Chapter 19
“Maybe we should’ve left you here to rot–someone like you deserves to spend a lifetime all alone!” he spat.
Adaline frowned and reprimanded him, “Julian, that’s too much! She’s still your sister-she just had surgery. How could you treat her like this?”
Lawrence Bennett’s voice rumbled, “What did Julian say that was wrong? Elena went through surgery alone, yes-but Annabelle is our biological daughter. She collapsed; of course we had to tend to her. Elena’s vicious speculation warrants a lesson.”
Rising, Adaline hurried to Elena, extending a hand. “Elena, come on-let me help you up.”
Elena was drenched in sweat, blood already seeping through her minimally invasive incision. The anesthesia had worn off, and every breath was a stab
of searing agony.
Physical wounds can be bandaged, but nothing stings like a shattered heart. Elena Bennett clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles blanched; her face had gone the lifeless gray of the dead.
Adaline helped her onto the bed with a weary sigh and said, “Elena, Annabelle is your sister. She has never harbored ill will toward you. You shouldn’t have spoken to her like that.
“It’s only natural your brother and father are upset, so don’t blame them.”
Elena slowly lifted her head to meet her mother’s gaze; in that instant she felt as if someone had ripped her heart apart and hurled the pieces into a bottomless abyss.
Yet her face remained a mask of indifference even while agony howled inside her.
Adaline settled Elena onto the mattress, then returned to Annabelle, patting the girl’s shoulder again and again as though soothing the most precious
treasure on earth.
“Alright now, sweetheart, no more tears,” she cooed. “Tonight Mommy will buy you your favorite cake.”
“Thank you, Mom. As long as I’m beside you, any grievance is worth it. Please stop blaming Elena-I stole her place, so it’s understandable she’s unhappy.”
“What do you mean you ‘stole’ it?” Julian Bennett snapped, his tone sharp as a blade.
“I’ve told you before, everything in the Bennett family is yours. We raised her for twenty years-she ought to be grateful and ashamed, not scheming against you at every turn!”
Julian’s words were savage; he punctuated them with a ferocious glare at Elena.
Staring numbly at the ceiling, Elena listened as they showered Annabelle with concern, competing to coax a smile from her, until at last the four of them laughed together like a picture-perfect family.
After a while Annabelle glanced at Elena on the bed and said gently, “Mom, Dad, it’s getting late. I can stay and look after Eleña. Your health matters-you should go home and rest.”
Julian rumbled, “I’m afraid you’d stay out of kindness while she refuses to appreciate it!”
“How could that be?” Annabelle protested softly./’Elena isn’t that petty, and I’m the one who ruined her life. Please, Elena, let me stay and take care of you.”
Elena’s eyes were empty as she rasped, “Thank you, but no.”
“E-Elena… are you still angry with me? Tell me what I must do to earn your forgiveness-shall I kneel and apologize?”
“Annabelle! You’ve done nothing wrong!” Julian barked. “Can’t you see she wants nothing to do with you? Stop embarrassing yourself-let’s go!”
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Chapter 19
With that, he seized Annabelle’s hand and strode out of the ward.
Lawrence Bennett rose, his expression thunderous. “Elena Bennett, you have disappointed me beyond measure!”
He flung his coat sleeve and left as well.
Only Adaline remained.
She stood, disappointment etching every line of her face. “Elena, Annabelle is pure-hearted. You shouldn’t treat her this way. I’ll arrange for someone to look after you take care of yourself.”
