Myra had waited for Felicia to apologize, hoping for a reconciliation. Even taking Kayla back, besides the heartache, was partly intended to annoy Felicia. Myra wanted Felicia to know that even if she refused to acknowledge her as her mother, someone always would. She also wanted Felicia to understand she had more than one daughter.

Three months passed, and Felicia showed no signs of the misery Myra anticipated. Felicia dressed better than before and even enjoyed leisure activities like hiking, leaving Myra feeling defeated. It seemed Felicia didn't care about losing her status as heir to the Fuller family.

Myra's emotions were complex. As she prepared to speak, Kayla whispered, "Why is Felicia hanging out with someone like Carmen? People at school say Carmen does... that kind of work..." Myra's expression hardened. This was unacceptable.

"You're associating with such disreputable people after being away from home for so long?" Myra glared, her disappointment evident. "You're embarrassing me!"

Felicia almost laughed. "Mrs. Fuller, from what position are you lecturing me? Have you forgotten the slap and the words you spoke that day?"

Myra, wearing a hurt expression, sighed. "But I'm your mother. It was just a slap. Must you hold a grudge forever?" Felicia's smile faded.

Myra had never acknowledged her own failings. The slap, seemingly insignificant, represented prejudice, misplaced anger, and a lack of love.

Felicia looked at Myra and spoke clearly. "Why shouldn't I hold a grudge? Why shouldn't I resist? Why can't I hate you? Why can Kayla kill someone and still be forgiven, but I can't expose her crimes and be forgiven?"

Each "why" pierced Myra's heart. "Mrs. Fuller, you've never been a worthy mother to me."

The wind stirred, the wooden plaques on an ancient tree clinking. Myra recoiled. Felicia's calm words struck her like thunder. A profound emptiness seemed to open in her chest.

She wanted to respond but couldn't. Could she truly be such a terrible mother in her daughter's eyes? Deeply shaken, tears welled. "But we're mother and daughter... You were the flesh of my body, born after ten months of pregnancy. How can you say such things? I searched for you day and night, yet you say I'm not a worthy mother... How can you say such heart-wrenching words?" She pointed, her hand trembling.

She saw only coldness in Felicia's eyes, unable to perceive the hurt beneath. She knew Felicia hated her, but couldn't understand why.