Jessica was out of breath from crying. "Last night, Sierra suddenly began to feel unwell and didn't have the appetite for anything. I was worried about her, so I took her to the hospital for a check-up. The results showed that she has congenital heart disease!"
"What?" Amelia was taken aback. Then, she uttered regretfully, "She's still so young..."
"Yea, she's still so young!" cried out Jessica in sorrow. "Amelia, I finally understand the meaning behind what you said to me in the store back then. You weren't being cold-blooded, you were just too reasonable. If only I had listened to you and didn't adopt her, I wouldn't be in so much pain today!"
Do you know that I have long developed an attachment to her ever since I adopted her? Now that I know she has this disease, I'm willing to spend on her treatment, but I'm just afraid if accident happens to her during the operation... What should I do then?"
Amelia consoled her, "Since we can't change what had happened, we'd better think on the bright side. Oh right, did the doctor mention anything else, other than Sierra's congenital heart disease?"
Jessica nodded listlessly. "He said a load of things that I couldn't understand. When I finally lost my patience, I asked him straight about the chances of curing her disease. He said that it's uncommon to see the kind of heart disease that Sierra has. The probability of curing it is low, only about a twenty percent chance!"
"It's better to have a twenty percent chance than no chance at all. You know what, when my dad had a stroke, I asked the doctor when he could be cured. The doctor couldn't even give me an answer. Unless a miracle happens, I think my dad will stay that way for the rest of his life..."
Amelia was particularly reluctant to talk about it when this first happened. But as time went by, she became more open-minded about it.
Regardless of whether her father could stand on his feet, move his lips to speak, or return to normal again, as long as he could see, hear, and feel, he was already 'living', by her definition.
Listening to Amelia talking about her father, Jessica said embarrassedly, "I'm so sorry, Amelia. I've heard about what's happening for you. You're having a hard time now, and yet I'm venting to you when I can't even help you."
Amelia shook her head and assured her, "It's okay. I'm Sierra's aunt after all, I'm also worried when something happens to her."
Jessica sighed softly, then asked, "Amelia, do you think... This is karma?"
Amelia was startled. "What did you say?"
Jessica turned her gaze to the dusky sky. There was a hint of despair in her voice as she explained, "I drove my mother out of Northville, and then something happened to my daughter. Tell me, is this my retribution?"
Amelia raised her hand and patted Jessica on the shoulder, sighing, "You think too much. There's no such thing."
"There's karma for every evil and good deeds. It's me they're talking about..." Jessica murmured absentmindedly.
Amelia felt a tug in her heart and shouted into Jessica's ear, "Are you possessed? Wake up!"
Jessica did not hide away from Amelia. As she allowed Amelia's roar to echo in her ears, her lips lifted into a bitter smile. "The karma doesn't come as a surprise at all, as I've done too many things that I'm guilty of. But I hate it, why can't I suffer my own consequences? The child has done nothing to deserve this!"
To which Amelia replied, "When Sierra was left in your store by her parents, I've guessed that she was abandoned probably because she suffers from some form of congenital diseases. In other words, whether she met you or not, her illness is predetermined."
"Alas, this is karma..." Jessica's eyes were still swirling in anguish, completely immersed in her own bubble.
Amelia could not bear to see Jessica surrendering herself to misery. "Fine, even if Sierra's illness is your retribution, have you ever thought about helping her through this hurdle? Once her illness is treated, doesn't it also mean your sins are forgiven by God?"
At Land of Fragrance.
Fluxton drifted over to Amelia in silence the moment Amelia stepped foot into the house. She asked in a drained voice, "Is sir at home?"
"Sir went out in the afternoon and hasn't come back yet."
"Oh, I see."
"Again?" thought Amelia and frowned. Why was Patrick so busy during the weekend?
The next second, Fluxton asked in an extremely serious tone, "Madam, did Jonathan mention someone to you when you were at the company today?"
Amelia looked at him strangely in surprise. He had never asked about affairs with her company.
Regardless, she still replied, "Uncle Tucker
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