Chapter 37

Just as they were sitting down for lunch, Kathleen's phone vibrated. It was a call from Chelsey. Kathleen glanced at the others and leaned over to Judy. "Judy, I need to answer a quick call." Judy nodded, and Kathleen quietly stepped outside. "Chelsey?" The other end of the line was silent. However, if she listened closely, she could hear the faint sound of someone crying. Kathleen's chest tightened. "Chelsey, talk to me. What's going on? Don't scare me." "My mom's threatening to kill herself if I leave," Chelsey finally whispered, her voice shaky. "Kathleen, I shouldn't have come home." Just hearing those words made Kathleen panic. She couldn't even imagine the pressure Chelsey was under. "Even if you just try to reason with her, she wouldn't listen to you?" Kathleen asked, her anxiety rising. "Why are they forcing you like this?" "Because of their precious reputation," Chelsey answered bitterly. "They care more about their reputation than my life. I was too naïve." "This is