Millicent spoke in an unhappy tone and snapped at Beatrice. “I was completely fine at school. Why is it that the moment I see you, I am in the hospital?
“You had a high fever. The teacher called me. I was the one who just took you to the hospital.” Beatrice lowered her head and spoke wearily.
Millicent pouted. “Isn’t it still your fault. In such cold weather, you didn't let me wear more. You made me get sick. I don't like you, you bad mom.”
Millicent was wearing a thick down coat. Beatrice, afraid she would feel cold, had even bought the extreme-cold series; from inside to outside everything was good quality and good fabric, but she was only worried that Millicent would feel uncomfortable, would not feel warm.
And she herself was only wearing a poor, thin down coat, and when cold, she only depended on shaking.
Hurt feelings spread through her heart, but she knew Millicent was still a child; how could she argue with her own child?
She softly sighed, lowered her voice, and tucked in Millicent’s blanket corner. “You take your injection properly. The doctor has already treated you well. We can leave the hospital very soon.”
“Stop pretending here. It’s all your fault! All your fault! Why are you not the one who is ill! Why does my sickness not spread to you? Better if you fall sick and die, and don't come bother me anymore!”
These words felt like magic, making Beatrice freeze in place. Millicent still didn't know, right, she was already ill, so ill that she was almost dying.
Even now, Beatrice could feel her lower body still slowly leaking thin lines of blood, wave after wave taking away her energy and strength.
At that moment, the doctor pushed the ward door open and looked at Millicent with blame as he said, “How do you speak to your mother like this?! You didn't become ill from wearing too few clothes. You clearly ate something unclean, and your stomach and intestines caught a cold.”
Millicent seemed to remember something. Her face suddenly became red. She pressed her mouth shut and didn't look at Beatrice, awkwardly allowing the doctor to check her.
“Your mom got herself wet just to take you to the hospital. Look at you, do you have even one drop of rain on your body? Kid, you need to be a little more understanding.”
After the examination was finished, the doctor spoke to Beatrice, “Your daughter is much better. After several more days of IV drip, she will be fully okay. You should also quickly go change your clothes.”
Beatrice gratefully bent toward the doctor in thanks and walked him out of the ward door. When she turned around, Millicent was staring at her with an angry look.
“You’re satisfied now, letting other people lecture me, you think you stand on the right side? Hmm, you think I will thank you? Keep dreaming!” Millicent said through clenched teeth.
So this was how she saw her. In her eyes, everything Beatrice gave had a reason, not love from the heart. But she didn't know what mother didn't truly love her own child?
“Millicent, I don't need your thanks. As long as you are okay, however, I am fine.” Beatrice paused and showed a bitter smile. “Even if I get sick instead of you, that is fine.”
“In the days ahead, you must look after yourself well. When the weather is cold, don't eat chilled food, and also eat outside less. Your intestines are weak; don't damage your body.” Beatrice spoke with concern, wishing she could empty every word in one breath to Millicent. “When it is cold, put on clothes; when it is hot, remove clothes. During weather changes, it is easiest to become sick, and also…”
“Alright, alright, are you irritating or not? You are talking so much just to go around and blame Aunt Sienna, blaming her for taking me out for ice cream. I am the one who wanted to eat it. Is that any of your concern! How can your thinking be so nasty?” Millicent covered her ears, her eyes looking at Beatrice with dislike.
The words Beatrice still meant to speak stopped all at once. Her lips were still parted, yet her throat felt tightly held, unable to make a single sound.
“Millicent?” a woman’s voice called from the back.
Millicent’s eyes immediately shone. “Godmother!”
Millicent jumped off the bed, roughly shoved away Beatrice, who tried to catch her, and hurried toward the door.
Beatrice slowly turned her stiff body and saw Millicent, dressed in only one thin layer, holding Sienna tightly, as though Sienna was her whole world.
