Chapter 1884
Upon hearing the name ‘Howard Mountain Villa’, Bryan’s pupils trembled. He furrowed his brow, asking, “Dad, are you going to see my mom?”
McNeil nodded. “I have a few questions for her.”
Bryan showed a sense of helplessness. “Do you really need to go in person? Dad, you’re not in the best shape for a long journey.”
McNeil insisted, “Take me there now! There are things I need to clear up, or I won’t sleep a wink at home! Bryan, turn the car around!”
Bryan opened his mouth to dissuade his father but eventually fell silent, signaling the driver to change directions towards Howard Mountain Villa.
His mother had been living at the villa these past years. It was less of a choice and more of a house arrest following a series of her mistakes, imposed by his grandparents and father.
He hadn’t visited his mother during his years abroad.
Sigh!
After overhearing his father’s conversation with the lady in the hospital corridor, Bryan had some speculations. Apparently, his father shared the same suspicion that his mother was the instigator of the past misunderstandings.
Bertha had a doctor examine Marlinie in her room. The doctor claimed her irregular heartbeat was due to emotional distress; there were no major concerns if she rested and avoided overthinking.
Marlinie politely followed the doctor’s advice, asking Bertha to escort him out.
Returning from seeing off the doctor, Bertha looked at Marlinie with worry, “Marlinie, even the doctor says you’re overthinking! You can’t keep going like this; you’re gonna wear yourself down, even if your wounds heal!”
Marlinie managed a pained smile. “I’m sorry, Bertha, I’ve made you worry again. You’ve been up all night, ordering sandwich and handling uninvited guests for me.”
Bertha sat down and turned on her phone’s camera, snapping a picture of Marlinie, “Look at yourself. Your smile is more painful than a cry right now!” Marlinie looked at her reflection on the phone that Bertha held up, agreeing that her current state was indeed worse than crying.
Bertha laid her hand on Marlinie’s. “Marlinie, I know seeing him again must have been tough, but he’s gone now! I’ve said all that needed to be said, so he shouldn’t bother you again!”
Marlinie paused, looking at Bertha. “What did you tell him?”
Bertha replied, “I told him he’s done enough damage to you and Ellinor. If he had any decency left, he wouldn’t bother you anymore! But…”
Marlinie waited quietly, her eyes shining, for Bertha to continue.
Bertha added, “But, he didn’t seem to know about the assassination attempt on you back then. When I accused him, he looked bewildered, asking what happened. I suspect he might have been pretending!”
Marlinie’s eyes sparkled for a moment, then dimmed again.
“Alright, Marlinie, at least for now, we know he’s gone and won’t bother you for a while. Try to rest a bit and stop overthinking!”
Marlinie nodded, her mind a mess.
If it were so easy to control one’s thoughts, psychological issues wouldn’t be so prevalent!
But she knew that as long as she was awake, Bertha wouldn’t be able to rest either. So, for Bertha’s sake, even if she wasn’t tired, she decided to pretend to sleep.
Marlinie lay down and closed her eyes.
