The Day I Kissed An Older Man

Melinda comforted Sophia gently, “Please don’t dwell on it, Sophia. You don’t have to force yourself when it comes to matters of
the heart. Jeremy is already taken, so don’t hang onto him so tightly. You need to believe in yourself that you’ll find someone who
captured your heart just as he has captured yours. You’re a good person, and other people will be able to see that side of you.”
Melinda’s words caused Sophia’s sorrowful expression to suddenly turn cold. She lifted her head and glared at Melinda,
retorting, “Are you trying to teach me how to live my life? Who do you think you are?”
Melinda’s face froze. She looked rather exasperated and awkward as she responded, “I’m not. I’m just worried for you. I hope to
see you move on and find your happiness. I’ve treated you as my daughter ever since I married your father!”
Sophia sneered sarcastically. “Enough! Spare me your hypocrisy! Who are you trying to fool by pretending that you’re a good
person? I bet you enjoy seeing me heartbroken over a man! You must think I’m stupid if you expect me to believe your act! Mark
my words, Melinda. My dad might fall for your act, but I never will! Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. There’s still a
long way to go! The man that I set my heart on will become mine!” Sophia turned around and marched angrily toward her room.
Melinda sighed helplessly as she watched Sophia leave in a huff. Being a stepmother was very difficult, as it was evident when
her stepchildren misconstrued her genuine concern.
At that moment, her younger daughter Lilin tugged at the hem of her clothes.
Melinda snapped out of her thoughts and looked down. Lilin gazed up at her mother in concern. “Did Big Sister upset you
again?”
Melinda smiled gently and reached out to caress her daughter’s hair. She reassured the girl, “No, it’s just a misunderstanding.
Everything will get better with time.”
Lilin frowned. “But she never treats you properly even after all these years! I don’t like her!”
Melinda hoisted her daughter into her arms and advised, “Don’t think that way, Lilin. Even if Sophia is rude to me, it doesn’t
change the fact that she’s your sister. When your dad and I are no longer in this world, she’ll be your only family. The two of you
must support each other and be there for each other. Okay?”
Lilin nodded reluctantly and did not want to upset her mother any further. She muttered, “Okay, Mom. I understand.”
Melinda lifted her mature-thinking daughter and headed off to find her husband, Adam. She wanted to talk with him as she was
appalled he would act so violently earlier. His fiery temper had not diminished one bit despite his age.

Inside the guest room, Tommy tidied up Jeremy’s belongings and turned to get Jeremy up to speed. “Miss Corinne called earlier.
I told her that you were resting in the car because you were too tired, and she wants you to call her back after you wake up.”
Jeremy glanced up with a weary gaze. He replied, “Sure. Hand me the phone, and I’ll call her back.”
Tommy nodded. He took out Jeremy’s cell phone and dialed Corinne’s number.
The call was answered in no time. Corinne, with her worry-tinged voice, asked, “Are you awake?”