"The Thornton Family is a prestigious household in Wildore, yet after a whole year of hospitalization, they still haven’t arranged for surgery? When I went to change the dressing, I saw that the old lady could barely hold on. How can her family not be anxious at all…?"
"Shh, don’t ask what you shouldn’t. The Granville Family has already spoken, even the director has to keep it under wraps. Looks like they don’t intend to save her, just dragging things out. They even replaced the special medication with glucose. There’s no way she’ll make it."
"She probably won’t last more than a couple of days… This family is truly ruthless. They have all that money, yet they won’t even save one person…"
Tears welled up in my eyes as I rushed into my mother’s hospital room.
Her once rosy face had turned pale in just a few days. I had been taking care of her every day, yet I only realized something was wrong now.
The monitors beside her kept blaring with alarm sounds and my mother’s breathing grew weaker and weaker.
But, even in her final moments, she was still thinking about my wedding.
She held my hand, her voice barely audible. "Hazel… Mom probably won’t be able to see your wedding. Edward is a good child. After I’m gone, he will surely take good care of you. Can you call him over? Mom wants to say a few words to him…"
With tears streaming down my face, I gently pulled the blanket over her. Then, I ran out to find a doctor.
But when the doctor came to check on her, he only shook his head helplessly. He said my mother was gravely ill and her body could no longer withstand surgery.
All he told me was to start preparing for her funeral.
I swallowed my anger and drove to Edward’s company. But before I could step inside, I heard Florence’s voice from outside.
"Edward, you’ve already helped me so much these past three years. Mrs. Thornton is still alive, after all. If you let me take charge of the project, my sister will definitely be upset."
Edward’s voice was filled with bitterness, low and suppressed. "You are my sister-in-law. It’s only right for me to help you. Sign it. You’ll have to get familiar with the company’s affairs sooner or later. As for Mrs. Thornton… she probably won’t last much longer. You don’t need to worry about her."
A flicker of triumph flashed in Florence’s eyes before she quickly replaced it with a concerned expression. "Mom’s not going to make it? Then I’ll go visit her at the hospital today. Even though she never acknowledged me as her daughter, I still want to earn her forgiveness."
I could no longer contain the fury burning in my chest. I pushed the door open with force and snapped, "There’s no need for your fake kindness. My mother doesn’t want to see you either!"
Edward’s expression shifted to panic as he quickly got up and walked toward me. "Why are you here? Don’t misunderstand. I was just discussing the new project with Florence, nothing more. She just mentioned it casually, don’t overthink it."
Florence stood up, smiling as she waved at me. "Hazel, long time no see."
I didn’t spare her a glance and turned to head downstairs. But Edward chased after me, anxiously explaining himself over and over.
Watching his desperate expression, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of mockery in my heart.
To pave the way for Florence, he had humiliated me at my father’s funeral. Now, he had cost my mother her life. Having finally gotten what he wanted, who was he pretending for now?
"Don't worry, I'm not that unreasonable. I won’t interfere in the Granville Family's business. I was just on my way to the hospital and stopped by to see you. Since you're busy, I'll get going."
He let out a sigh of relief and personally walked me downstairs to see me off.
But on the way to the hospital, my phone rang. It was the doctor. He told me that my mother had just taken her last breath.
I slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden stop by the roadside. Anger and disappointment tangled together in my chest, surging uncontrollably.
After a long struggle, I turned the car around and headed back to the Thornton Family home to pack up my mother’s belongings.
Just as I finished sorting through the boxes, Florence suddenly appeared before me.
