called her out.
Even more ridiculously, they doted on Cassandra as if she were a princess.
“Cassandra, don’t bother with these chores.” Dominic stopped Cassandra as she reached for the tea set, his long fingers gently pressing on her wrist. “Your hands are meant for playing the piano.”
“Auntie Cassie, I’ll get your bag!” Leo eagerly took Cassandra’s limited-edition handbag, an obsequious look on his face Elara had never seen directed at herself.
“Ms. Sterling simply needs to rest,” Mrs. Gable respectfully offered a pair of Italian handmade slippers. “Leave everything else to us.”
How ironic.
She had been a housekeeper in this home for six years, and they hadn’t noticed.
But Cassandra, upon arrival, became the center of their world, a princess adored by all.
The housekeepers, too, whispered amongst themselves.
“Mr. Thorne is so good to Ms. Sterling. I’ve never seen him treat the Mrs. like this.”
“The children are so attached to her. I think, this house will have a new mistress sooner or later!”
Elara was already heartbroken and indifferent, managing nothing, simply packing her own belongings in silence.
Until that afternoon, her phone suddenly vibrated wildly.
“Mrs. Hayes! The young master and young lady had an allergic reaction at school! The ambulance just took them to the hospital!”
When Elara arrived at the hospital, both children had already been rushed into the emergency room.
Dominic stood in the hallway, his suit jacket casually draped over his arm, his tie loose around his neck, his eyes burning with cold fury.
“Elara.” His voice was low, filled with suppressed anger. “What exactly have you been doing?”
Elara froze. “What?”
:46 pm
D
“They’re allergic to mango, didn’t you know?” Dominic stepped closer, his tall figure looming over her. “Why did you let them drink mango juice?”
“It wasn’t me!” Elara met his gaze. “I never buy mangoes for the house.”
Ever since the children were first hospitalized for mango allergy, she had been extremely careful,
epeatedly cautioning everyone not to give them mangoes, even personally reviewing the school cafeteria menu. How could she possibly make such a basic mistake?
“Not you?” Dominic sneered. “Then who? The housekeepers? Or did they try to kill themselves?”
Elara opened her mouth, about to speak, when a nurse pushed open the door. “The children are
wake.”
Inside the ward, Leo and Mia lay pale on their hospital beds. Seeing them enter, their eyes flickered.
“What happened?” Dominic asked in a low voice.
The two children exchanged a glance, then suddenly pointed at Elara. “It was Mommy! She bought snacks with mango in them!”
Elara froze, looking at them in disbelief. “What are you saying?”
“It was Mommy!” Mia cried, her voice choked with tears. “She knew we were allergic, but she still deliberately fed it to us!”
Leo nodded emphatically. “She’s so mean!”
Elara’s fingers gripped the doorframe tightly, her knuckles white. “Leo, Mia, do you know what you’re saying? You’d better tell the truth right now!”
“Enough!” Dominic abruptly stood up, grabbing her wrist, his grip so strong it felt like he was about to crush her bones. “Elara, is this how you mother? Not only harming them, but forcing them to lie?”
“I didn’t…” Elara’s voice trembled slightly.
“Are
you trying to say they’re framing you?” He scoffed. “How old are they? If they can’t even take responsibility for that, do you deserve to be a mother?”
The two children suddenly burst into tears. Dominic immediately released her and turned to comfort
them.
3:46 pm &
