My Mirror Image

Chapter 91

Candice’s direct questioning caused Yvonne to tense up. She awkwardly fidgeted with Peach’s clothes.

Observing this, Candice asked with a stern expression, “Has he been abusing you and Peach?”

She noticed not only the marks on Yvonne’s face but also the faint bruises on Peach’s neck, partially

concealed by her Cotlar.

Initially hesitant, Yvonne, encouraged by Peach’s expectant gaze, confessed through tears, “It’s not

always like this. He just had too much to drink the other day and ended up bumping into me.”

Candice, frowning deeply, probed further, “Did he coerce you into giving him the money, or did you

willingly

give it to him?”

Yvonne, visibly struggling, finally murmured, “Peach is so young.”

Candice silently regarded her.

Yvonne’s once upright posture now sagged, her hands on the table quivering as though weighed down

by

immense pain.

Sensing her mother’s distress, Peach started to weep. Yvonne quickly dried her tears and soothed her.

After calming Peach, Yvonne cast a glance at Candice, then looked away.

Candice, carefully watching her mother’s expressions, was piecing together the truth. She was about to

confront Yvonne further when her phone rang, interrupting her speech.

Yvonne’s phone, a model from an unknown brand, had a screen with several cracks.

The moment the call connected, an angry man’s voice bellowed out, “Where the fuck have you been?

I’m starving to death here. Are you out there squandering money on that money pit again?”

Due to the phone’s poor sound isolation, his loud and clear voice was fully audible to Candice, who

heard

every word.

Yvonne was embarrassed. She whispered as she hastily covered the phone, “Ivor, Peach is your child

too!”

Ivor Dawson, on the other end, grew more furious. “I don’t acknowledge such a worthless daughter!

Come back soon, or you’ll make me late for work this afternoon!”

Yvonne’s complexion changed, and she asked, “You’re gambling again? Peach needs her shots next

week!”

But Ivor had already disconnected the call.

Visibly upset, she buried her face in Peach’s neck. Her shoulders were shaking.

Blinked, Peach asked innocently, “Mommy, is it okay if I don’t get the shot?”

Yvonne, momentarily taken aback, regained her composure and softly instructed Peach to play near

the

flowerbed.

+15 BONOS

As Peach obediently walked away, Yvonne’s eyes followed her every move.

Candice watched the entire scene unfold.

Eventually, Yvonne’s gaze returned to Candice, her eyes reflecting a turmoil of emotions and she

settled into a resigned, bitter smile.

“Do you think I’m lying to you all?”

Candice remained silent.

Yvonne went on, “He wasn’t always like this. He was kind to me and Peach once, but everything

changed

when Peach fell ill…”

Struggling to speak further, she wiped away her tears and explained, “He lost his job, then got into

gambling. If I don’t give him the money, they’ll kill him.”

“You’re allowing him to use Peach’s treatment funds?” Candice inquired, her voice steady and her

expression

devoid of emotion.

Yvonne ceased speaking and lapsed into silence.

She rubbed her hands anxiously, then hesitantly met Candice’s gaze. “I know I shouldn’t, but could you

spare an additional 5,000 dollars for Peach’s treatment next week?”

As she spoke, she raised her hand, emphasizing, “I assure you, this is a loan from you, and I will repay

it.”

Seemingly worried Candice might doubt her, Yvonne offered, “I can even write an IOU for you.”

Candice sat immobile, as if she did not know her mother.

She remembered her mother as a gentle, beautiful, and resilient woman. However, the woman in front

of her appeared weary, emitting an air of desperate resignation and scheming.

Yvonne looked at Candice as though she were her last hope, her voice shaky. “Peach is also your

sister, isn’t

she?”

Candice felt a choking sensation, as if her nerves had been severed.

“Lex, sorry to have you come all this way.”

A man’s soothing voice and footsteps came from behind.

Startled, Candice was about to turn around, but Alex’s detached voice came through. “I was just

passing by.”

As she turned, Candice saw Alex and another man walking toward her.

Alex, noticing Candice, came to a halt, his brow furrowed, and his eyes turned to Yvonne behind her.

Feeling utterly exposed, Candice clenched her hand as Yvonne pressed on, “Candy, with your well–

paying job, five thousand isn’t a significant amount, right? You wouldn’t let your sister be without her

medicine, would

you?”

Words stuck in Candice’s throat as she overheard Alex let out a light scoff.

213:

+15 BONOS

Candice’s hand tightened, her fingernails digging into her palm. She heard herself say, “I can give you

the

money.”

Yvonne let out a relieved sigh, but before she could say more, Candice continued, “However, if this

money goes to him again, I’ll call the cops.”

Their conversation, initially meant for privacy in a quiet corner of the garden, now echoed clearly in the

confined space.

Feeling Alex’s steady gaze on her, Candice took a deep breath and stood up, bag in hand.

Yvonne also rose, her voice soft as she asked, “When will you send the money?”

Feeling a heaviness in her head and a tightness in her chest, Candice stepped back to regain her

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before impulsively transferring the money to Yvonne.

From behind, the man who had been with Alex earlier called out, “Lex? How about we grab lunch

together?”

Alex hummed affirmatively and headed toward his friend.

Meanwhile, Peach, playing near the flowerbed, was terrified when she spotted Alex’s expression. She

instinctively stepped back without seeing the flower pot behind her, resulting in a collision.

Everyone in attendance was shocked by the loudness.

Yvonne was the quickest to react, rushing past Candice to reach Peach.

Candice, pushed aside, stumbled a few steps before stabilizing herself.

Soon, Peach’s delayed cries filled the air, and Yvonne tenderly embraced her, whispering soothing

words.

Candice watched them, somewhat dazed.

It occurred to her that Yvonne had not lost her gentleness; she had simply reserved it exclusively for

Peach.

Feeling like there was a knot in her chest, making it hard to breathe, Candice quietly observed for a

moment before deciding to leave.

However, just as she was about to walk away, a teasing voice came from behind, “Lex, playing the

monster today, aren’t you? Scaring everyone?”