Chapter 144
“Joanna,” Nancy said, as she and Todd rose to greet the guests.
e
Joanna, keeping her cool, nodded to Alex’s parents while she led Ellie by one hand and Aaron by the other to stand in front of Carlos.
Alex and Ellie were only a few steps apart, and even though strong emotions were building up inside him, he held back from going to Ellie.
Since she entered, Ellie had kept her head down, quietly standing beside Joanna, not looking up or saying a word.
Alex felt a tightness in his throat, and his hands, hanging at his sides, turned into tight fists, making the veins in his hands stand out. He stared hard at Ellie, the swirling emotions in his gaze feeling like they might swallow him whole.
Joanna pulled out a card and placed it on the coffee table. Nancy quickly grabbed it back and pleaded, “Joanna, please don’t do this; it’s the Warren family that owes you.”
Todd turned to his son, saying, “You brat, apologize to Mrs. Thompson.”
Alex, choking with emotion, finally reacted. He cautiously stepped forward and stood before Joanna, ready to kneel, but Joanna gently pulled him back up.
“Mrs. Thompson.” Alex half–kneeled, looking up at Joanna, tears rolling down his cheeks. When he left that day, he had felt the kindness of Ellie’s parents; they had already forgiven him.
Joanna spoke calmly, “If you have something to say, just say it.” As she finished her sentence, Aaron lifted Alex back to his feet.
Carlos, watching the scene with a heavy expression, sighed deeply. “Joanna, Ellie has suffered; Harold’s sudden passing is something we owe you for -please take back that card.”
Seeing Joanna still standing still, Nancy cried as she stepped forward and pressed the card into Joanna’s hands. “Joanna, listen to me; I failed to raise my son properly, causing Ellie so much suffering and leading to Harold’s sudden death.
“It’s the Warren family that owes you. We will make sure Ellie gets the best medical care–we will take full responsibility.”
Joanna gently patted Nancy’s hand before letting it go. She looked at the others and finally focused on Carlos.
With a calm voice, Joanna said, “Carlos, thank you for your help back then, which allowed my children to go to school. The death benefit still has about 450 thousand left. This money will be used to repay you.”
“Mrs. Thompson!” Alex’s voice broke, filled with despair. His chest heaved as if his heart had been ripped open, making it hard to breathe.
Desperately trying to suppress the pain inside, he said, “Mrs. Thompson, I was wrong. I beg you for another chance.”
Joanna looked at Alex with a calm composure. “Ellie did nothing wrong in trying to save you; the injury she got from the injection is not your fault. Harold’s death was not your intention; we cannot blame you, nor do you need to apologize.”
Turning to Alex’s parents, she bowed, “Though I may not be well–educated, I understand the importance of gratitude. Your family raised my daughter and paid for my two children’s education; I am thankful for that.”
“Joanna!” Nancy, overcome with tears, could only cry. Todd stood in awkward silence, unable to face the moment. Meanwhile, Carlos sat in his seat, his face dark.
Joanna insisted, “The money is for the Warren family. Alex, do not ask my son and daughter for money. Aaron and Ellie, listen–do not use the excuse of saving Alex or your father’s death to hold anything against the Warren family.
“From now on, our two families shall owe nothing to each other.” With that, Joanna placed the card back on the coffee table.
Alex’s red eyes overflowed with tears as he looked at Aaron. Aaron replied, “Mom, I will do as you say.”
Joanna then pulled Ellie closer. “Ellie, gather your things; it is time for us to go home.”
Ellie held back her tears, her eyes red as she nodded emphatically. “Mom, I will do as you say.”
Ellie walked toward the stairs. Her good intentions in saving a life led to her dad’s loss of a leg and Harold’s life becoming one of suffering until the
end.
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4:06 PM
Chapter 144
For seven long years, she had secretly loved the very person she saved, giving up her dreams of motherhood for a life that had cruelly twisted her fate.
She didn’t know how to face her father’s death or live with what had happened. The weight of it all left her heartbroken.
Alex, watching Ellie turn away, felt like his heart was about to break. He stepped forward and grabbed her wrist desperately, his eyes filled with pain as he begged in a humble tone, “Ellie, don’t go.”
Ellie, keeping her gaze down, refused to acknowledge the suffering on Alex’s face. She pulled her hand free and headed up the stairs. Alex tried to follow but was stopped by Aaron on the staircase.
Aaron looked at Alex coldly. “She’s been with your family for many years. You had plenty of chances to keep her here, yet you didn’t.”
Aaron’s harsh words were clear to everyone; Alex knew it well. Whether it was Ellie’s struggle to have children or Harold’s lost leg leading their family to hardship, they couldn’t hold the moral high ground against Alex.
Even though Harold’s death was sparked by Haley, the malice that led to Haley’s actions was caused by Alex. Though Alex was not the direct cause, he was far from innocent. Joanna might not have known many truths, but Aaron did.
For Haley’s sake, Alex had caused deep harm to his only sister, inflicting painful wounds.
Even though Aaron had never questioned Ellie, he had seen her silent struggles; Alex’s actions repeatedly hurt her, even making fun of his own parents–this was his true sin, unforgivable.
With Ellie upstairs packing her things, silence fell over the living room. The heavy stillness made the large room feel stifling. Only the sound of Nancy’s quiet sobs broke the silence.
Evan offered to carry Ellie’s suitcase down, but Alex grabbed it away from him. Ellie came down quietly and stood before Alex, reaching for her luggage.
Holding tightly to the suitcase handle, Alex’s red, pained eyes met Ellie’s pale face. In a choked whisper, he pleaded, “Ellie, don’t go.”
Aaron grabbed Alex’s wrist, forcefully took the suitcase back, and asked, “Do you need to open it and check if we’ve stolen anything from you?”
Alex’s strength crumbled under Aaron’s words; he swayed unsteadily, mouth open, but no more words came out. Minutes later, Joanna, holding Ellie’s hand with Aaron by her side, left the Warren Manor.
Alex stood at the staircase, watching his parents run after them, continually apologizing and begging them to stay. He saw Ellie, who walked determinedly without looking back. Alex felt like his heart was hollowed out, collapsing weakly on the staircase.
