Cordelia felt her heart leap into her throat.
[Authorâs note: Leila will definitely be dealt with. Donât worry, though, this is just the tip of the iceberg for her, her downfall is imminent.]
Cordelia knocked again, her persistence rewarded only by silence.
knocked this time causing Lorna and Sanderson to emerge from their room surprised to find . âWhatâs up?â Lorna asked.
Cordelia gestured towards the door, âNo oneâs answering.â
Sanderson glanced at Lorna, âSpare key.â
Iâll get it. Hang tight, Lia.â Lorna said, sprinting towards the study.
She returned with the key and handed it to Sanderson, who motioned for Lorna and Cordelia to stand back as he unlocked the door.
F
room was pitch black, save for the moonlight spilling through the open window stirring the curtains. The sound of running water came from the bathroom, where frosted glass diffused a dim light.
Sanderson paused, hearing the water.
Cordelia moved forward, but Lorna grabbed her hand, stepping in front of her. She called out gently before flinging the bathroom door open.
âMerry?â Lorna gasped.
Cordelia rushed in to find Merry collapsed on the floor, unconscious.
They called 911, and in the dead of night, the family headed to the hospital.
After some tests, the doctor said, âSheâs had a shock. Lucky you found her when you did, or it mightâve been fatal.â
âHow could she go into shock?â Lorna asked.
The doctor shook his head, âWeâre not sure. All her tests are clear. Has she been under any psychological stress lately?â
Psychological stress? Cordelia remembered the running water and realized something, âLittle Parrot has a fear
of water.â
The doctor was perplexed, but Lorna and Sanderson understood immediately, their hearts heavy with
unspoken sorrow.
The Jordan family was in disarray.
Leila had been distracted while doing her homework, one hand nursing the cheek sheâd been slapped earlier.
Paulina, realizing her mistake, had applied ice to Leilaâs face.
And now, as Paulina had left to fetch her a cup of warm milk, Leila wondered why she hadnât returned yet.
After waiting another two minutes, she heard footsteps outside.
Leila stepped out to see Paulina and Cain hurrying downstairs.
âWhere are you guys going?â Leila asked.
off to check on Merry. Sheâs fainted,â Paulina called back.
Once they left, Leilaâs expression darkened. She went downstairs and saw the milk on the table still cold.
nanny offered to warm it up, but Leila declined with a scowl.
After the nanny retreated, Leila dumped the milk in the sink, gripping the glass with a fierce glare, âSo visiting Merry the hospital is more important than my warm milk?â
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Leila stormed her anger palpable, leaving the nanny unsettled.
That night, Leilaâs was restless, haunted by a nightmare where she and Merry were both children, reaching out for Paulinaâs embrace, but Paulina chose Merry.
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Leila woke with a start. No, she must be the one loved, the only one.
Merry woke up physically unscathed, her troubles more mental than anything. Once discharged, she for the trouble sheâd caused.
Lorna and Sanderson were understanding, but Cordelia suggested, âLetâs get Louie over here tomorrow.â
He was a whiz at dealing with psychological issues and could surely help Merry.
Lorna and Sanderson agreed.
On the way home, long past midnight, Cordelia messaged Louie, who surprisingly responded right away, âIâll be there the day after tomorrow, first thing.â
âYouâre still up, Louie?â Cordelia inquired.
âI was sleeping.â replied Louie.
âSorry if I woke you.â
âDonât apologize to me. Goodnight.â
âGoodnight.â
After ending the chat, Cordelia noticed a message from a gamer friend Jungler, asking if she was up for a game. Not wanting to disturb anyone else, she chose not to reply.
They were just people they knew on the internet, not even friends.
Not wanting to leave Merry alone, Cordelia invited her to share a room. Lying in Cordeliaâs bed, Merry found comfort in Cordeliaâs steady breathing and the light scent of her body wash, and she drifted to sleep.
Feeling refreshed the next day, Merry decided to accompany Cordelia to school.
Lorna and Sanderson were hesitant, given Merryâs fragile state, but Mathilda encouraged her. âGo with Lia. And remember, whatever happens, take care of yourself.â
Merry promised she wouldnât do anything foolish.
As the girls arrived at school, their peers were curious, âMerry, didnât you transfer? What brings you back?â
Meredith shot back with her usual sass, âWhy donât you just manage heaven and earth while youâre at it with all your meddling?â
The other person was silenced.
But after that ordeal, it seemed like Merry had an epiphany. She actually started to pay attention during lectures.
During the break, she wanted to use the restroom, but seeing Cordelia engrossed in her book, she didnât call to her.
asMerry reached the restroom, she bumped into Leila on her way out.
hadnât planned on leaving, but catching a glimpse of Merry walking past the classroom door reminded her of her parentsâ absentmindedness that morning. On a whim, she grabbed her cup to go fill it with water.
As fate would have it, ran into each other again Merryâs way back. Leila swished the water her cup and offered it, âHey, Merry, need a drink?
The sight of water made Merryâs head spin, nausea creeping up on her.
Chapter 164
She shook her head, wanting return to the classroom, but Leila blocked path, âDad and Mom said youâv been through something rough, me to keep an eye on . Here, drink up.
That suffocating feeling was closing in on Merry again. Just as she was about to be overwhelmed, an angry voice cut through, âLeila, what on earth are you doing?.â