After hanging up, I washed up and quickly fell into a deep sleep.


    It was a dreamless night. When I woke up, daylight had already filled the room. Pulling back the curtains, I let the sunlight pour in, dispelling the gloom of the past few days. My mood instantly felt lighter.


    After freshening up, I headed to have breakfast. Mom was already seated at the dining table, looking much better than she had yesterday.


    "Serena, did you sleep well?" she asked with concern.


    "Yes. I slept really well." I nodded and sat down across from her.


    "I''m sorry you had to handle the situation online," she said softly.


    I smiled. "Mom, what are you talking about? We''re family."


    She sighed. "This whole thing has made me realize a lot. I used to think marrying into a wealthy family would guarantee a happy life. But now, I see being part of a rich family isn''t as easy as it seems."


    I took her hand and gently reassured her, saying, "Mom, don''t dwell on it. From now on, we''ll live our lives well together."


    Mom nodded, her eyes slightly reddened.


    After breakfast, I apanied her for a walk in the hospital''s garden. The sun was warm, and a gentle breeze drifted through the air, carrying the faint scent of flowers.


    "Serena," Mom suddenly called out. "What''s going on between you and Alex?"


    I paused for a moment, caught off guard by the question. "It''s the same as always," I replied vaguely.


    She studied me with concern. "Serena, I can tell that he really cares about you."


    I fell silent.


    "Mom, I know," I said softly. "But now isn''t the time to talk about this."


    Mom patted my hand and didn''t press further.


    Back in the ward, I received a call from Alex.


    "Serena, how are you feeling today?" His voice was as gentle as ever.


    "Much better," I answered.


    "I''ll drop byter to visit you and Madam Burke."


    "It''s fine," I quickly said. "You don''t have to specially make a trip here."


    "No worries. I have time," Alex replied.


    I hung up the phone, feeling conflicted. I didn''t know how to face him or handle our rtionship.


    An hourter, he arrived. He was carrying a bouquet of fresh flowers and a fruit basket, his expression warm andposed. "Madam


    ke, are you feeling better?"


    He set the flowers and fruit down on the bedside table, his voice full of concern.


    "Much better, Alex. Thank you foring," Mom said with a smile.


    "It''s the least I could do." His gaze shifted to me. "Serena, let''s take a walk."


    I nodded and followed him out of the ward.


    The hospital garden was bathed in sunlight and filled with the sound of birds chirping and the scent of blooming flowers. We walked side by side along the pathway in silence.


    "Serena. Alex suddenly stopped a


    looked at me. "I''m really sorry about


    t belongs to swed


    that happened


    online."


    "It''s not your fault." I shook my head. "You''ve already done more than enough to help."