The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 124
“Yvonne, it’s time for your rest. Stop chatting with irrelevant people. Who knows what kind of scheme she has for getting close to you.”
Gloria was standing at the door, her gaze sweeping over Leilani with scrutiny and veiled rejection.
Yvonne pouted. “Mom, I haven’t finished talking to Leilani.”
Gloria frowned, her tone brooking no argument. “Look at your clothes. Go get changed first.”
Yvonne’s clothes were soaked with sweat from the rehab session. She glanced down, mumbled a reluctant “Oh,” and whispered to Leilani, “Leilani, wait for me. I’ll change and we can talk more!”
Leilani nodded, watching as the nurse wheeled her away.
The room was left with just her and Gloria now. The air stagnated for a moment.
Gloria stared at Leilani, her tone lukewarm. “Leilani, what are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you not to come to the hospital looking for Yvonne unless it’s important?”
Leilani’s expression didn’t change. “I came to see her. Yvonne’s legs are recovering well, but she hasn’t fully regained her memory yet.”
Gloria scoffed lightly. “Yes, at least there are no lasting side effects, otherwise…”
She didn’t finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear.
Leilani’s fingers tightened slightly, but she remained calm. “Mrs. Sherwood, if there’s nothing else, I’ll leave first. Since you don’t like seeing me here.”
“Wait.” As Leilani turned to go, Gloria suddenly called out to her.
Remembering the outburst Milford had earlier, Gloria felt conflicted. Yvonne was recovering, and no matter how much she didn’t want to admit it, she couldn’t hide Leilani’s contribution. Pursuing the matter of her hurting Yvonne in the past seemed pointless now.
“About what happened before… since Yvonne is getting better, I don’t want to pursue it anymore.” Gloria paused, then added, “Milford and Tamara’s marriage is set. You and Milford should make a clean break.”
Leilani twitched the corner of her mouth, her eyes cold. “Rest assured, I have no interest in Milford.”
Gloria stared at her for a few seconds, as if looking for a crack in her mask, before finally saying faintly, “I hope so.”
Just then, Yvonne returned after changing. Seeing the tense atmosphere, she immediately
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frowned. “Mom, what did you say to Leilani this time?”
Gloria frowned. “What could I say? Just casual conversation.”
Yvonne pouted, clearly not believing it, and went over to grab Leilani’s arm. “Leilani, let’s go for a walk in the garden!”
Gloria wanted to stop them, but Yvonne was already pulling Leilani along, making Leilani push her wheelchair out. Gloria had to let it go.
In the sanatorium garden, the sunlight was perfect. Yvonne sat in the wheelchair while Leilani pushed her.
Yvonne asked Leilani to stop in a shady spot and looked at her apologetically. “Leilani, don’t mind her. My mom… has a misunderstanding about you.”
Leilani shook her head. “It’s okay.”
Gloria had always misunderstood her and disliked her. She was used to it.
Yvonne regaining her memory gave Leilani hope of proving her innocence. Afterward, Leilani spent several days accompanying Yvonne during her rehab. Occasionally, she performed acupuncture on Yvonne to see if it would help her fully recall the events of that day.
One day, in the rehab room, Leilani was helping Yvonne with balance training.
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Olivia Harris
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.