Eleanor was taken aback by Serena''s fierce determination to atone. Looking into her eyes, she felt thest of her own resentment begin to fade.


    "Just focus on your treatment for now," Eleanor said softly. "We can talk about the futureter."


    Though it was a simple, understated gesture of care, for Serena, it felt like absolution. It soothed her guilt-ridden heart. She nodded vigorously. "I will, Ellie. I promise I''ll cooperate fully and get better as soon as possible."


    "Good." Eleanor nodded and turned to leave.


    Serena let out a long breath andy back down. Just then, her phone rang. She nced at the screen and saw a name that now filled her with disgust.


    -Vanessa.


    Serena closed the door, took a deep breath, and answered the call.


    "Hello? Serena, are you there?" Vanessa''s voice was as gentle as ever.


    Serena wanted to scream every curse word she knew at her, but she held back. Vanessa''s skin was too thick; insults wouldn''t even scratch the surface.


    "What do you want? Spit it out," Serena snapped.


    "Serena, I''m sorry. I deceived you, and I kept things from you. Yes, I''m the one who has been donating blood to your mother all these years. For ten years, I never cked off, not for a moment, because I was so afraid something would happen to her."


    Hearing Vanessa''s


    self-congrattory apology made Serena feel sick to her stomach. She fought back the urge to curse her out and said caldly, what? The gave you


    money my brothasht


    enough? You want my whole family to thank you, too? To be eternally grateful?"


    There was a pause on the other end, then Vanessa''s voice returned,ced with a feigned hurt. "Serena, how can you think that of me? I know Eleanor said some things to turn you against me today, but for the past ten years, I''ve truly thought of you as my own sister-"


    "Your own sister? Wasn''t ying me for a fool for eight years enough? Your kindness was just a convenient way to get closer to my brother, to drive a wedge between him and Eleanor. You used me so you could extort everything you wanted from him."


    "Serena, you Vanessa sighed dramatically Serena, please believe me. I just gave blood a few days ago. I nearly drained myself to save your mother took your brothers money, yes, but also willingly risked my health to save her. And I''ll continue to do so."


    Serena suddenly thought of Eleanor''s new research. Vanessa didn''t know about it yet. She still thought she was the one and only donor in the world. Well, let''s see what she tries to leverage with that.


    "Fine. Let''s say I misjudged you. I can understand why you did it. Money is no object to the Goodwin family, and your blood is precious. It''s worth the price," Serena said, changing her tone.


    On the other end, Vanessa breathed a sigh of relief. The Serena she knew was back.


    "Serena, I''m so d you understand. I was so worried you''d misunderstood me."


    "Eleanor has been using this experiment to cling to my brother. You know I can''t stand her. In my heart, you''re still the only sister-inw I''ll ever ept," Serena said with a huff.


    "Is that so? Has her research produced any results yet?" Vanessa probed.


    "I thought she was some kind of genius, but it turns out she''s nothing special. She hasn''t found anything. Vanessa, my mom''s life is still in your hands."


    "Don''t worry. Like I said, as long as I''m here, I won''t let anything happen to your mother."