Sandy walked into the living room, instantly annoyed at the sight of her mom,


    Ashley, crying like the world was ending. Honestly, did she have to fall apart every single time something happened? Sandy just couldn''t deal with it.


    Sean shot her a warning look. "Sandy, could you maybe not right now?"


    She sighed. "Sean,e on, it''s not like this is the first time with Mom and Dad. If we don''t deal with their mess, are we just supposed to pretend it''s all fine forever?" Her tone was sharp, unsympathetic. "Can you give us a minute alone? I need to talk to Mom."


    Sean hesitated, then leaned closer, voice low. "Sandy, Mom''s already upset. Go easy, okay?"


    He looked genuinely worried. Sandy had a reputation-when she got tough, nobody was safe, not even Dad or the people she loved.


    "Yeah, yeah, I hear you," Sandy muttered, already losing patience.


    Sean headed upstairs, casting ast nce back. Ashley was curled up on the couch, sniffling like her heart had just been broken.


    Sandy couldn''t help rolling her eyes. "Mom, crying like this isn''t going to bring Dad back. Seriously, there are plenty of men out there. If this doesn''t work out, the next one''s probably better."


    Ashley looked up, tears running down her face. "That''s easy for you to say. I''ve spent decades with your father. How do I just throw that away?"


    Sandy shrugged, giving a crooked half-smile. “I doubt Dad feels the same. You''ve got so much going for you-why waste time on a guy in his fifties? Honestly, if you wanted, you could find yourself a young, hot boyfriend. There''s plenty out there." Ashley lookedpletely scandalized. "Sandy! How can you say something like that? What''s gotten into you?"


    "I''m just telling you the truth. Sitting here crying about Dad isn''t helping anyone. You had all the cards, and now you''re just throwing them away. And honestly, going to Salma or Anastasia for help? That was your first mistake."


    Ashley''s voice shook with anger. "You little brat. You''re lecturing me now? I only went to them to help you to find a donor for you."


    Sandy let out a shortugh. "Mom, really? You think Anastasia would ever donate her bone marrow to me? You''re just making life harder for yourself. If I were you, I''d get a divorce and actually enjoy the rest of my life. You''ve been stuck on one guy for decades-doesn''t that get old?"


    Ashley stared at her, stunned, and reached out to touch her forehead. "Sandy, are you feeling okay? Why are you talking like this? Did something happen with Herman?"


    Sandy pulled her hand away. "Herman? He''s nothing. If he wasn''t useful, I wouldn''t have bothered with him. If Sean hadn''t stepped in, Herman would''ve ended up like Dad-stuck in bed after a stroke."


    Ashley went pale. She might not be quick, but even she got the meaning. "You... you''re saying your dad''s stroke was your fault?"


    Sandy smirked. "d to see you''re finally connecting the dots."


    Ashley shot to her feet, eyes wide with anger and disbelief. She pped Sandy, hard. "Sandy! Are you insane? That was you father How could you? Ever since you got better, you''ve been so cold-so heartless."


    The p echoed through the room. Sandy''s cheek turned red and swollen almost immediately.


    Upstairs, Sean had been listening by the stairs. Hearing themotion, he rushed down. “Mom, calm down, please!"


    Ashley was hysterical. "She''s lost her mind, Sean! She just admitted to hurting your dad! She''s not my daughter anymore."


    "I know, Mom, but please, you need to calm down," Sean tried to soothe her.


    "You know? You knew about this?" Ashley stared at her two kids, shocked. "Did you two do this together? For thepany?"


    Ashley''s imagination didn''t stretch far, but that was all she coulde up with.


    Before Sean could answer, Sandy rubbed her cheek and said coolly, "You''re never going to get it, Mom Here''s some advice: women who give everything for men never get a happy ending. If you live you whole.. life for love you''re just asking to get hurt."


    She nced at Sean. "You talk to her. I''m heading to work."


    With that, Sandy grabbed her bag and walked out, letting the door m behind her.


    Ashley was furious. "Sean, did you hear that? Your sister thinks she can lecture me now!"


    Sean shook his head. “She''s not crazy, Mom. We just never really understood her. She spent almost her whole life in hospitals. She''s not like everyone else."


    Suddenly, Ashley realized the sweet, obedient daughter she thought she knew had just been an act.


    She was just good at wearing a mask.


    But then, so was Alisa.


    Riverdale.


    Jason had Hank deliver some groceries and cash to the Browns, just to help out. But then he founde out Alisa had already paid back most of their debt. That didn''t make sense-there was no way she could do that with her sry.


    Curious, Jason stopped by I''s school, pretending to drop off some new art supplies. He called her out to the yground, hoping to get some answers. "So, I, what''s your mom been up totely?"


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!