Lorie stared at her mother, stunned into silence. The calm, almost affectionate look on Patricia's face didn't match the woman who used to curse Anne without hesitation. This woman felt like a stranger.
"Mom," she whispered, tugging at Patricia's sleeve, "have you really changed your mind about Anne?"
Patricia nodded with certainty. "Yes. And you should too."
She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "She is not the same helpless Anne we used to push around. She is married to a billionaire now. She is connected to power, wealth, and influence. We need to treat her carefully, respectfully. She can open doors for us. After all, this family raised her. She owes us so much."
She pointed toward a nearby shelf. "Hand me the dry fruits."
Still in disbelief, Lorie grabbed the container absentmindedly and passed it to her, her mind spinning. Her mother, the woman who once wanted Anne erased from their lives, was now talking about her like she was their golden ticket.
