Chapter 298 For a long time

Agnes sat by the bedside, silently keeping the elderly woman company for a long time.

It wasn’t until Miranda came in to urge her to leave that she reluctantly got up.

Once outside the ward, Agnes couldn’t help but confront Miranda. “Sister-in-law, didn’t you tell me that you’ve been taking excellent care of Alana and Grandma all these years, feeding them well and treating Grandma to the best? Why does she look so malnourished?”

Miranda felt guilty. “Oh, come on. Look at all the bumps and bruises the old lady has picked up lately, one arm, one head. She’s even had two surgeries. Even the healthiest person couldn’t withstand that kind of ordeal, let alone an elderly woman in her seventies or eighties. If you ask me, I think she’ll be back to normal in a few more months.”

Agnes thought to herself, That explanation seems reasonable.

Given the surgeries she’d undergone recently, the woman’s physical condition was bound to be much weaker than usual.

But she still had her doubts.

“Sister-in-law, you said she broke her arm last time while working in the fields. I don’t understand, I give her 100,000 dollars every month. Isn’t that enough to cover her daily expenses? Why does she still need to work in the fields?”

Miranda gave an awkward smile, thinking to herself, That’s because she never actually gave the 100,000 dollars to the old lady in the first place.

But she certainly couldn’t admit that.

“Oh, that’s just how the older generation is, they love to tough it out. She’s used to being frugal and hardworking; she feels uncomfortable if she doesn’t work in the fields every day.”

Agnes felt a pang of unease. “Once she’s fully recovered, you’d better keep a close eye on her and make sure she doesn’t go out to work in the fields again. Her body can’t take even the slightest bump or bruise anymore.”

Miranda nodded. “I understand. I don’t need you to tell me, I know exactly what to do.”

Hearing this, Agnes said gratefully, “Thank you so much for everything, Sister-in-law. All these years, I really can’t thank you enough. You’ve helped me so much.”

Miranda smiled and, putting on a brave face, replied, “Don’t be so formal...we’re all family.”

She paused for a moment. “But my mother-in-law needs to be hospitalized for a while, and that’s going to cost a lot. You know, maybe you could...”

Miranda winked at Agnes, her gaze sending a very obvious hint.

Agnes didn’t hesitate for long. “I’ll cover all of Mother’s medical expenses.”

After all, she hadn’t contributed any labor, so chipping in some money was the least she could do.

Upon hearing this, Miranda’s face instantly broke into a wide smile.

Sure enough, with Agnes as her cash cow, she didn’t have to worry about paying the medical bills.

Not only did she not have to worry, but she could also make a tidy profit in the process.

Agnes, of course, had no idea what Miranda was thinking. She never could have imagined that Miranda had been scheming against her for all these years.

“By the way, Sister-in-law, I’d like to ask you something.”

Miranda, basking in the joy of making money, spoke to Agnes in a naturally gentle tone, full of patience.

“Sis, what is it?”

“I saw my daughter, Alana, today. She’s back, and she was with a young man. Is that man...”

Agnes hesitated for a moment. “Is he her boyfriend?”

At the mention of Alana and her boyfriend, Miranda’s expression instantly darkened. “Yes, he is her boyfriend.”

“But your daughter is such an ungrateful fellow. For the sake of that boyfriend, she’s actually turned against our whole family. It’s a total waste of all the care and effort we’ve put into raising her all these years!”

Agnes’ expression shifted. “How could that be...Isn’t the man she’s dating a good guy?”

Miranda said shamelessly, “How could he be any good? Not only is that man good-for-nothing, but he’s also incredibly scheming. The moment he showed up, he started sowing discord within our family. Your daughter has been corrupted by him, she’s completely on his side instead of ours, turning her back on her own family. She’s truly heartless and ungrateful!”

Listening to this, Agnes couldn’t help but feel embarrassed and guilty. “How could this have happened...”

She truly never imagined her daughter would turn against her own family for the sake of a man.

Miranda snorted coldly. “How could it not be like this? Alana grew up without parents to guide her, so she went off the rails. Her whole mindset is warped!”

“These days, Alana only wants to be close to men outside the family, not her own relatives. If we say a few words to her, she’ll even fight with us!”

Agnes’ heart ached unbearably. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault...”

It was her fault for abandoning Alana all those years ago. That’s why she hadn’t raised her properly, and that’s why she’d turned out this way...

“Sis-in-law, please try to talk some sense into her. Don’t let her keep seeing that man.”

“How can I talk to her? She’s got a terrible temper these days, she won’t listen to anyone. Anyway, your daughter is completely beyond help, she’s a total failure! She’s a complete and utter good-for-nothing!”

Miranda’s two consecutive blows made Agnes’ face grow paler and paler, until she could barely stand.

Her mind was filled with Miranda’s words:

“Your daughter is completely beyond help, she’s a total failure! A complete and utter good-for-nothing!”

Her heart was filled with unbearable pain and regret.

If only she hadn’t abandoned Alana back then and had kept her by her side, the outcome might have been different.

Alas, there are no “ifs”...

Seeing Alana in such a dazed and confused state, Miranda felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

Why should Agnes, that woman, be living so comfortably after running away from home all these years?

She was doing this just to spite Agnes!

After all, the frustration she’d endured from Alana today had to be taken out on Alana’s mother.

Agnes left the hospital, her spirit broken.

She walked alone down the street, aimlessly.

A desolate wind swept past her in gusts, sending waves of chill from the top of her head to the soles of her feet.

Suddenly, she didn’t know where to go or what to do. Nor did she know if the choice she had made back then was the right one.

For the sake of her own happiness, she had ruthlessly abandoned her daughter.

But no matter how heartless she was, she couldn’t completely sever her feelings for her daughter.

No matter what, she was still Alana’s biological mother.

What biological mother doesn’t want her daughter to live a good life, filled with joy and happiness?

But if she hadn’t left back then, how could a woman with a young daughter have made a life for herself?

She had no choice.

Leaving her daughter behind was a selfish act, driven by the desire to create a more comfortable life for her, rather than continuing to endure hardship together.

She believes her choice was the right one.

Although her choice wasn’t wrong, that doesn’t mean she truly made no mistakes.

Can the years she missed out on spending with her daughter, and the years of raising and educating her, really be made up for by simply admitting she was wrong?

So, what should she do now?

Should she choose to let things slide and leave Alana to fend for herself? Or should she find a way to reunite with Alana and make amends?

Agnes hesitated and wrestled with her decision for a long time before finally deciding to call Henry.

Henry asked first, “How’s the old lady doing?”

Agnes whispered, “She is out of the danger zone now.”

Henry said, “Since she’s out of the danger zone, that means she’s all right now. Come back right away, our son has been begging you to spend time with him every day.”

Agnes bit her lip. “Henry, I’m back home. I saw my daughter, Alana.”

Henry paused for three seconds before asking calmly, “And then?”

Agnes gathered her courage and said, “I want to reveal my identity to her.”

Henry’s tone turned icy. “And once you’ve acknowledged her, you’ll bring her back to

the Gordon family?”

“Agnes, don’t forget what you promised me.”

Agnes clenched her teeth, her breathing slightly unsteady. “But so many years have passed. Seeing her all alone, I just can’t bear it...”

Henry said, “No matter how much it pains you, since you’ve already promised me to cut all ties, don’t look back.”