Take My Breath Away

As Debbie thought about it, she added in the group chat, "Guys, Carlos' family doesn't like me."

For a moment, no one said anything. It was Dixon who first chipped in, "It doesn't matter as long as Mr. Huo likes you."

Later, Kristina cut in, "You never know how complicated life in rich families can be. Before you left, I had thought to caution you, but I downplayed it. Ignore the others. Just as Doctor said, all that matters is that Mr. Huo loves you."

"Tomboy, since when do you care about other people's opinions? This isn't you," frankly wrote Jared, alongside an eye-rolling face emoji.

Debbie's eyes turned teary as she read through her friends' comforting words. In such trying moments, it was enough that her friends were always there for her.

There was a knock on the door. Debbie calmed herself down and opened the door, only to meet Megan, with her usual pesky attitude.

Without waiting for Debbie's permission, she walked in uninvited and locked the door from inside.

'She acts as if she was the hostess of the Huo family, ' Debbie sneered. "What do you want?" she asked indifferently.

Megan stared at her curtly. "If I were you, I would leave the Huo family this instant."

The ridiculous way she sounded made Debbie chuckle. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Since there were only the two of them in the room, Megan took off her masquerade and snorted, "Don't you see? You have turned the family into a war zone. Uncle Carlos' dad got so angry he almost passed out. It's New Year's Eve today and everyone is having a crappy mood, just because of you. Don't you feel bad for what you've done?"

"Why should I feel guilty when I did nothing wrong? Carlos' dad almost passed out because he has a bad temper. Do you think I don't know that?" Debbie retorted. She wondered why James hated her so much.

"Did you just say Uncle Carlos' dad had a bad temper? I can't believe you've been talking about people behind their back, and you don't think it's rude? No wonder nobody likes you. I don't understand why Uncle Carlos is defending you all the time."

Debbie was having a meltdown. "When did I talk about people behind their back? Stop making things up! Is this what you're here about? Are you done? Now get out!

s been crying from the time she walked out of Carlos' room. But when I tried to find out from her what the matter was, she wouldn't say a thing."

When the little brat finally stopped weeping, she said to Tabitha, between sobs, "I saw that James seemed angry to see Aunt Debbie, so I went there to comfort her. But Aunt Debbie didn't appreciate it at all. And she even called me names. Boo...hoo..."

"Debbie called you names?" Incredulous, Tabitha looked at the door to Carlos' room and asked, "Why?"

"I don't know. Maybe she was in a bad mood. But how could she take it out on me? It wasn't my fault. To make it worse, she even had the nerve to tell me that James was cranky and I shouldn't be here, because I am nobody to the family; I'm just a freeloader. Can you imagine? She boasts that she'll only be nice to me if I call Uncle Carlos 'Dad' and call her 'Mom.' Boo...hoo..." Tears welled in her eyes once again.

Just to create a scene, she started panting for breath; her face so downcast, you'd think she was going to pass out any minute. Even Tabitha who had been skeptical at first was moved. 'Could she be telling the truth?' But then it didn't seem possible that Debbie would stoop so low.

Just then, the door to another room opened and Miranda walked out.

Casting a cold glance at Megan, she demanded, "What are you doing here? Don't you need sleep?"

Tabitha smiled, "Miranda, Megan and Debbie had a squabble. We're trying to sort the issue out, before she goes to bed."