There were only a few luxury jewelry stores in town, and I honestly didn’t expect to run into Claudia there. She was sitting on the sofa, listening to the manager introduce jewelry. When she saw me, she stood up in surprise.
“You silly child, did you miss your mother? Were you afraid I wouldn’t come to pick you up, so you came to check for yourself?”
A dull ache formed in my head. When did she start talking to herself like this? Had she even seen a doctor?
It was better not to deal with someone acting like that, so I tried to walk past her and head to the counter to pick up my order.
But she stopped me.
“Freya, I have to say, when you come to such a nice place, at least pay attention to what you wear. Why didn’t you put on the outfit I brought this morning? Coming here dressed like this is really embarrassing; it makes you look so plain.”
I was furious; she had just insulted how I was raised. It was the first time anyone had ever questioned my manners.
I lowered my voice, calm and cold. “What I wear is my choice. My family doesn’t control me; what gives you the right to? Please move aside, I’m here to get my jewelry.”