Serena, her voice choked with sobs, struggled to speak. Her tears fell like pearls from a snapped string, rolling down her cheeks one after another.
âI didn't mean to. Seeing Granny hurt like this, I blame myself. I wish I could take on all the pain myself."
The crowd watched her weep, her hair disheveled, and her clothes damp with tears.
"Why did the wheelchair slip?" Arabella asked.
âThe flowers in the garden was in full bloom, and it was so beautiful. I wanted to take Grandma there to see it and pick some flowers to put in her room. But the branch was too high, and I accidentally bumped into the wheelchair when I jumped down."
Perhaps realizing that she was at fault, Serena cried even harder, hugging Louisa tightly.
âMom, I didn't mean to. Grandma has been so good to me for eighteen years, I would never want to hurt her. I was just trying to pick some flowers for her, she loves flowers so much."
Louisa patted her back, "Crying won't help now. Just be more careful next time. Your grandma hasn't recovered yet, and this fall will only make her suffer more."
âLunderstand, Mom. I won't act on my own anymore. I'll ask for your approval before I do anything. I won't let Grandma get hurt again."
Serena's crying was heart-wrenching.
A maid, unable to bear the sight, stood up to testify.
"lL saw the wheelchair roll away from a distance. Serena tried to save Old Mrs. Griffith right away, but the wheelchair was too heavy, and it was moving too fast. Serena was dragged along and fell even farther than Old Mrs. Griffith."
âLet Serena change her clothes first,â Sampson suggested, then turned to the caretaker. âBella will stay with Old Mrs. Griffith. You go check if Serena is hurt and give her some medication"
"Yes, sirâ the maid replied, approaching Serena.
Serena was still weeping, "Uncle Sampson, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to."
At that moment, Arabella noticed Old Mrs. Griffith on the bed open her eyes slightly, and heard a weak voice.
"Bella."
"Grandma, I'm here.â Arabella leaned in closer immediately. âAre you feeling okay? Do you feel unwell anywhere?"
"My stomach. I feel nauseous. I think I'm going to be sick.â The expression on Belinda's face was one of great discomfort.
âTake it easy. I'll help you up.â As Arabella was about to lift her up, a maid brought a trash can, and Belinda vomited violently.
"Snow fungus soup?" Arabella recognized it immediately. "Who fed Grandma snow fungus soup?"
The maid glanced nervously at Serena.
Serena looked puzzled and explained, "I did some research online and found that snow fungus soup is good for nourishing the lungs and stomach. So I made some for Grandma since she used to enjoy it. Is there a problem?"
Another maid brought a cup for Belinda to rinse her mouth.
Yet another maid brought a warm towel to wipe Belinda's face.
A third maid handed Belinda a cup of warm water to soothe her throat.
Arabella helped Belinda to lie down slowly after turning on the air purifier. âGrandma has poor digestion. The snow fungus and sticky rice in the soup would burden her stomach and cause bloating."
"I didn't know." Serena was flustered. It was only a bowl of snow funqus soup, how could it cause bloating?
"Serena, in the future, if you want to feed Grandma anything, ask the caretaker or Bella first.â Louisa didn't expect this to happen, causing her mother to suffer unnecessarily.
"She meant well. She just didn't know." Kenneth tried to pacify the situation. âLet's take Serena to change her clothes first."