By the time I came to my senses, I was already on the rooftop. Mom stood just a few steps away, teetering on the edge.


    The wind cut across my face like a de, stinging my eyes. It howled around us as if trying to pull both of us down with it.


    She was wearing a hospital gown, and her frail figure swayed in the wind like a leaf on the verge of being blown away.


    "Mom, what are you doing?" I screamed, my voice trembling with fear. "Come back! We can talk about everything!"


    Mom turned around. Her eyes were vacant, her facepletely devoid of color. She looked at me. "Serena... I''ve let your father down. I''ve let you down..."


    "Mom, what are you talking about? You haven''t let anyone down!" My voice was hoarse due to the harsh winds. "Mom! Please,e back. Don''t stand there..." I cautiously stepped closer, every movement agonizingly slow as I was terrified the slightest disturbance might push her over the edge.


    "Serena..." Her voice was so faint, almost swallowed by the wind. "Don''te any closer..."


    I froze, my heart pounding violently.


    "Mom, what''s wrong? Whatever it is, we''ll figure it out together. Please, just step back first, okay?"


    She shook her head, her gaze unfocused as if she were staring at something distant and unreachable. "I can''t go on anymore... Serena, I can''t..."


    "Don''t say that!" I forced back my tears. "You still have me and the Hastings family. You can''t just give up like this!"


    She let out a bitterugh, one more heartbreaking than tears. "The Hastings family? They want nothing to do with me... He''d be happy if I died..."


    "That''s not true, Mom. You have to believe me..."


    "Serena." She suddenly looked at me, her eyes clearing for a brief moment. "Do you hate me?"


    I shook my head. "I don''t hate you, Mom."


    She smiled-a smile filled with relief.


    "That''s good... That''s all that matters..."


    Just then, Lucas arrived with a doctor in tow.


    The doctor approached me and whispered, "Ms. Ashford, your mother has severe depression. Right now, her emotions are extremely Wher unstable. You need to be very careful..."


    My heart sank to the pit of my stomach.


    Depression... No wonder she had seemed off for so long.


    I couldn''t afford to break down-I had to save her.


    "Mom." I softened my voice, trying to keep it calm. "I know you''re in pain. I am too But we can''t give up. We still have a future. You''ll see me get married and help me raise my children..."


    Nicole''s eyes remained hollow as she stared into the distance as if she hadn''t heard a word I said.


    "Serena... I''m sorry..."


    Tears slipped silently down her cheeks.


    She shut her eyes in agony and murmured, "It''s all my fault... It''s all my fault..."


    When I saw her like this, my own tears finally broke free. I sobbed uncontrobly while gasping. air, and I could feel my throat tightening.


    Falling to my knees, I reached out helplessly. But I was too afraid to touch her,


    fearing that any sudden movement might push her over the edge.


    At some point, Alex appeared. Without a word, he pulled me up and held me tightly in his arms, gently patting my back.


    His voice was low and steady as he said, "It''s okay, Serena. It''s okay. Don''t be scared."


    I buried my face in his shoulder, my whole body trembling as I wept.