Chapter 2623
The hospital was bustling with activity, but a stern reminder from a passing nurse brought a hush to the chaos.
“Let’s try to keep it down. There are other patients here who want to rest.”
Victoria, quick to feel contrite, mumbled an apology to the nurse while simultaneously reaching out to shield Mara. She hadn’t expected Mara to lash out, shoving her aside and bolting for the exit.
Alone on the rooftop of the hospital, Mara let the tears flow. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, why are you doing this to me? Why did you give me a sister I can’t stand? I don’t need her! Can’t you just take her away? If it’s possible, just let me be an only child!”
Her plea was met with a crack of thunder, as if the sky itself was responding. Rain poured down on her, but Mara felt a twisted sense of relief amid the downpour and made no move to seek shelter.
At that moment, Mara’s resolve hardened. If the heavens couldn’t hear her plea, couldn’t grant her the outcome she desired, then she’d take matters into her own hands. Life was too long to live in someone else’s shadow, to be overlooked when Victoria was around. Would Balfour even spare her a glance with Victoria in the picture?
She knew the answer without asking, and she was determined to change the narrative with her own two hands.
Victoria took a few steps after Mara, her heart torn between the chase and the concern for her father. Reluctantly, she stopped and turned back.
Resting a hand on her forehead, she sighed deeply before addressing Balfour, “Thanks Balfour, but this is a sister thing. You getting involved will just complicate matters.”
Balfour’s voice was even, “You’re too soft on your sister. She blames you for everything and that’s hardly fair. Don’t you see that?”
Victoria fell silent. Of course, she saw it. But it was a family matter.
“She’s my sister,” she whispered, the weight of Mara’s resentful gaze still fresh in her mind-a gaze no sister should cast upon another.
“Let’s drop it. Aren’t you tired? Sit down and wait for your dad,” Balfour suggested, concern lacing his words.
It was only when Victoria sank into the chair that she felt the full brunt of her exhaustion. She had been holding herself together, poised to explain and clarify everything. But now, as she leaned against the wall, all she could do was silently pray for her father’s safe return from the emergency room.
As Balfour had predicted, Mara returned, soaked to the bone, slipping quietly into a seat a few spaces away from them, as if nothing had happened.
Victoria, meanwhile, had succumbed to her weariness and drifted off to sleep.
Balfour didn’t want to get involved, but seeing Mara’s drenched state, he knew Victoria would be worried sick upon waking. “You’ll catch a cold in those wet clothes. Go to the nurse’s station and get something dry to wear.”
Mara’s eyes sparkled at Balfour’s concern. A smile crept onto her face, an undeniable sign that she mattered to him. Despite his harsh words earlier, his immediate worry over her getting wet seemed like a clear indication of his feelings.
Nodding eagerly, she replied, “Okay, I’ll go change and be right back.” Her heart fluttered with the thought that maybe, just maybe, Balfour did care after all.
