Chapter 96

While William was talking to Reed at the university, Laila returned to her family home, which was not far from the mansion.

Many of the Hurnberg family’s servants live on the premises, but those who live nearby are allowed to go home.

“...I’m home.”

Laila is one of them. This place is not only her family home but also a small flower shop run by her family.

No one greeted her with a “welcome back.” The entrance was dim, and the air felt cold.

“Oh, you’re back...”

As Laila moved into the living room, a man lying face down on the table greeted her. His face was agitated, his eyes clouded, and his cheeks were pale from fatigue.

“I’m home, Dad. ...You’ve been drinking again...”

Laila, speaking with a voice filled with concern, carefully picked up each empty bottle. This scene had been repeating almost every night recently.

Each time, Laila’s heart ached a little more.

“I’m sorry, Laila.”

“Don’t worry about it. But drinking every day is bad for your health, so you should cut back...”

In response to Laila’s worried words, Lukaide said nothing. It seemed he had no intention of taking his daughter’s concerns to heart.

Laila knew all too well why her once bright and energetic father had become like this. She couldn’t bring herself to say anything more.

“How is Mom?”

“She’s not doing well...”

“I see... I’ll go check on her.”

Seeing Lukaide nod, Laila began to prepare. She gathered water, a damp towel, and some easy-to-eat snacks before heading upstairs.

The light in her hand flickered slightly, and Laila’s shadow swayed on the wall.

“Mom, I’m coming in.”

Laila slowly turned the doorknob and opened the door. The room was dimly lit, perhaps out of consideration for its occupant.

In the corner of the room, a woman was still awake in bed.

“Welcome back, Laila.”

Lying in the bed was Laila’s mother, Seras. The woman who was once known as “the most beautiful flower in the shop” had changed beyond recognition.

Her body was emaciated, her face lacked vitality, and her cheeks were sunken with dark circles under her eyes.

Red bruises were visible on Seras’s face and exposed skin, a sign of her illness.

“Cough... cough...”

Seras, happy to see her daughter, tried to sit up but soon began to cough painfully.

“Mom!”

Laila quickly placed the tray on the floor and rushed to Seras’s side.

She leaned close to Seras and gently stroked her small back. The weak sensation transmitted through her palm made Laila’s expression stiffen.

“Mom, are you okay? Here, I brought some water. Take it slowly...”

Laila fetched the water and gently brought it to Seras’s lips. Seeing her mother, who had become so weak, made Laila think of the happy days they used to have, which now seemed like a distant past.

“Thank you, Laila...”

Seras’s whisper was so quiet it seemed it might be carried away by the wind. Her hand reached out tentatively and took Laila’s.

The hand that held hers was so weak it seemed it might disappear at any moment. Just a month ago, Laila’s family, though poor, was a happy one.

The flower shop run by her parents was reasonably successful in the area, and they had many customers, mostly locals. However, the disease that had spread in the capital had reached their town, and Seras had collapsed just two weeks ago.

Despite seeing a doctor immediately, there was no effective medicine available, and they were told to rely on natural recovery. Thus, Seras was forced to live in bed.

At first, Lukaide tried to manage the shop, but as his beloved wife grew weaker day by day, he became mentally fragile and turned to alcohol.

Recently, the shop had been closed continuously, and they were now living on Laila’s meager salary.

“I’m sorry, Laila... I’m causing you so much trouble.”

“It’s okay, Mom. Don’t worry about it.”

Laila smiled to reassure her. No matter how hard it was, she didn’t want to worry her mother and never forgot to smile.

This was the support Laila could offer. Conversely, it was all she could do.

The frustration of being unable to do anything but hope for her recovery caused Laila a deep, tearing pain.

“Laila...”

“What is it, Mom?”

Seras’s voice was so weak it seemed it might disappear. Nevertheless, her gaze was fixed on Laila.

Her dim eyes were filled with agitation, but more than anything, they overflowed with love.

“If I... if I’m gone... please, find your own happiness...”

The moment those words reached Laila’s ears, her heart was violently shaken. Feeling her mother’s inner turmoil, Laila felt her strength drain from her body.

“No, don’t be so negative!”

Laila’s voice rose in denial of the unacceptable reality. She placed her hands on Seras’s shoulders and said,

“It will be okay. It will be okay, because I...”

Laila’s lips pressed tightly together.

“I’ll make it okay...”

Her words resonated in the room with a firm resolve.