Chapter 4
Chapter 4 Remorse
Elizabeth had calmed down by then. The anxiety-fueled adrenaline rush prevented her from feeling the chill in the winter air earlier. By the time the cold caught up to her, she was too weak to stand on her feet.
After learning that Abby was out of danger, Elizabeth finally relaxed, and her body was overwhelmed with exhaustion.
Now that her feet were warm, she straightened out her clothes, wrapping the expensive coat tighter around herself.
Elizabeth smiled and replied, “Dominic, you’ve saved us once. I’m forever indebted to you, and I can’t trouble you any longer.”
Dominic’s heartache was palpable in his gaze. She still doesn’t understand my heart.
Six years ago, Dominic’s car had knocked her over by accident. He had sent her to the hospital and even rented a house for her after her discharge. Though his actions had initially stemmed from guilt, he fell for her after their prolonged companionship.
Dominic felt helpless about Elizabeth’s stubborn avoidance of his affections.
He shifted the topic and asked, “I heard things were nasty when you resigned from that investment firm. Did they make things difficult for you?”
Arthur opened a thermos and poured out a cup of warm water before handing it to Elizabeth.
She took a sip from the cup, and her body warmed up immediately.
Cupping her hands around the thermos, Elizabeth said to Dominic, “I won’t work at a company like that again. They’re flat out cheating their clients, and they target the elderly. I was serving an old woman that day. She looked wealthy, but I couldn’t bear to lie to her. I told her the truth, and when the company found out, they forced me to resign.”
Dominic was exasperated. She’s far too kind. She keeps claiming that she wants to make a fortune and give her children a comfortable life, but she can’t get over her conscience.
“Lizzy, why don’t you work for my company? I trust your capabilities.”
Elizabeth swiftly rejected his wish to protect her with a shake of her head.
“I’m already looking for a job. Plus, my academic qualifications aren’t suitable for a job in your company.”
Dominic audibly sighed at her rejection.
“My embarrassment will only grow if you keep rejecting my offer, Lizzy. What would people think if the CEO of Campbell Corporation can’t even convince someone to join his company?”
Who else would reject a CEO’s offer of help as many times as Elizabeth did?
Meanwhile, Antony and Arthur exchanged a knowing glance. They had, in fact, made an impressive amount of money from playing the stock market, yet they dared not tell their mother about it.
If Mommy knew about it, she’d panic and assume that we’re doing some shady things!
The boys had secretly banked in money to her account. She was clueless about the whole thing and had not touched a single penny of their earnings. Elizabeth continued to work several jobs to make a living, and her children were upset that she was working herself to the bone.
When the clock struck twelve, a nurse came to Elizabeth with good news.
“Miss, your daughter’s condition has stabilized. You can go home now and return at noon tomorrow to move her to the general wards.”
Elizabeth thanked her profusely, “Thank you! Thank you so much!”
“Can we see her?” Arthur piped up.
Abby’s health had always been poor, and the two brothers fretted over her constantly. The prolonged separation from her made the brothers uneasy and distressed.
Faced with the boys’ hopeful stares, the nurse could not bear to turn Arthur down.
“All right. You can come with me and see her through the window.”
The four of them followed the nurse into the ICU. Through the ward windows, they saw a pale-faced Abby lying on a white bed. She was lying on her side, a tube in her mouth and more snaking across her body.
Elizabeth’s tears welled up when she saw her daughter lying alone in the hospital ward.
She felt overwhelmed with guilt. My children have had a difficult time since their birth. Moving had become a common activity in their lives, and Elizabeth spent little time with her children because of her jobs. Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
She wailed, “Abby, this is all my fault! I’m sorry!”