Chapter 2

After our three-month deal started, the vibe at home got pretty weird.

I stopped trying to stop her from eating steamed apples. Sometimes, I'd even pick up the freshest ones for her on my way home from work. She stopped hiding it from me, too.

Every day, she'd stick to her sacred food therapy routine, right on schedule. We had this fragile understanding between us. Neither of us dared to mention the ultimate promise.

Her spirits were much higher. She used to stay cooped up at home all the time, but now she'd actually head out for a walk in the park every so often. Her complexion was rosier, not that pale, lifeless look she used to have.

I figured it was all in her head. Maybe having a goal, something to challenge me with, was what got her energy back. I still wasn't buying that steamed apples could actually do anything.

It was the weekend, and I was lounging in the living room, watching TV, when the doorbell rang. It was my aunt, Linda Mason.

Linda was my mom's younger sister, but the two of them weren't particularly close. She was shrewd, loved to show off, and there was always a bite to her words.

"Hey, Sophia, I'm here to check on you," Linda called out as she walked in, making a fuss and carrying a few beautifully wrapped gift boxes.

My mom came out of the kitchen, still wearing her apron. "What brings you here?"

"Can't I drop by to see you? Oh my, Sophia, what's that smell in here? It's sweet, but strangely weird," Linda said, pinching her nose and scanning the room with a look of pure disgust.

My mom didn't say a word. She took off her apron and poured Linda a glass of water.

"Here, I had someone bring this Cell Activation Factor back from overseas for you. It's super expensive. They say it'll make you feel ten years younger," Linda said, pushing a flashy gold box toward my mom.

"And this, Deep Sea Fish Oil Omega-3, is great for your heart, perfect for folks your age." She started pitching all the stuff she brought, sounding like a salesperson.

My mom looked at her calmly and said, "I don't need any of this. Take it back."

"Seriously, Sophia, why are you so stubborn? I'm doing this for your own good," Linda said, her face dropping. "You're always stuck at home, looking so pale. You really need to give yourself a boost."

Then, the kitchen timer went off. My mom got up and headed into the kitchen. Moments later, she emerged holding a cup of steamed apples inside.

Linda's eyes nearly popped out. "Seriously, you're eating that?" Her tone was pure disbelief.

My mom didn't even respond, picked up a spoon, and started eating without a word.

"Oh, my god. Are you out of your mind, sis? What's the point of eating that? It's fruit, and you steam it, so all the nutrients are gone." Linda's voice was so sharp it could cut glass.

"Healthy living is all about science. You should be taking these fancy supplements I brought you." She pointed at the gift boxes on the table, looking like she was the ultimate health guru.

I couldn't take it anymore. "Aunt Linda, my mom can eat whatever she wants. It's her choice."

"Oh, Selena's home too? Why aren't you stopping your mom? She keeps wasting money on this useless stuff every day, and it's not doing her any good," Linda said, now coming for me.

"Lydia next door wouldn't listen to anyone. She was always trying those food cures, and guess what? She ended up in the hospital with a stroke a few days ago." Linda told the story with a smug look.

My mom paused for a moment, then went right back to eating. She silently finished the apples in her cup, one spoonful at a time, as if Linda's words didn't even exist.

To Linda, my mom's silence was like she was giving in or accepting blame. That only made Linda get even more pushy.

"Sophia, I'm being serious. Don't ignore this. Next week, I've got an appointment with the most famous Professor Miles in the city, an authority in cardiovascular health. You have to wait three months to get a slot," Linda said.

She made sure to emphasize Professor Miles and the three months. "If you want, I can talk to him and see if he can squeeze you in. You really need a thorough check-up." Her tone was full of that superior, patronizing attitude.

My mom finally finished her last bite of apple, set down her cup, and wiped her mouth with a napkin. Then she looked up at Linda calmly. "No, thanks," she said. "I know my own body."

Linda was at a loss for words, completely stunned.

"If you're done here, you should head home. I'm going to take a nap," my mom said, standing up and basically showing Linda the door.

Linda's face went from red to pale. She clearly hadn't expected my mom to be so direct. "Fine, my good intentions are wasted on you," she snapped, grabbing her bag and the gift boxes.

"I'm not going to bother with you anymore. If your health takes a turn, don't come running to me." She stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

The room fell silent. All that was left in the air was the faint scent of apples.

I looked at my mom. She stood there, her figure seeming a bit forlorn.

"Mom, don't let it get to you," I said, walking over to try to comfort her.

She shook her head. "I'm fine." She turned to face me, and there was a kind of determination in her eyes I'd never seen before. "Selena, three months from now, you'll see for yourself who's really right."

Her voice wasn't loud, but every word hit home.

Right then, it hit me. Maybe Mom wasn't randomly chasing after health fads. She was waging a battle, quiet and invisible, with an enemy only she could see. And her secret weapon? Those steamed apples.

The idea sounded kind of ridiculous, but when I saw that fierce determination in her eyes, for the first time, I wasn't so sure anymore.

Part of me was looking forward to it, but another part was nervous about what that check-up report would reveal three months from now.