tried to embrace the woman, she was slapped in the face.

Mr. Chun quickly called for the head maid to take Mianmian to the room. It wouldn't be right for the little girl to witness.

After he was sure she left, Mr. Chun stopped his wife.

"Darling, she is only back after a tiring flight...at least let her take a rest" He tried to convince but the woman glared back at him.

"You know I hate strangers in our home"

"Mother, don't call me a stranger...here" Chun Hua grab the woman's hand to slap herself repeatedly "Yes! I am bad, I disappointed you, and I am an unworthy daughter but please never call me a stranger because that's far worse than being hit...I ask for your forgiveness"

"Hua" Mr. Chun called her name affectionately, but the latter's eyes were on her mother.

"I am very sorry...I promise to never do that again...I will do anything you want but please never push me away... It'll shatter me"

Mrs. Chun's face held no expression while listening to her daughter's pleas. A scoff escaped her lips "Shatter you!! Did you see his expression when you left? I had never seen him like that...no tears, and smile... Nothing at all... But he waited, thinking you'd be back. I couldn't look my best friend in the eyes after what you did to her son. When no one believed you, he did. He thought you had a reason... a reason to suddenly leave your life behind. How could you act so irresponsibly? You even brought your child to my house huh?"

Chun Hua turned speechless as she cried a river of tears, her heart hammering against her chest, and her eyes red. She found it hard to speak while her mother was being like this.

"Hua, have you ever wondered what goes on in someone's mind when they desperately and irrationally wait for someone that will never return? Hope!!. He had hoped you'd return for the abundant love you both shared for one another but what did you do? What went wrong? Why did you desert him? I feel I made a great mistake by birthing you...I thought I had raised my daughter not to become so heartless and inhuman. I wanted to believe you as well, but his look on that day..."

"That's enough... Hua, you should go up to your room" The man declared "You have said enough!!"

Back inside Chun Hua's room. A helpless maid was trying to calm the girl in a panic attack.

"Mama?"