FULL NOVELXO Chapter Love Web 86
Chapter 86
As soon as Ellie stepped into the hospital room, she saw Joanna slap her brother hard across the face.
"Mom!" Ellie and Nancy instinctively moved in front of Aaron
Nancy spoke up, "Joanna, it's our family's fault. If you're going to hit someone, it should be me. I should have raised my son better"
Joanna looked at her son with pity, but her expression was serious. It doesn't matter who's right or wrong. You can't just storm into someone else's house without considering your elders."
Todd stood at the foot of the hospital bed, his expression a mix of embarrassment and concern. "Joanna, it's our fault for not raising our child properly. Please forgive us." Unable to take the tension any longer. Todd turned and left the room. "Mom, Nancy, you two talk. 171 step out for a minute," Aaron said, maintaining his composure as he exited. He didn't forget to acknowledge the elders
"Brother," Elise called as she chased after Aaron into the elevator. They arrived in the small garden at the back of the hospital.
Sining side by side on a bench in the garden, Ellie looked worriedly at her brother, sensing the helplessness radiating from him.
Aarong
gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'm fine."
like her own feelings at that moment
But when Aaron said "I'm fine." Ellie felt tears welling up in her eyes. Adult breakdowns are usually silent, just like
On the surface, they seemed normal-joking, playing around, socializing working. They might appear calm, but deep down, they were carrying a heavy emotional burden that had built up over time.
she wouldn't slam doors or throw things around, and neither would her brother. After being pushed to their limits, silence was all they haill left. This was the helplessness of being poor in an adult world.
"It's all my fault." Ellie said, tilting her head up to the moon in the sky. "If I hadn't gone to save that person hack then, Dad wouldn't have lost a leg while saving me. All these years relying on medication to survive has left him with so many complications..."
Elle gazed at the moon with tears in her eyes. The choices she made when she was naive forced her to carry the consequences into her mature years. It wasn't just her burden; it extended to her family as well.
Choking back tears, she whispered, "I regret it so much."
If she could go back to that summer, she would have chosen indifference over kindness. If she hadn't gone to save that guy, her father wouldn't have sacrificed his leg for her. If her
dad had been able-bodied, he'd be close to retirement by
If her dad hadn't been disabled, she was sure he could have supported the family, handling all the responsibilities without watching her mom strundle alone and often break down. She wouldn't have been sent to live with the Warren family for over a decade. Her parents and brother wouldn't be suffering and in need even now
If her dad hadn't been disabled, the four of them would have lived a happy life, never allowing anyone to trample on their dignity or twist their spines under the weight of gratitude
At that moment, Ellie hated her past self deeply.
Aaron wrapped his arm around Ellie's shoulders, allowing her to lean against him. "No one can guarantee that every step they take is the right one. None of us have ever blamed you, not Mom or Dad. You don't need to look back, don't cry, and certainly don't regret. Kindness may be free, but it's not cheap
At the same time, in Ellie's father's hospital room, Nancy was pulling Joanna to sit beside the fold-out couch for visitors. Gone was the strong and commanding aura of the wealthiest woman in Jaslands, she seemed more fragile than ever. "Joanna, you know my eldest son.." Nancy's voice choked as she spoke about him. "We were so strict with him. He was hardworking and brilliant but in the end, he never settled down or built a life for himself. Just like that, he's gone."
Joanna, as a mother herself, could understand the pain of losing a child, but she felt helpless and could only pat Nancy's hand in consolation.
Nancy continued. "Those years, my husband and I felt like we were living in hell. We poured all our love into Alex. Whatever he wanted, we gave
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Chapter 86
him. Whatever he wanted to do, we let him follow his dreams...
"That rebellious kid turned out the way he is because we spoiled him rotten"
"With my eldest son gone, I wish I could adopt Ellie as my daughter. It would bring some life into our home during the holidays and give me someone to talk to. I genuinely like her. Who knew that Alex would.." Nincy said, her words trailing off as she felt anger rising in her Mentioning Alex made Nancy dizzy with frustration.
Joanna replied. "Even though I gave birth to her, she was raised by your family, I owe the Warren family for their kindness to my child, and I could never repay you. If Ellie doesn't have a problem with it, neither do we.
When Ellie and her brother returned, Nancy had already left. Ellie mood by her father's bedside, her head bowed, unable to find the words to express her guil
Joanna sat beside the folding bed, looking at the side profile of her son she had just scolded, her eyes full of sorrow.
Aaron was crouching next to Joanna, holding his mother's hand "Mom, I'm not hurt at all. You don't need to worry about me
How could a slap on the face not hurt? When Aaron spoke, the dam brake for Joanna. Tears streamed down her checks. "If anyone's to blame, it's me for not being capable Just promise me you won't go looking for trouble again."
"If it weren't for Carlos, you two wouldn't be here today. We can't repay that debt of gratitude, so just bear with it," she said, her words mixing with resignation. Ellie exchanged a glance with her brother.
"Aaron, you stay here with Dad. I'll take Ellie to see Carlos, Joanna decided, getting up and pulling Ellie out of the room without waiting for a reply.
Elle accompanied Joanna to the elevator, sporting Carlos's ICU room from a distance. Haley and her mom were being blocked from entering by Nancy
As soon as Ellie uw Haley, she approached quietly.
Nancy came up enthusiastically, grabbing Ellie with one hand and Jounna with the other, glaring at Haley blocking the door. "Get lost!"
Haley had no choice but to step back with a frown, moving out of the way. Seeing Nancy pull Ellie into Carlos's room made her him to Alex with a look of grievance.
Following Aler's gaze toward the room where Ellie was, Haley could hardly suppress her feelings "Alex"
Alex finally pulled his eyes saway from the room. "You're not fully healed. What are you doing running around"
Haley clutched an Alex's sleeve, her voice filled with regret. I'm sorry. I just wanted to check on your grandpa and see if he was okay. I thought I was being caring."
Alex sighed and took off his jacket, draping it around Haley's shoulders. "Let's go. I'll take you back to your room so you can rest,"
When Alex returned, he saw his mom and Joanna deep in discussion by the elevator.
He entered Carlos's room directly. Inside the ICU, only Ellie was there. She sat in a chair beside her grandfather's bed, gently holding his hand while wiping away lears.
Seeing the pale face of his cousin Ellie, Alex felt an indescribable weight in his chest. He grabbed a couple of tissues and quietly approached her, ready to comfort her in this time of sorrow.