Andrea suddenly clenched her fists, a flash of irritation and unease flitting across her eyes.
"Ha, jealous of you? Lizetta, I heard you were diagnosed with postpartum depression, but to me, it looks more like you're just being delusional," Andrea retorted with a mocking sneer, yet her palms were sweating.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTruth be told, ever since Mrs. Bernice Madden mistook Lizetta for her mother Elsa, Andrea had been feeling uneasy. All her life, she'd heard whispers about how she didn't quite resemble the Maddens. Elsa, her mother, had passed away when Andrea was just over three, and five years later, her father Conrad remarried, bringing Eartha Madden into their lives as her stepmother. With Mrs. Bernice's dementia worsening, Elsa's old photos had long been packed away.
A couple of days ago, Andrea had the mansion's staff send her an old photo of Elsa, dancing amidst a sea of flowers. Her smile was radiant, stunningly beautiful, and her posture and aura bore an uncanny resemblance to Lizetta's. Lizetta's mysterious origins only fueled Andrea's growing unrest.
That's why she had been so impatient today, coming to the hospital hoping Lizetta would stay away from the Maddens. But Lizetta was unfazed, her face annoyingly smug.
Tapping her chin, Lizetta smirked, "Delusional, huh? Maybe, but letindulge in my delusions a bit more. Mrs. Bernice mistookfor her daughter but doesn't recognize you, her own granddaughter. Seems like Ms. Madden doesn't look much like your mom, right? You know, seeing Grandpa Nelson and Mrs. Bernice felt incredibly familiar, like long-lost relatives. Given my parents are nowhere to be found, maybe I'm the real Ms. Madden, and you..." "Shut up!" Andrea interrupted sharply before Lizetta could finish. But Lizetta was merely provoking Andrea, not truly suspecting anything. Yet, Andrea's strong reaction made Lizetta frown slightly, sensing something odd. Andrea glared at Lizetta with disdain, scoffing, "You're not delusional, you're outright insane! Thinking you could replace meMs. Madden? Please, I knew it, you were always scheming to get close to my grandparents!" Before Lizetta could respond, the door swung open, and a nurse rushed in, saying urgently, "Is anyone here to see Ms. Gardenia? An elderly lady in dark green clothing had an accident; you should check on her immediately." "That's my grandma! What happened to her? Where is she?" Andrea's face was filled with worry as she grabbed the nurse, heading out.
Lizetta, startled by the mention of Mrs. Bernice's accident, felt a surge of urgency. She threw off the blankets and hurried out as well.
Upon reaching the corridor, they saw a crowd near the water station, buzzing with chatter. "What happened?" "The old lady wasn't looking where
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmshe was going and bumped into someone carrying hot water.
om Thankfulty, a young patient nearby reacted quickly, pulling her away just in time, or the scalding water would have been all over her..."
Elbowing her way through, Lizetta saw a shattered enamel basin on thefloor, with steam st rising from the paddle. Mrs. Bernice Madden stood to the side, looking bewildered and frightened. And Andrea was there, berating Elva.
"How could you not take proper care of Grandma!"
"Miss, we couldn't find Wilson in the doctor's office. Thinking he might have gone on rounds, we started searching, leaving the lady to wait in the office. But then, she must have wandered off..." X