Chapter 99 Ariana's Past

• Her eyes welled up with tears. "I can't keep asking for their help forever because I know their lives aren't that rich to fulfill all my needs. And they're also financing my father's medical treatment and hiring a nurse because they don't want me to struggle. And all of that surely isn't cheap. So, to meet my needs, I chose to earn money myself. I worked." Gerald was surprised. He glanced at his wife, who still hadn't looked his way. "I met an unfortunate boy who worked as a street performer at traffic lights," Ariana smiled. "If you think I became a street performer too, you're wrong; I'm not that good at singing." She chuckled. "I sold newspapers," she continued.
• "Alongside him, I learned about the world of the streets. I understood how difficult it was for people out there to find food. Even though some of them were just pretending. But I knew some of their stories were real. He also taught me that, regardless of my situation, I should always be grateful because there were many people out there suffering more than I was. Luckily, I was only abandoned. Because out there, many parents sell their own children for profit. Luckily, I still have siblings who love me. Because out there, many people live alone without purpose. And lucky me, I can go to school because out there, there are many ignorant and desperate people. And yes, I am luckier than them. But even so, I can't stop hating. My anger always erupts whenever people pity my situation and my father's. Especially when they know my mother's current situation and openly criticize her. I'm ashamed. But I have to accept that reality.
• Then one day, my friend and I met an angel." Ariana's smile blossomed spontaneously. "She found me and my friend one day. She was a new neighbor in our area. A widow whose husband had left her because she couldn't give him children." Ariana turned to Gerald. "She's Mommy Hestia," she replied.