Helen's POV:
During the afternoon, I checked on the real-time surveillance video again, noticing another woman in
the ward besides my mother.
Although it was her back facing the camera, I recognized in no time who she was.It was George's
mother.
At that moment, she stood in front of my mother's bed and said something that sent her into a state of
shock.
My mother's eyes filled with horror and she looked helpless.
My heart ached, so I hurried downstairs to get my car and drove to the hospital immediately.
On my way there, I kept calling the care workers and doctors, but no one answered.
When I heard the prompt alert from my phone, mixed emotions took over me, mostly anger and
anxiety.
How did she know my mother was in the psychiatric hospital? Did she go there to bother her? If
George's mother had any problem, she should have just taken it to me.
My mother had nothing to do with all of this and she shouldn't be involved.
Once I arrived, I rushed into the ward, but George's mother had already left.
On the other hand, my mother was alone in the room.She was gathering something from the ground.
When I approached, I realized the sweater she had been trying hard to knit was ripped apart, its wool
scattered all over.I couldn't bear to see her like this.
Kneeling down next to her, I squeezed her hand and asked, "Mom, are you okay?"
Her calm expression welcomed me when she raised her head.
"Don't visit me anymore.I'm fine living here."
She didn't mention anything about what had happened before I got here.
Tears welled up in my eyes.
Whatever George's mother had said clearly terrified her.
The coldness in her voice further confirmed my suspicions that she was distancing herself from me.I
snatched the yarn in her hand and pulled her to get out of her room.
"Mom, come home with me."
My conscience could never allow my mom to stay here.I lost confidence in this hospital as well.
George's mother setting foot here was the last straw.
They had once let Jane and Libby break in to disturb my mother, worsening her condition.
And now they were doing it again! It almost seemed like anyone could now break in and hurt my
mother now.
The caregiver had been hiding by the door, peering inside.She didn't dare to enter.
After all the favors I gave her in secret, she shamelessly assisted George's mother in infiltrating without
informing me.
Would she have kept it from me if I hadn't seen it from the security camera? I was seething in rage, but
I had to keep my composure.
All I wanted was to take my mother out of here.
Seeing that I tried to take my mom away, the care worker scooted forward and explained, "Miss Dewar,
we didn't mean to let the lady in.She barged in, and we couldn't stop her, not even the doctors."
I ignored her.
My mother would no longer be in their care from now on.So, I grabbed her wrist.She struggled to rid of
my hand and insisted, "I'm fine living here.I don't need to worry about food and everything.Plus, they
are taking care of me.You've been busy with work that you can't look after me all day, which means I'll
be home alone.I won't leave here."
To avoid causing any trouble for me, she had to be stubborn about this.I felt even worse.
"Mom, I need you by my side.Go back with me."
"Aren't you living with George? You don't need me anymore.You need him.I have taken care of you for
so long.Can't you just let me enjoy some time off here?"
Persuading her didn't seem to work.I countered, "It's alright.I'll move in with you then."
Anyway, I couldn't let her be on her own anymore.I'd be worried sick.I could tolerate George's mother
making my life difficult, but I would never allow her to hurt my mother.
My mother fell silent as if she was contemplating something.
After a while, she suddenly asked, "Did you know that George's mother was here?"
"Yes."
She sighed while picking up the ripped sweater to show it to me.
"She came here and ruined this sweater.The clothes you wore as a child inspired me to make this.I
intended to give it to your future baby.It must be nice when worn, I don't know if you will give birth to a
boy or a girl, so I planned to make both blue and pink ones.I'm useless.The only gift I could give my
future grandchildren is this.Tell that woman that what I have isn't hereditary, I swear.The doctor assured
me."
My heart was in shambles, like the torn sweater in my mother's hand.I had a hard time breathing.I
couldn't stop crying in pain and then said between sobs, "Mom, you don't have to listen to anything she
said.I will do my best to keep her away from you, don't worry."
She shook her head and looked at me in disapproval.
"Marriage is not only about two people.It concerns both of your families.I have always asked you to
forget about me for that reason.We do not belong in their class and I can totally understand why she's
rejecting you.She won't be able to do anything as long as you and George have children of your own."
I didn't want to argue with her.
She was talking from experience, after all.
My grandmother and her mother-in-law brought hardships upon her.She endured it all because she
loved my father, anything for the sake of a harmonious relationship with them.
Thinking about it now, I found her resilience to be ridiculous.
After all the sacrifices she made, my father cheated in return and my grandmother hated her even
more.
In the end, only my mother and I suffered.I learned from her lesson and so pleasing George's mother
had never crossed my mind.
If she couldn't accept my mother, I wouldn't have any business with her.
"Mom, I want nothing but the best for you.No matter how powerful their family is, they shouldn't harass
you like this.I will confront her later and tell her not to bother you again."
"Helen, it's our fault for hiding my condition from his family.It's only natural for her to be mad about
it.You should at least understand her feelings as a mother.If George suffers from what I have, I will stop
you from marrying him.I can only hope I am not a hindrance to your relationship."
My mother tried to sway me into being considerate of George's mother, saying nothing about the fact
that she was the one who got mistreated here.
"Please leave the hospital and stay with me at home," I begged.
"Let's talk about it later.I've been having recurring headaches, and I want the doctors to put me under
observation.You and George won't have the time to accommodate me at home.What if I have a
relapse? I'll be better off here," she reasoned.
I knew she said that on purpose, yet I didn’t know how to talk her out of it.She was determined to
remain here, regardless of my efforts.
After the hospital promised me again and again they would give my mother the utmost care and
security for protection, I left reluctantly.I'd been upset since I came home.How could I be in the mood
for a honeymoon now?
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