Chapter 1888
Ellinor nodded, “I understand, Bertha.”
Gradually, she was coming to grips with the realization that in the voyage of life, many are ensnared in the shadows of a bygone love, mired in sorrow and consumed by regret.
Indeed, the mastery of one’s emotions was an elusive art, even for herself.
When she returned to the hospital room, Marlinie had indeed woken up.
She got out of bed and gently tucked Lea back in, who had kicked off her blanket in her sleep, and neatly tucked a few loose strands of hair behind Lea’s
ear.
Marlinie was thinking, a daughter her age should be carefree and safe by her mother’s side. But her own little girl, Pearl, was displaced because of her misguided decisions.
Lost in her melancholic thoughts, she was startled by the opening of the hospital room door. Seeing Ellinor, Marlinie’s dim eyes lit up.
“Pearl, you’re here!”
Ellinor greeted her mother with a smile and then put down Baber, who she was carrying, “Baber, be a good boy and go have some soup with Bertha!”
Baber, being obedient, was fearless with his mother around.
After settling Baber, Ellinor walked over to her mother, “Mom, why are you up so early? Bertha told me you didn’t sleep well last night!”
Marlinie gave her daughter a reassuring smile, “It’s okay, just had a nightmare; I’m not sleepy anymore.”
Ellinor didn’t press further, “Then have something to eat! Bertha bought us some soup!”
Marlinie nodded, not because she was hungry, but the chance to have breakfast with her daughter was a rare and joyous occasion.
They all gathered around a small table in the room, except for Lea, who was still fast asleep.
Bertha took care of feeding Baber, allowing Ellinor some time to chat with her mother.
At first, Ellinor coaxed her mother to eat more and didn’t bring up anything about the Howard family, fearing it might dampen her mother’s appetite. But once she noticed her mother was nearly finished with her soup, she finally spoke up, “Mom, I’ve visited the Howard family a few times in the past years.”
Marlinie’s hand, which was holding her spoon, stiffened. She looked at her daughter in surprise and unease.
She wasn’t hungry, but she ate obediently when her daughter told her to. But then, in the middle of her meal, her daughter mentioned the Howard family!
Pearl had actually visited the Howard family?
Ellinor stirred her soup absentmindedly, speaking in a low tone, “I had to go because of some issues. At that time, they didn’t know I was Pearl Howard. Later, my brother Balfour found out, and recently, McNeil of the Howard family also found out.”
Whenever Marlinie heard the name McNeil, her heart would skip a beat. She furrowed her brows and held her daughter’s hand, “Did they harm you in any way?”
Ellinor shook her head, “No. My brother always wanted me to return to the Howard family with him. He’s been very kind to me. As for McNeil, he also wanted to acknowledge me, but I ignored him.”
Assured that her daughter had not been targeted by the Howard family, Marlinie seemed to relax, “That’s good. Your brother has always been the one who loved you the most. I hope both of you are well. As for the others, if you don’t want to see them, you don’t have to!”
Ellinor agreed with a nod, then ventured, “Mom, do you know what kind of flowers are planted in the Howard family’s garden?”
Marlinie looked surprised at her daughter’s question, blinked in confusion, and then shook her head, “I don’t know, and I don’t want to know anything about their family.”
