A kiss

Elena nodded and left.

When Amelia was alone, she sat down heavily on the couch, looking

confused.

She kept trying to comfort herself. At least Elena, whom she had raised, was doing well. It meant that things wouldn’t be too difficult for her in the future.

That made Amelia feel better.

Madelyn had brought a nutritious breakfast to the hospital for Serena. When she arrived, the little girl was still sleeping while Melinda looked

exhausted.

Madelyn placed the breakfast gently on the table beside them. Melindal looked at her and squeezed out a smile. “Maddie.”

Madelyn asked in concern, “Why do you look so exhausted? Didn’t your sleep well last night?”

“Serena suddenly started having a high fever last night. I…” Melinda’s voice choked up, and she could not go on.

Madelyn could guess what the situation was. Serena was in a critical.

condition, and if she didn’t get an operation soon, her life could be in

danger at any moment.

Serena heard their voices and opened her eyes groggily. She clenched her little fists and rubbed her eyes, looking especially adorable.

When she saw Madelyn, she called sweetly, “Mommy.”

“Are you hungry, sweetheart? Can she eat?” Madelyn turned to ask Melinda. Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Melinda nodded. “The doctor says she can. The high fever she had last

night was very sudden, so she’ll probably have to be on a drip all day today.

Her voice was filled with heartache.

Madelyn looked at the wounds on Serena’s head where she had been pricked by needles. Some of the more severe areas were bruised.

Not an inch of her hands had been spared either. There were in ries from drawing blood as well as getting drips. There was now even an indwelling

needle on her forehead.

“Shall we eat first?” Madelyn asked softly as she gave Serena a gentle look.

Serena nodded obediently. “Okay.”

Melinda came forward. “I’ll do it. She had to have emergency care last night, and I’m afraid that she’ll vomit up what she eats later.”

“It’s alright. I’ll do it.” Madelyn did not show any disdain despite hearing that Serena might throw up. She only felt her heart ache for Serena.

She was such a small child, but she was forced to endure such a severe illness. Not only that, she was so obedient and considerate that she never

cried or threw tantrums.

She glanced at the exhausted–looking Melinda. “You should go and have breakfast. Why don’t we hire a caretaker? Things will be easier for you.”

“No, it’s alright.” Melinda felt her heart ache at the mere mention of hiring a caretaker. She could not afford it at all. In fact, she had even accepted a job as a caretaker here.

Madelyn had already helped them so much that Melinda did not want her to have to keep spending money on other things.

Madelyn was worried about her health. “Will you be able to do it?”

“Yes, I can.” Melinda nodded.

Before Madelyn came along, she had been worrying constantly about how to pay for Serena’s medical fees. Madelyn’s arrival had given her a chance. to breathe easier, and it was already a huge relief to her.

As Melinda had predicted, Serena ate the food but ended up throwing it all

up

Madelyn had seen the child being wheeled into the emergency operating. room, and she had also seen Melinda carrying her and pleading with the doctors. But it was only at that moment that she truly realized how bad. Serena’s condition was.

Melinda hastily cleaned up, afraid that it would stain Madelyn’s clothes, but they still ended up getting stained. Madelyn didn’t mind, though.

Melinda looked anxious. “What should we do? You have to go to work

soon.”

Grabbing her hand, Madelyn said, “Alright, just stop. I’ll get someone to deliver some clothes to the office.”

Melinda felt like crying again.

Madelyn had always thought that she was the type of person who cried. easily, and she was surprised to find that the tough–looking Melinda cried even more easily than she did.

Just then, Serena’s soft little hand patted the stain on Madelyn’s clothes. ” I’m sorry, Mommy. I made it dirty.”

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