Helen's POV:
"Why did you give the package to my mother? You should know, among all people, that she can't be
stimulated."
"W-we didn't give it to your mother.She took it when we weren't looking.We strictly follow your order.We
planned to call you first to confirm if we could give the package to your mother.If you say no, we won't
hand it to her."
"We've sedated your mother, and she has calmed down.But I still hope you can come to the hospital as
soon as possible."
I hung up the phone and rushed back to the hotel.Then, I went straight to George's study.His meeting
should be over by now.
Thankfully, it was.
When I walked in, he had just turned his computer off.
When he saw me standing there with worry and apprehension written all over my face, he asked,
"What's wrong?"
"George, please book a flight to New York this instant.We have to go back there immediately."
"What happened? Don't worry.You can tell me anything."
George took out his phone and booked the tickets as he spoke.
"The doctor called and said that my mother was in poor condition.I have to see her ASAP," I reasoned
out, but it was not entirely the truth.
I did not mention my father to George.
Right now, the most important thing to do was to return to New York to visit my mother.I had no way of
knowing whether or not what Jane had told me was the truth, so I decided not to tell George about it.
At least, not yet.
If my father had a history with his father, George should have found out about it long ago.
If that was the case, it meant that he had kept it a secret from me and his family.I could not imagine the
stress he would suffer if this matter was exposed.I was sad and, at the same time, moved.
George had always shielded me from negative news and made sure I had nothing to worry about.It
was already early in the morning when we finally arrived at the hospital.
According to the doctor, my mother had been sleeping the whole time and she would need a thorough
examination when she woke up.
If it was confirmed that she did not have a relapse, the doctor suggested she be discharged from the
hospital.It would be better for her recuperation if she went home rather than stay in confinement.
"This is the parcel we've received.We took it back from your mother.Here you are."
The doctor handed me an envelope, and I took it with my trembling hands.
After my father had passed away, my mother burned all his belongings.
Even his ashes were not spared.
And sometime later, my mother took me out of Philly.
Although I hated my father, I sometimes still missed him.
Sadly, he had no possessions left, so I had nothing to commemorate him.
George had no idea that it was my father's belongings.He reached out to take it from me, but I refused.
"Who sent these things?" he asked the doctor coldly.
"I don't know.There's no sender details on it."
"It's from a friend of my mother," I lied.иσνєℓєвσσк.¢σмI did not want to show him my father's suicide
note, so I made up an excuse.
George did not ask any more questions.He just pulled me to a bench in the corridor and waited with me
until dawn.
"Sorry, I ruined our honeymoon," I solemnly said.
I felt guilty and sorry for George.It was difficult to squeeze the honeymoon trip in his hectic
schedule.We were supposed to take wedding photos too, but we returned before we could fulfill any of
our plans.
George wrapped me in his tight embrace and comfortingly patted me on the back.
"It's okay.We still have a lot of time.There'll be next time."
After a long day, George and I hurried home by plane.I was on the verge of collapse.
And now that my husband was holding me in his arms, exhaustion and anxiety came crashing to me all
at once.
With that, I leaned against his chest and closed my eyes to sleep.Not long after, the attending doctor
came to do the examination.
Although my mother had calmed down, her eyes seemed empty as if she were a soulless puppet.
Thankfully, she was cooperative of the doctor's instructions.I waited outside the door, clutching my
father's letter tightly.
A sharp knife seemed to have pierced through my heart, and it was excruciating.
My mom must have become like this because she had seen Dad's letter and recalled tragic memories
of the past.I did not have the courage to open it, nor could I bring myself to think about what the letter
said.
Since my father passed away, I had been full of hatred towards him, believing that he had betrayed me
and my mother.
And in my heart, his death was not enough to atone for his sins.
Over the years, I did not try to recall my father's kindness.I forced myself to hate him so as to distract
myself from his betrayal and suicide.
However, when I was on the island, Jane's words made me see the other side of my father.His love for
me, which was hidden in my memory, surged out like tidal waves.I leaned against George's chest and
tears streamed down my face, wetting his shirt.
He did not ask me what had happened and just held me tighter.
A few moments later, the doctor came out of my mother's ward after doing the routine check-up.
"The patient did not relapse, but her moed is still unstable.I'd like to keep her under observation for a
few days.You can send her home once she recovers."
"Doctor, can I stay here for a while to keep her company?" I anxiously asked.
"I wouldn't recommend it.It won't be helpful for her recovery with family around."
I did not want to leave my mother alone in the hospital, but what the doctor had said made sense.I had
to leave so she could soon recover.
Before leaving, I held my mother's hand and said, "Mom, listen to the doctor, okay? I'll take you home
when you get better."
Tears streamed down the corners of her eyes.
Suddenly, she hugged me tight, and I could not help but cry as well.I was aware that my mother had
never completely recovered.
Her emotions would amplify with even the minimal stimulation.She must have been carrying a heavy
burden in her heart all these years.иσνєℓєвσσк.¢σм
There was no doubt that my father had hurt her too much.
When we arrived home, I took the envelope into the study and locked the door.
Then, without further ado, I opened it.
My and my mother's name were written on it.
My father must Fave left it before he committed suicide.
He had asked Libby to give it to us, but she did not do so for obvious reasons.
Inside the envelope were a diary and two letters, one of which was for my mom and the other for me.I
opened my letter and saw my father's note for me.
"Helen, I've wronged you, and I'm too ashamed to face you, so I'm leaving.You've always been my
favorite daughter and my pride and joy.I'm sorry for what I've done to you and your mother.In another
life, I hope I could still be your father."
I burst into tears.I had not been able to accept my father's sudden death even after all these years.
He left just like that, leaving only suffering and the pain of being betrayed.
For years, I wondered if my father had ever felt guilty of doing this to us.
Who did he love more: Jane or me? Now that I had read his letter, I finally got the answer to the
question I had been asking myself for along time.
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