At 2 in the afternoon, Maria drove to the bus station to pick up Joel and his family.
Upon seeing Maria and her seemingly brand-new car, Joel exclaimed, "Wow, it's been over ten years, and Maria has grown up and become so beautiful. Plus, she has a car now."
"So, you must be Maria?" Joel's wife, Isla, scrutinized Maria from head to toe, enviously saying, "I heard from the family that your mother is missing and that your father sold you to the Carter family. We thought you were just a servant there. I didn't expect you to be living so comfortably with the Carter family—dressed well and driving a nice car. I'm so jealous!"
Instead of getting angry, Maria smiled, replying, "I feel very lucky, too.
"My biological parents favored boys over girls, but my current parents and siblings treat me like a valued family member. They've given me everything, and I'm very happy and love my family."
