From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea )

Paulina's face was slapped to the side, and disbelief etched across her features as she looked at Wilma. “Wilma, what’s wrong with you?” she asked.

"Harlot! Witch!" Wilma seethed. "You don’t deserve to be part of the Black family! Tammie must have been blind to fall for a witch like you!"

"Wilma, what's going on?" Paulina clutched her face, her whole body shaking.

She knew Wilma had never thought highly of her, but Wilma had never resorted to violence against her before.

Luna smoothed Wilma's back and stepped forward, her voice soft and soothing. "Paulina, you can't blame Aunt Wilma for being so upset. Do you know who Ms. Yeager is?"

"What do you mean?" Paulina was perplexed.

"Ms. Yeager was once Anthea Morris, and you should know about Anthea Morris' reputation," Luna continued. "Tammie's illness has stumped doctors here and abroad. Ms. Yeager is only eighteen. Can she cure Tammie? Plus, I've heard that Ms. Yeager can barely recognize the alphabet."

Paulina retorted, "Wilma, Luna, it’s not like that. You've got Ms. Yeager all wrong! She's a talented individual. Here’s the prescription she wrote for Tammie. Does it look like the handwriting of someone who can barely read?"

The prescription was beautifully written, displaying elegance and full of character.

Luna narrowed her eyes. The ingredients listed on the prescription had no vermifuge effects, only minor benefits for nourishing the body and replenishing energy.

It seemed like a false alarm.

She had thought Anthea was capable of something significant.

Wilma tore up the prescription Paulina handed her and pointed at her. "I won't let you feed my son such nonsense! I want you out of the Black family immediately!"

Paulina was trembling. "Wilma, you're cutting off Tammie's only chance at life!"

"Slut, shut your mouth!" Wilma slapped her again. "You think I don't know about your dirty schemes with Willard? You want to kill Tammie to take over the Black family! Let me tell you. As long as I'm here, it will never happen! You'll never succeed!"

"I didn't..." Paulina's face was wet with tears. "I want Tammie to get better more than anything. If I could, I'd give my life for his."

She wasn't lying. She and Tammie had been married for years, their relationship as close as ever.

Luna stood aside. "Paulina, I understand how you feel. And there's a saying, 'Desperate times call for desperate measures,' but Ms. Yeager's reputation precedes her. How can you expect us to trust her?"

"Get out! Leave now!" Wilma pointed toward the door.

"Cough, cough, cough!" At that moment, Tammie, lying in bed, suddenly awoke, sitting up and coughing up a mouthful of blood, staining the white sheets crimson.

"Tammie!"

"Tammie!"

Wilma and Paulina rushed to him.

"Paulina..." Tammie grabbed her hand weakly. "I'm so sorry. I couldn't protect you..."

Paulina shook her head, tears streaming. "I'm fine. It's okay..." Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

As she spoke, Tammie turned to Wilma. "Mom, please don't be hard on Paulina. It hurts me to see you like this..."

Wilma cleaned her tears, saying, "Silly boy, this woman wants you dead! How can you still defend her?"

Tammie spoke with difficulty, "Mom, you've got Paulina wrong. She's not that kind of woman. There's no need to fall out over what will happen to me, Mom. I hope you will treat Paulina as your daughter when I'm gone."

"You're not going to die, my silly boy. You won't die!" Wilma cried out loud.

Tammie continued, "I know my health, and I can't escape death. Please let me try Ms. Yeager's remedy. Otherwise, I can’t rest in peace..."