Chapter 23
The private ward at Mount Sinai Hospital reeked of antiseptic.]
Elara lay propped against the headboard, her skeletal fingers tracing photos in an album–Lorraine in an elegant dress on her wedding day, bowing to honor the Harper family ancestors.[]
“Ma’am, Ms. Castillo is here,” the butler announced quietly.[]
Elara’s head snapped up as the door opened.
Lorraine walked in wearing a forest–green coat, her hair pulled back in a perfect chignon.[]
Time had erased the eagerness to please from her features, replaced by quiet confidence.]]
“Lorraine…” Elara struggled to get out of bed but collapsed to her knees instead.]]
Lorraine instinctively stepped forward, then stopped herself.
Elara grabbed at her coat hem from the floor, tears streaming down her face: “I’m so sorry… I was wrong about everything…“]
Lorraine stared down at the woman who’d once whipped her with a bamboo cane, now groveling at her feet like a dried leaf.]
She bent to help her up, but Elara grabbed her wrist.
“This was meant for the family’s eldest daughter–in–law…” Elara’s hands shook as she removed a jade bracelet from her wrist, trying to slip it onto Lorraine’s. “I should have given this to you from the beginning… I was so goddamn blind…“[]
The moment the jade touched her skin, Lorraine jerked her hand away. The bracelet hit the floor and shattered.]
“Did you forget?” Lorraine looked down at the broken pieces, her expression cold. “Three days after the wedding, you said I was too trashy to deserve this bracelet.”
Elara’s sobs stopped as she remembered that day–how she’d given the bracelet to Aurora in front of the entire family during a dinner party. “That bitch ruined everything!” Elara wailed, clutching at Lorraine’s coat. “She manipulated Kieran, destroyed our family…”]
“Do you really think this is all Aurora’s fault?” Lorraine cut her off. “You knew what was happening. You allowed it all to happen, didn’t you?”
Elara gasped for air, dodging the question as she pulled papers from under her pillow: “This is Harper Industries‘ last 5% stake… if you’ll just help Kieran…“]
“So this is your real agenda?” Lorraine pushed the documents back. “You used your deathbed to guilt me into coming here, hoping I’d see your pathetic state and feel sorry enough to bail you out?”
“Too bad. Harper Industries is totally fucked. I’m not cleaning up your mess.“]]
“No, that’s not…” Elara’s eyes were bloodshot. “Lorraine, you were married to him for three years. Don’t you have any heart left?”
“Don’t you know better than anyone whether I have a heart?” Lorraine adjusted her coat, turning to leave. “I’ve paid your medical bills–consider it thanks for three years of your ‘care. That’s enough.“]
Elara felt the metallic taste of blood rising in her throat. She forced it down, grabbing Lorraine’s purse strap: “Lorraine… please, I’m begging you… at least go see Kieran…“]]
“There’s no point.”]
As she closed the door, Lorraine heard the heart monitor’s long and flat beep.
Medical staff rushed past her. She stepped back but didn’t turn around.[]
The next morning, news of Elara’s death reached her.
“Lorraine, do you want to go to the funeral?” Dorian placed a cup of hot coffee beside her. “I can come with you if you want.“]
“No, there’s no need. I’ve got to finish this design. No time for irrelevant bullshit.“[]
Noticing his silence, Lorraine glanced over: “Do you think I’m being too cruel, Dorian?“]
“No, Lorraine. I think you’re incredibly brave.”
He paused, then said quietly: “Lorraine, will you marry me?”
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