Chapter 11
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your head on might now, right?” he asked
Woks met Leonard’s gaze, has eyes drawn to the redness around his eyes and the strands of gray in his hair. A pang of worrow stick her heart, and he can eye walled up with emotien
Shy nodded. Tad, I’m so sorry. I bet I’ve been a lot to worry about all these years, haven’t I?
Reflecting on her past life, she thought of how foolish she had been, and how she’d stood by powerless as her brothers and father were taken from her, not seeing that the ones who’d done it were right there beside her–people she’d considered family
This time around, she was resolved to shield her family from harm. “I swear, from here on out, I’ll be there for you, making sure you’re safe and happy for the rest of our lives.”
Leonard peered into Winona’s clear eyes, hearing the sense in her words, and finally allowed himself to believe that she was truly back in her right mind.
His hands shook as he held Winona’s tightly, his voice quivering with emotion. “It’s I who failed you, sweetheart. I let you down, and you’ve been lost for years. You have no need to apologize to me; it’s I who should be begging your forgiveness…”
Morgan, initially flustered, quickly composed herself and approached Leonard and Winona. Seeing their interaction, she realized Winona had indeed regained her wits,
She rushed to Winona’s side, took her other hand, and said with a beaming smile, “Winona, you really are back to your old self. That’s just amazing!”
She spoke with a warm tone. “Felicia and I, we’ve been going to New Beginnings Church every month for years. We’ve been praying non–stop, hoping for a miracle to bring you back to us.”
As tears streamed down her face, she looked at Winona with sincerity. “Thank God our prayers have been answered and you’re with us again. Tomorrow, I’m taking Felicia back to New Beginnings Church to express our gratitude and thank the divine for this wonderful gift.”
Winona rolled her eyes inwardly. ‘Morgan sure knows how to spin a story, she thought to herself, ‘shamelessly taking credit for my recovery.
Despite her inner resentment, Winona masked it with a grateful expression as she addressed Morgan. “Aunt Morgan, I’ve heard that the church’s staircase has 999 steps, and those who are truly devoted kneel at each one, bowing in reverence.”
“Yes, that’s right,” Morgan replied readily, nodding with a pleased smile, clearly enjoying the trust and admiration she believed she saw in Winona’s eyes.
Winona interjected quickly. “Aunt Morgan, crawling up 999 steps on your knees? That’s an extreme thing to do! If you and Felicia attempt it, you’re bound to get injured. You two really shouldn’t.”
Morgan offered Winona a gentle smile, her relief palpable but well–hidden. “Winona, I’ve always considered you as my own daughter, and Felicia sees you as a sister. Doing something like this for you is a small gesture, nothing to be concerned
about.”
‘It seems Winona hasn’t started to doubt me yet, Morgan thought to herself. ‘I gotta keep her feeling grateful and reliant on Felicia and me, making it easier to maintain control over her.’
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Chapter #1
ellest tip web conerrn as she looked at Morgan,
ou’re honend to end up with h
earnear “Aunt Atorgart, that staircase has 990 rp knees Hms could I not worry!
She continued. “You and Felida are like family to me teartbeat the thought of you hurting yourselves for my sake.”
Margen gently parted Winona’s hand “Winona, it’s because Felix and t have been praying our hearts out that you’ve come back to us. If we don’t thank the heavens for this miracle, who kapws what might happen to your mind again!”
She spoke with a bom conviction. I can’t bear the thought of you losing your way again or seeing your dad fret over you non erop. Felicia and I are going to the church, and there’s no talling me out of it”
Morgan wasn’t actually planning on going through with the whole ordeal of climbing each step and bowing at New Begumings Church She intended to make a quick appearance and pretend she had done it.
But seeing Winona on the verge of tears, Morgan felt reassured Even if Winona’s intelligence had returned, she still seemed to be the same naive girl she had always been.
Winona caught a flicker of satisfaction in Morgan’s eyes. She quickly dropped her gaze, masking her own cool look with her lashes.
Her voice wavered slightly as she said, “Aunt Morgan, Felicia and you have been incredibly kind to me, I can’t thank you enough for all the prayers over the years.”
She paused for a moment before adding, “Tomorrow, I’ll join you and Felicia at New Beginnings Church. If you get tired or thirsty, I’ll be there to make sure you can rest and hydrate, to avoid any heatstroke.”
Winona was determined to keep a close watch on these heartless women, ensuring they performed every single bow, crawling up each of the 999 steps, giving them a taste of their own medicine.
Morgan felt as if she’d been hit by a bolt of lightning. If Winona came along, she and Felicia would actually have to crawl up all 999 steps on their knees.
It was the height of summer, with the June sun beating down mercilessly. The thought of kneeling or crawling under that blistering heat was enough to make anyone wince.
“I’ll be coming with you,” Leonard interjected. He’d had his reservations about Morgan, but after witnessing her apparent concern for Winona, he decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Winona’s recovery was still a delicate process, and he felt the need to be there for her. Additionally, he intended to gauge Felicia and Morgan’s sincerity. If their care for Winona was genuine, he would consider allowing Felicia to return to the Mosley residence.
After all, in Leonard’s eyes, Felicia was not just a medical and perfumery prodigy but also a talented fashion designer and a top–tier hacker.
Morgan’s face drained of color. If Leonard was coming along, she and Felicia would be forced to go through with the ordeal, unable to fake it.
Morgan was racking her brain, trying to think of a way to convince Leonard and Winona to change their minds. Just then, Winona spoke up. “Aunt Morgan, I’m thirsty. Could you get me some water?”
“Sure, just a moment,” Morgan replied, pasting on a smile as she turned to fetch the water. She had just placed it by Winona’s bedside when Leonard reached for it and gently assisted Winona in taking a sip.
Matthew felt a pang of isolation as he watched the intimate bond between Winona, Leonard, and Morgan, feeling like an outsider looking in.
It had always been him Winona would call on for help. But now, with her family rallying around her, it appeared she only had room in her eyes for them.
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Chapter 11
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He couldn’t help but think that in Winona’s eyes, he was just a servant, someone insignificant. Perhaps she didn’t care about him at all.
A mix of disappointment and complex emotions flickered in his cold gaze. With one last, lingering look at Winona, Matthew quietly slipped out of the room.
