"I..." Maria was dumbfounded. "Why wouldn't I care about how you feel? I'm telling you privately, am I not? And I'm telling the truth! You need to face reality! Do you want me to lie and tell you that you're not overweight? Or that you're too thin and should eat more? Is that what Lily's been telling you? Only family would be this honest, and sometimes honesty is hard to take. But we're doing this for your own good. Why would outsiders try to help you?"

Maria continued to persuade her niece. "Look at you. You've known her for a few days, and you're already saying hurtful things to your aunt. I think you should stay away from her. As your aunt, why would I want to hurt you?"

"I just said one thing, and you're already offended? Aunt Maria, your heart must be made of glass! All these years, you've been saying these things to me. Why didn't you consider how it would hurt me?" Anastasia questioned coldly.

She turned and said, "It's late, so I should go home, Aunt Maria. We're not having dinner tonight, and people like me shouldn't be eating. I can't let you suffer like that!"

"Tasia, why are you saying these things? Tasia, if your father hears about this..." Maria tried to threaten Anastasia, again using her father, the person she had feared most as a child.

Before Maria could finish, Anastasia turned and snapped, "Then you might as well repeat what you said to my dad. It's okay if you don't remember exactly. I'll record it."

Maria was speechless. Anastasia had effectively silenced her. Maria dared not repeat her words to Cameron. Those were comments only for Anastasia, a child, while Maria was the elder, the responsible aunt since her mother's early passing. But she knew Cameron's temper—direct, cold, and easily angered, yet he spoiled Anastasia. If he heard what Maria had said, she would be in serious trouble.

"Tasia, you know how I am. I've always been honest. I'm saying this for your own good," Maria changed her tone. "If you don't want the doctor to come, why don't I take you to see him instead?"

"There's no need for that." Anastasia left, the door closing with a thud.

Maria had no choice but to leave, disheartened and increasingly angry.

Fabian remained oblivious. When Maria arrived home, he sat at the kitchen counter, pouring wine and humming, a bag of peanuts beside him.

"You seem happy!" Maria snatched the glass from his hand and slammed it down, mirroring Anastasia's action. "Hey!"

Seeing spilled wine, Fabian frowned. "Why are you acting crazy?"

"Crazy?! Perhaps you should look at your precious niece!" Maria yelled, collapsing into the chair beside him.