Chapter 204

Valeria knew Margaret didn't have much money. Every month, she would carefully save whatever Valeria gave her. Judging by the bankbook she had seen earlier, there probably wasn't even 20 thousand dollars in it. Valeria had no idea how long Margaret had been saving, but there was nothing she could do. After all, Thomas was Margaret's only son. She asked, "Granny, my mom—why did she leave back then?" Ever since she was little, Valeria had often overheard the gossip of the old ladies in the village. They said her mother, Grace, left just a year after marrying Melvin Carlson and giving birth to her. The rumors flew, ever so vividly painted. Some said Grace had been unfaithful—that she'd run off with another man. Margaret, sitting on the couch knitting, froze for a moment when she heard this. She stayed silent for several seconds before finally saying, "Riri, don't hate your mother." Valeria lowered her gaze. "All these years, and I've never even seen her. Is she still alive?" Marg