Before they walked in, Niamh found Sean sitting by the bed with both his hands clasped around Eloise’s. His very handsome features were filled with concern.
It was evident how much Sean cared about Eloise.
Niamh’s heart twinged, and she suddenly turned to lean against the wall. Her eyes were staring at the ground in defeat.
Kendrick quickly grabbed Niamh’s shoulders. “It’s not your fault, Nia.”
One glance was all he needed to see through her, to realize that she was feeling guilty inside.
Niamh remained silent, and Kendrick decided to pull her into his arms. “It’s only natural for a mother to protect her children. As long as you’re okay, I’m sure Mom will feel at ease.”
Hearing the man’s comforting words, Niamh lifted her teary gaze at him.
“Thank you for consoling me, Kendrick. I won’t overthink it anymore.”
“We’re husband and wife, silly. You don’t need to thank me for this, hmm?” Kendrick lifted his finger to scratch the tip of her delicate nose.
Niamh pursed her lips and smiled before suddenly frowning.
“What about the man who kidnapped Mom?”
“He has been brought in by the police and is now in the detention ward. He confessed to everything.”
“What did he say?” Niamh pressed further.
Kendrick stroked Niamh’s tired cheeks while parting his lips to reply. “He said he saw Mom by the road near the ruins of Montgomery Manor. He recognized her from her looks, so he conned Mom to follow him to where he lived. Then, he called us and asked for ransom.”
When he said that, Kendrick felt slightly regretful.
“I made the wrong decision to let you go in alone. I was fully capable of subduing that b*stard by myself, yet I ended up putting you in that kind of danger.”
Kendrick cupped Niamh’s face, his narrow and deep eyes overflowing with remorse. “I was so scared that you’d get hurt again, Nia.”
Niamh looked up to stare at the man’s enchanting peach blossom eyes, feeling incomparably adored.
She leaned into his embrace without hesitation and felt the weight above her chest lighten.
“I’m so glad to have you, Kendrick.”
Kendrick smiled and caressed Niamh’s head. “Silly.”
Niamh smiled in relief, feeling much better now.
It was the following morning when Eloise finally woke up. As her condition was slightly critical, it affected Eloise’s physicality greatly and all she could do was look at the person in front of her with her eyes open. She could not say a word.
Niamh’s heart ached tremendously at the sight.
Still, regardless of how muddled Eloise’s mind was, Niamh could still feel that her mother cared about her.
Eloise’s tired gaze would always be filled with gentleness and love when they trained on Niamh whenever she entered the room.
Karen would also come to the hospital every day to take care of Eloise, bringing freshly brewed warm herbal soup and personally feeding Eloise one sip at a time. Karen would even comfort the other as she fed, saying, “Get better soon, Eloise. It has to be uncomfortable staying in the hospital every day. Get better and come back to the manor. We’ll spend each day chatting and making snacks like we used to.”
Eloise did not reply, but she looked at Karen with an expression that seemed to show her understanding.
Niamh found herself comforted when she noticed the change in Karen and Eloise’s relationship.
Eloise’s mental condition had recovered greatly over the past few days. She would even say a couple of words here and then, even though it would be particularly strenuous for her.
Niamh would shuffle between home and the hospital every day, but she did not find herself complaining about how difficult it was. She was content as long as she got to be with her family. It was mainly because she had lost too many opportunities to spend time with her family, so she cherished every minute she had now.
Kendrick’s heart clenched at the sight of Niamh being so busy every day, so he secretly arranged a vacation for the both of them. He was thinking about taking Niamh out on a trip to destress.
Niamh had been pulling herself taut all this while and he would do anything to have her relax for once.
Niamh had no idea that Kendrick was planning a trip for the both of them. Having sent the kids to kindergarten as usual, Niamh then made her way to the hospital to take care of Eloise.
Niamh was in the car, waiting for the light to turn green at the intersection when she suddenly received Kendrick’s call.
The man’s warm and gentle voice that was like a spring breeze drifted into her ears and tickled her heart. “Where are you now, Nia?”
“What’s this? Is Mr. Waldburg missing me?” Niamh jokingly teased Kendrick.
The man chuckled lowly and replied cooperatively, “Yeah. I miss my wife, so I’m wondering if my wife is free to come over and elevate my yearning?”
