Chapter 164

Cordelia felt her heart leap into her throat.

[Author’s note: Leila will definitely be dealt with. Don’t worry, though, this is just the tip of the icebergfor her, her downfall is imminent.]

Cordelia knocked again, her persistence rewarded only by silence.

She knocked harder this time, causing Lorna and Sanderson to emerge from their room, surprisedto find her there. “What’s up?” Lorna asked.

Cordelia gestured towards the door, “No one’s answering.”

Sanderson glanced at Lorna, “Spare key.”

“I’ll get it. Hang tight, Lia.” Lorna said, sprinting towards the study.

She returned with the key and handed it to Sanderson, who motioned for Lorna and Cordelia tostand back as he unlocked the door.

F The room was pitch black, save for the moonlight spilling through the open window, stirring thecurtains. The sound of running water came from the bathroom, where frosted glass diffused a dimlight.

Sanderson paused, hearing the water.

Cordelia moved forward, but Lorna grabbed her hand, stepping in front of her. She called out gentlybefore flinging the bathroom door open.

“Merry?” 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, “She’s had a shock. Lucky you found her when you did, or itmight’ve been fatal.”

“How could she go into shock?” Lorna asked.

The doctor shook his head, “We’re not sure. All her tests are clear. Has she been under anypsychological stress lately?”

Psychological stress? Cordelia remembered the running water and realized something, “Little Parrothas a fear of water.”

The doctor was perplexed, but Lorna and Sanderson understood immediately, their hearts heavywith unspoken sorrow.

The Jordan family was in disarray.

Leila had been distracted while doing her homework, one hand nursing the cheek she’d beenslapped earlier.

Paulina, realizing her mistake, had applied ice to Leila’s face.

And now, as Paulina had left to fetch her a cup of warm milk, Leila wondered why she hadn’treturned yet.

After waiting another two minutes, she heard footsteps outside.

Leila stepped out to see Paulina and Cain hurrying downstairs.

“Where are you guys going?” Leila asked.

“We’re off to check on Merry. She’s fainted,” Paulina called back.

Once they left, Leila’s expression darkened. She went downstairs and saw the milk on the table, stillcold.

The 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,“So visiting Merry at the hospital is more important than my warm milk?”

11:40 @

LET 104 Leila stormed upstairs, her anger palpable, leaving the nanny unsettled.

That night, Leila’s sleep was restless, haunted by a nightmare where she and Merry were bothchildren, reaching out for Paulina’s embrace, but Paulina chose Merry.

9 70 9 28 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 apologized for the trouble she’d caused.

Lorna and Sanderson were understanding, but Cordelia suggested, “Let’s get Louie over heretomorrow.”

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 rightaway, “I’ll be there the day after tomorrow, first thing.”

“You’re still up, Louie?” Cordelia inquired.

“I was sleeping.” replied Louie.

“Sorry if I woke you.”

“Don’t apologize to me. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

After ending the chat, Cordelia noticed a message from a gamer friend Jungler, asking if she wasup 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 Cordelia’s bed,Merry found comfort in Cordelia’s 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 Merry’s fragile state, but Mathilda encouraged her. “Gowith Lia. And remember, whatever happens, take care of yourself.”

Merry promised she wouldn’t do anything foolish.

As the girls arrived at school, their peers were curious, “Merry, didn’t you transfer? What brings youback?”

Meredith shot back with her usual sass, “Why don’t you just manage heaven and earth while you’reat it with all your meddling?”

The other person was silenced.

But after that ordeal, it seemed like Merry had an epiphany. She actually started to pay attentionduring lectures.

During the break, she wanted to use the restroom, but seeing Cordelia engrossed in her book, shedidn’t call out to her.

Just asMerry reached the restroom, she bumped into Leila on her way out.

Leila hadn’t planned on leaving, but catching a glimpse of Merry walking past the classroom doorreminded her of her parents‘ absentmindedness that morning. On a whim, she grabbed her cup togo fill it with water.

As fate would have it, they ran into each other again on Merry’s way back. Leila swished the waterin her cup and offered it, “Hey, Merry, need a drink?” The sight of water made Merry’s head spin, nausea creeping up on her.

She shook her head, wanting to return to the classroom, but Leila blocked her path, “Dad and Momsaid you’v been through something rough, told me to keep an eye on you. 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, “Leila, what on earth are you doing?.”