Mom was visibly stunned, and aplex emotion shed through her eyes. "I had a feeling it was Felicia and Shirley."


    "They..." I bit my lip, struggling to get the words out. "Things had already died down, but they..." I trailed off, unsure how to continue.


    "What did they do?" Mom pressed in a trembling voice.


    I gripped her hand tightly as I gathered my courage. "They went to the media reporters and said awful things. Grandma... said you were a curse, that you brought bad luck and caused Dad''s death. But no one believes them anymore. Everyone knows they''re just spouting nonsense."


    Mom''s hand trembled violently, and her face turned deathly pale. She clutched my hand so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her lips quivered, yet she didn''t say a word.


    A long silence passed before she finally said in a hoarse voice, "Serena, your grandma has always resented me. She has always believed I was the reason your father died."


    A sharp pain stabbed through my heart like needles piercing deep into my chest.


    "Mom, don''t listen to her nonsense." But such feeble reassurance couldn''t possibly ease her pain.


    She forced a weak smile, though bitterness filled her eyes. "Serena, I''m fine. I''m used to it."


    I wrapped my arms around her tightly. "Mom, I''m sorry. It''s my fault. I should have protected you."


    We held each other in silence. I wasn''t sure who let go first, but eventually, we turned and walked back toward the hospital room. The air inside was thick with sorrow, so heavy it felt suffocating.


    After settling her in, I stepped out into the hospital corridor. Staring at the darkening sky outside the window, my mind was a tangled mess.


    Just then, my phone rang-it was Alex. "Serena, how''s Madam Burke doing?"


    "She''s asleep," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "The doctor said she needs rest."


    "That''s good." He paused before asking, "And you? How are you holding up?"


    "I''m fine," I replied. "You don''t have to worry about me."


    "Serena." His voice came softly through the speaker. "I know you''re struggling. If there''s anything on


    your mind, you can talk to me yo


    don''t have to carry it all alone."


    I took a deep breath to force my emotions down. "I know. But you''re overthinking. I''m not about to break down—not before we deal with. Elena f anything, I should be apologizing to you for all the trouble I''ve caused."


    After a brief exchange, I ended the call. I didn''t want him to worry as he had already done more than enough for me.


    Back in the hospital room, I saw that Mom was still asleep. Even in her rest, she looked exhausted, and her brows were furrowed in distress.


    I gently tucked the nket around her, my heart aching at the sight of her frail face.


    Later that night, I went home andy in bed, unable to shake my thoughts.


    The next morning, an idea struck me. Instead of staying on the defensive, why not take the


    initiative? I called Alex without


    hesitation. "Alex, what''s the current


    situation online?"


    "What are you nning?" His voice was rough with sleep. It seemed I had just woken him up.


    "Nothing much. I just think it''s unfair that you''ve been doing all the heavy lifting."


    He fell silent for a moment, his toneced with concern. "Serena, are you sure? I don''t want you getting upset if things go too far."


    "I''ll be fine," I said firmly. "You''re acting like I''m some fragile flower. And besides, when ites to my mother, how could I not fight back?"


    After a brief pause, he finally agreed. We set a time to meet at YS Media.