Eleven Years All to the Wrong Man novel Chapter 164

Eric was young and didn't know how to respond to the comment, so Mrs. Hayes, as the matriarch, picked up the conversation. "Whether they're in love or not is their business. Let's eat, everyone! I spent a lot of time on this meal today, so you all have to do me a favor and clean your plates!"

"You got it! We were just waiting for you to say that!" another aunt, Maria, chimed in cheerfully.

Everyone resumed eating, but it was clear Aunt Rosa wasn't ready to let the topic go. Ignoring the plentiful meat dishes, she reached for a piece of green vegetable at the corner of the table. She poked at it on her plate without eating, then suddenly remarked:

"Sigh, they're both Hayes girls, but how did my Cindy's and Emma's fates turn out so differently?"

She had said something similar when she first arrived, but she had been smiling then, and it sounded like a joke, so no one had paid it much mind.

But this time, her tone was serious, and it was obviously no longer a joke. An awkwardness settled over the other Hayes family members at the table.

She seemed oblivious and continued, "Back in the day, our Cindy was a standout, not just among the Hayes kids, but in all of Riverside Millford. She was one of the prettiest girls around! Isn't that right, Evan?"

Out of nowhere, she pointed her fork at Evan, who was sitting next to Emma.

"I remember when you first came to town, Evan. Weren't you chasing after our Cindy for a while? But then I, her mother, had to play the villain and break you two up…"

Her words plunged the already awkward atmosphere into an icy silence.

Cindy Hayes could no longer stay quiet. She glanced quickly at Evan across the table and saw his cold expression. She looked away and tugged on her mother's arm, whispering, "Mom, please stop!"

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