Sweetness filled Niamh’s heart, but she kept a cold facade. “Very well, then. I suppose I could grant your wish this one time.”
She hung up the phone with a smile. Watching the light turn green, Niamh then stepped on the accelerator.
She looked up and her eyes zoned in on the person walking on the zebra-crossing right in front of her.
The early autumn breeze blew, and Niamh looked at the silhouette of the person who entered her line of vision. She wondered if something was wrong with her eyes.
‘How… How could it be?’
Niamh gripped the steering wheel as she watched the familiar face a small distance away pass by…
Honk, honk, honk!
The sound of cars honking and urging her sounded from behind, causing Niamh to snap back to her senses. When she looked up again, the face she had just seen was nowhere to be found.
‘Did I imagine it?’
Niamh’s mind fell into a short daze, but she did not think too much into it and stepped on the accelerator.
Upon meeting up with Kendrick, Niamh came to know that the man had booked flight tickets for their relaxing holiday trip and they were leaving tomorrow.
As she understood Kendrick’s intention, Niamh did not reject the idea.
In retrospect, she and Kendrick had never gone on a decent honeymoon with how they kept separating and getting back together all these years.
After deciding on the itinerary, both Niamh and Kendrick went to visit Eloise at the hospital.
They were leaving tomorrow and Niamh was most worried about her mother.
“Go and relax with Kendrick, Eveline. Your mother is already recovering and she has your Dad to take good care of her. Don’t worry and go relax.” Sean patted Niamh’s shoulder and promised that she could have peace of mind.
Niamh knew and trusted her father to do everything to take care of Mom, but she could not help but miss her mom.
After all, Eloise only suffered such a serious injury because she wanted to protect Niamh.
She sat by the bed and took Eloise’s hand, looking into her mother’s tranquil and kind features.
“Eveline won’t be gone for very long, Mom. You have to listen to Dad and take good care of yourself, okay?”
Niamh urged softly and saw Eloise looking back at her with confusion. Her heart sank slightly and she felt a little lost.
Kendrick saw Niamh’s disappointment and walked toward her. He put his hand on her shoulder and patted comfortingly.
“Don’t be disheartened, Nia. I’m sure Mom will remember that you’re the daughter she has been missing someday.”
“He’s right. Your mom will recover, Eveline. Don’t worry.” Sean came over to comfort her as well.
One was her beloved husband and the other was her father. Feeling the care and love these two men had for her, Niamh felt joy flood her heart.
At that moment, Niamh suddenly remembered the scene on the road not too long ago. She wondered if it was her own illusion and was still considering whether to tell Kendrick about it when Karen brought in a bowl of warm soup.
Knowing that Niamh and Kendrick were going on a trip tomorrow, Karen picked up the soup and walked toward Eloise. She spoke in an encouraging tone, “Yeah, take a trip. Look at you two. You already have three kids. Jack and Lillian aren’t babies anymore, but you haven’t even had your honeymoon.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Eloise,” Karen promised while smiling at Eloise. “Don’t worry, Eloise. With me visiting you every day, you’ll never get bored.”
At that, Elosie nodded slightly as if she was in agreement with what Karen said.
Niamh could tell that Karen would take good care of Eloise. “I’ll have to trouble you for the next few days then, Mom.”
“It’s no trouble. We’re family, aren’t we? I’m just doing my part.” Karen sighed with a pitying tone while she brought a spoonful of herbal soup to Eloise’s mouth. “I must’ve been blind before with how I couldn’t see the truth even when it was in front of my eyes. I made you suffer so much, Eveline, and I fought horribly with Eloise. Looking back on it now, it was absolutely ridiculous.”
Karen chuckled self-deprecatingly as she locked gazes with Eloise.
“How unfortunate now that Eloise is suffering such consequences when she already can’t recognize her own daughter. Sigh.”
She sighed involuntarily before she realized that the hospital room had grown silent just as she finished speaking. She found Eloise frowning and staring especially heavily at her. A moment later, Karen immediately backtracked.
“What am I saying? Pretend I didn’t say anything, okay? Don’t worry, everything will turn out okay in the end.”
She quickly changed the subject and began to encourage Eloise.
“You’ll get better Eloise. You will.”
Eloise must have understood for she smiled softly in return.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.