Second Chance: Marrying into Wealth Chapter 148

After getting out of the car, I went to the trunk to grab the stuff I had prepared.

Seeing that I had brought quite a lot, Una stepped forward to help me carry some of it. 

As she picked up a few items, she couldn't help but say, "Melinda, you're really something. Even though you haven't had time to come by lately, I heard you still donate to the nursing home every month without fail. And every time you visit, you bring so many good things."

I shrugged it off and kept unloading the items. "I just want to help make things better for the elderly here as much as I can."

Una paused for a moment, then replied, "You've got a big heart. These folks aren't even related to you, yet you're so willing to give."

I hadn't been looking at Una, but her words made me glance at her.

I didn't quite get what she meant. After all, she was a volunteer too. I knew her situation; she usually came to tidy up, take care of the elderly, or just chat with them.

She seemed to have said it casually and continued carrying the items, changing the subject. "You haven't been here for a while, so you might not know. The post you saw that brought you here as a volunteer has been seen by more and more people. We've got quite a few new volunteers this time. Once we're done, I'll introduce you to everyone."

"Great!" Having more people join was a good thing for the elderly here.

Many volunteers came and went, and some only came once or twice on a whim and then never returned.

The strange feeling Una's words had given me faded away. After what happened with Lawrence, I had learned to move on quickly and not dwell on things that made me uncomfortable. 

As we carried the items inside, I asked her about the health of a few of the elderly residents. "How are Raina and the others doing lately?"

"They're all doing well. Some of them miss you. A couple of them have a bit of a cough because of the cold weather, but everyone else is in good health," Una said, indicating she had been spending a lot of time here, which reassured me.

I handed the items to the director, cleaned up a bit, and then had some time to chat with a few of the elderly residents.

"Melinda, you're finally here! I've missed you so much," Raina said warmly, pulling me to sit beside her.

She was the only one out in the yard soaking up the sun; the others I was close to would come out later.

Raina's hand, due to her age, was a bit withered like tree bark, but when she held mine, it felt warm, spreading warmth through my whole body.

Raina's warmth touched me. I hugged her lightly and smiled. "Ms. Scott, I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit. I've been so busy. I missed you all too. How have you been?"

Despite her age, she looked healthy and rosy. Raina chuckled. "I'm doing great! But you look a bit thinner. I remember you had your baby around this time, right? Have you been losing weight taking care of the baby?"

My heart tightened. I had been so busy lately that I hadn't had much time to think about the baby. Even when I did, it was usually late at night when I was alone. But now, being reminded of it, my heart ached.

It was a wound, and it hurt more every time it was reopened. But I knew Raina didn't know. If I explained, she'd worry and feel bad for me, which I didn't want. So, I swallowed my bitterness and lied, "The baby is fine. It's just been a bit tiring taking care of him, but I'm doing well now."

No sooner had I finished speaking than a sharp, mocking voice cut in, "Don't believe her. She's a liar. Her baby was born a deformed monster with no hands or feet and died right after birth. It's probably bad karma catching up with her. You should stay away from people like her; it's bad luck."

It was Ophelia. I turned to meet her challenging gaze.

I didn't know if it was because of the incident with Christopher or the Quantum Dynamics Corporation acquisition, but she seemed to have a grudge against me and kept showing up everywhere.

Her words made me furious. She shouldn't underestimate a mother's love for her child and use it to provoke me.

I glared at Ophelia, even stepping forward to confront her.

Even if Raina and the others distanced themselves from me because of this, I could explain and apologize later. Right now, I just wanted to deal with Ophelia.

Ophelia looked different from the morning of the car accident. She was now in a simple T-shirt, jacket, canvas shoes, and pants, without her usual makeup. She looked plain, but her inner self was just as detestable.

"Melinda..." Suddenly, Raina's trembling hand gripped mine tightly, her voice filled with sadness and apology. "Melinda, I'm sorry. I didn't know..."

She didn't distance herself from me; she felt sorry for me.

My heart felt both heavy and warm—heavy because of my child who never got to see this world, and warm because someone genuinely cared about me.

I said, "Ms. Scott, it's not your fault. I kept it from you."

Raina gently patted my hand, comforting me. "Melinda, maybe it just wasn't meant to be. It's okay. You're so kind and young. You'll have children in the future."

Ophelia laughed lightly. "Ma'am, you're wrong. She can't have children on her own. Her husband divorced her."

Her words were like a knife, cutting deep. I stood up, ready to confront her, even tightening my fists, planning to slap her.

Raina seemed to sense my anger and held onto my hand. "Melinda, when did you get divorced?"

I opened my mouth but didn't know where to start.

She didn't seem to need an answer, continuing on her own. "Melinda, you're so good, beautiful, kind, and with great character. If he wants a divorce, it's his loss. You'll find someone better."

It turned out not everyone thought my divorce was my fault.

Ophelia, however, didn't know when to stop. "Ma'am, haven't you seen the news about Melinda and her ex-husband?"

I shot her a sharp look, ready to calm Raina. "Ms. Scott, wait for me."

I planned to drag Ophelia somewhere private to teach her a lesson. But Raina held onto me tightly.