And so, over the years, Serena had be trapped in the web of lies Vanessa had woven, willingly bing a weapon in her hands. She would praise Vanessa to her mother and grandmother, extolling her kindness and talent.
At the same time, Vanessa made her presence felt during Gina''s annual stem cell infusions. She would visit the hospital daily, chatting with Gina and winning her over with the same charm she had used on Serena.
She recalled one evening after dinner when she mentioned Evelyn was at home. Vanessa immediately said she would love to see her niece. Serena, knowing Evelyn was fond of Vanessa, didn''t think twice and brought her to Goodwin Manor. Later, Vanessained of a headache, and Serena insisted she stay the night.
That evening, just as Eleanor arrived to pick up her daughter, Vanessa, who was supposed to be resting, came downstairs in a revealing, silky nightgown, iming she was thirsty. The timing was perfect; she ran right into Eleanor. Serena, watching with Vanessa from the second-floornding, saw the pained, humiliated look on Eleanor''s face. Vanessa had even given her a triumphant little smile, as this was around the time Eleanor and her brother were finalizing their divorce. Serena had been eager for Vanessa to take her ce as her sister-inw.
Though her brother hadn''te home that night, Vanessa had achieved her goal. Serena had sessfully helped her drive another nail into Eleanor''s heart.
Thinking back on her past actions now, Serena felt a chill run down her spine. She wanted to go back in time and shake her foolish younger self.
"Ah!" Serena cried out in anguish, burying her face in her hands as tears of regret streamed through her fingers.
A passing nurse heard her and rushed in. "Miss Goodwin, are you alright?"
Serena just shook her head, her body wracked with sobs. The nurse handed her some tissues and quietly left.
Later, Eleanor wasing out of theb and heading to the restroom when she ran into the same nurse. Seeing Eleanor, the nurse, who had been unable to calm Serena down, approached her. "Dr. Sutton, do you have a moment? Miss Goodwin has been crying for a while now, and none of us can console her. Could you please try talking to her?"
Eleanor paused, her hands under the faucet. "How long has she been crying?"
"For over an hour. Mr. Goodwin stepped out, and we can''t get through to her. It''s not good for her to be so emotional right now."
Eleanor nodded. "Alright, I''ll go see her."
Serena was still her test subject, and emotional stability was important. She dried her hands and walked toward Serena''s room.
When she entered, she found Serena curled up on the bed, her eyes red and swollen, her expression utterly dejected.
Hearing footsteps, Serena looked
up. Seeing Eleanor, she was
ovee with shame and
wiped at her tears, her voice
cracking. "Ellie I''m-I''m so sorry. The tears she had just managed to stop began to flow again.
Eleanor pulled a few tissues from the box and handed them to her, her tone even. "I told you I''m not holding onto the past, so you don''t need to me yourself. Just keep your emotions stable and cooperate with the treatment."
Her words, meant to be calming, only made Serena break down again. "I know— but whenever I think about the stupid things I did, I just... I just want to hit myself. I was so awful to you."
Eleanor looked at Serena and sighed. She understood that after learning the truth about Vanessa Serena was a victim in her own right Being manipted and deceived for so many years couldn''t be easy.
She gently patted Serena''s trembling shoulder. "It''s alright. Let the past go. It doesn''t matter anymore."
"But-"
"If you really want to repay me in some way, then cooperate with the treatment. Your recovery would be a good thing for Evelyn''s future, too."
Serena quickly wiped her eyes. "Ellie, as soon as I''m discharged, I''m going to register as an organ donor. If Evelyn ever needs anything, I''ll be the first in line."