bChapter /bb39 /b

When Lionel emerged, Eleanor and the others rushed over.

“How’s Ste” Eleanor asked as she trembled so violently that Mary had to brace her.

Lionel removed his surgical mask and looked at them calmly. “Weak but stable, She’ll need several days‘ recovery here before discharga

“Thank goodness,” Eleanor breathed in relief, reassured by the news.

“Che’s in her bward/b. You may see her now”

“Thank you, Lionel,” Eleanor said earnestly

Lionel gave a cont nod and walked away–eyes never touching Anna.

Anna could sense that something had changed with Lionel.

On the surface, he seemed the same as ever since Ste hade back. But where he used to sh Anna a quick grin before leaving, now he didn’t even spare her a nce,

Eleanor entered the ward first. The room’sfort eased her tension. “Ste, I’m here,” she whispered.

Ste stirred awake. She stared at Eleanor and tried rising, but dizziness hit her and mmed her back down. She almost fell on the floor.

Eleanor lunged to steady her. “Don’t move, sweetheart.”

“Grandma” Ste’s voice rasped, face contorted with bpain/b.

Tears flooded Eleanor’s eyes. “Thad no idea, I never would’ve blet /bbthis /bhappen if I know.”

Mary handed Eleanor ba /btissue as Ste reached for Eleanor’s tears. “My fault, Ms. Hayes, I shouldn’t have burdened Mrs. Hayes with your struggles. I’ve

bonly /bmade things worse,” Mary said.

Ste shook her head. “It’s okay, Mary. You cared. That’s what matters

Mary’s heart cracked. Decades serving this house, she’d watched Andrew and Fionavish Anna with love bwhile /bgrinding Ste to dust.

She was merely a maid. She tried to help, but every attempt only backfired. Now, grief sat heavy on her tongue.

“Andrew,” Eleanor snapped, “get over here.”

bAndrew /bapproached with a grim expression.

“Apologize to Ste. Now!”

“Apologize? To her?” Andrew looked at Eleanor in disbelief

“Mary spelled it out in as bday/b. Ste stayed silent this whole time, but you,” Eleanor said, “you tore into her like some brabid /bbeast. Now apologize”

“I’m her father” Andrew protested. “I have the right to discipline her. I won’t apologize.”

b“/bbBut /bmistakes demand apologies. Even from parents. It’s your fault this time.”

“bNever/b.” His pride was a fortress. Even if he knew he was wrong, he would never say sorry.

Eleanor suddenly beat himb, /band he dodged in disbelief, “Mom? Have you lost your mind?”

b1/3 /b

You show zero remorse for breaking your daughter. Do what I say

“She started this. She stole stuff and got Max heat up!” Andrew snapped. “It’s all her bfault/b, so I beat her

Eleanorughed bitterly. “Ste? Staal Decause the survived Dusty Pines? Because she had a tough time All prejudice. How ridiculous you Ex, Andrexi

“Listen, bshe’s /bhere for me, if she wanted revenge? You pained it. Years bof /bcruelty without a single apology, yet you stander her and always y the bfather /bcard. You’ve thaned me

“Mom,” Andrew murmured, hurt by her harsh words.

Eleanor’s voice dropped to ice. “Either apologize or get out Ste won’t see you again.”

“I’ll stay and look after Ste, Fiona offered, stepping forward.

Suddenly, Anna copsed dramatically to the flour and made a loud sound.

“Annal” Fiona shricked. “We are out too long. She’s overexerted. Andrew, drive us home now.”

Andrew freaked out and scooped Anna up, cooing reassurance. “Anna, hold on. We’ll get you home quick.”

Max followed. The room fell silent.

Ste watched them leave, face calm but jaw tight. Eleanor bwitnessed /beverything, heart heavy.

She squeezed bSte’s /bhand. “I know how often they do this. They’re blind. Don’t be bsad/b. Even if they won’t love you, I do.”

Ste didn’t want to bum out Eleanor. She forced ba /bsmile. “It’s fine, I don’t care.“”

“How does Anna’s fainting act always work? She’s tougher than they think,” Eleanor muttered.

“Could it be just another excuse to abandon me? The thought hollowed Ste’s chest

“Mary, it’ste. Take Grandma home,” Ste urged.

“I’m staying,” Eleanor insisted, bheading /bto the couch,

Mary looked stressed. Ste soothed, “Grandma, head home, please. The hospital’s grim, Nurses bcan /bhelp me?”

“And bleave /byou feeling unwanted?” Eleanor asked.

Ste hesitated. The hospital felt freer than home, but also lonely. bYet/bb, /bseeing Eleanor exhaust herself hurt.

“I’m really fine, Grandma. Send a nurse and head home, okay?” bSte /btried weakly

Eleanor bhadn’t /bbudged. Ste shot Mary ba /bsilent pleading look

Then Mary intervened “Mrs. Hayes, I’ll stay. You hovering stresses her

Eleanor relented. “Fine, you stay. I’m heading back,

“Both of you, go home,” Ste interjected. “If there’s trouble, I’ll call Lionel’s on duty tonight, Don’t worry

Eleanor knew Ste might want to leave the hospital if she kept pushing. “Alright, go ask Lionel to keep an extra eye on you,” she said

a bunch of warm reminders before heading out, feeling kinda reluctant.

The door clicked shut. Silence swallowed the room. Alone, Ste Temembered Andrew’s merciless blows and how he’d shattered their bond.