"I know. The girl just came home, and you're filled with guilt. But you can't let a moment of guilt be the reason you send Isabella to the villa in the suburbs. If something happens to her after you send her away, won't you just feel guilty all over again? This guilt isn't good for either of your daughters."
Kiera was thinking about the situation entirely from her daughter's perspective.
For the past twenty years, her daughter had been wracked with guilt over losing her biological child.
Even with Isabella by her side, she hadn't slept a single peaceful night in two decades.
She didn't want her daughter to live the rest of her life trapped in guilt.
Catherine tried to explain urgently, "Dad, Mom, it's not like that... It has nothing to do with Serena. Isabella did something wrong..."
"What could she possibly have done that's so terrible you'd throw a sick child out of the house?" Holden cut her off. "Catherine, you know about my heart condition. Isabella is sick, and she needs to stay home and get well! If you two really can't stand having her around, just have her fly over to stay with us for a while once she's better!"
Catherine glanced at Isabella, then back at her parents on the screen. "Dad, Mom... it's really not what you think. I raised Isabella myself. Of course, I treat her like my own daughter..."
"What else is there to say?" Holden clutched his chest and coughed twice. "Catherine, you know what Isabella is like. She's always been so sweet and simple- minded, and you've both spoiled her. No matter what she did wrong, you shouldn't kick her out of the Lancaster family."
Being so far away, all the information they received had been filtered and distorted by Isabella.
This was especially true after their video call with Isabella that morning, where they saw her tear-streaked eyes and listened to Agnes adding fuel to the fire.
It made them feel incredibly sorry for Isabella.
Her carefully crafted image of an obedient girl was so deeply ingrained in their minds that they never once suspected she would lie to them.
Seeing her father's insistence, Catherine could only relent. "I understand: Dad Mom please don't get upset. You have to take care of yourselves. I'll let Isabella recover at home. I won't send her away l promise..."
"Good. Once Isabella feels a bit better, have her come visit us."
The call ended.
Serena was just coming downstairs and happened to hear Catherine's last sentence.
She raised an eyebrow, her gaze shifting to Isabella, who was wrapped in a blanket with an IV drip in her arm.
She had been delayed while getting ready by a call from Jaxon.
It seemed she had missed quite a show.
"Serena..."
Seeing Serena, Catherine
immediately stood up, her face full of guilt. "That was... your
grandparents on the phone. You net
heard didn't you? Isabella has a high fever that won't break, and your grandparents aren't good health... We can't let them worry too much..."
"I understand," Serena said with a slight smile. "It's fine. The elderly's health is
what's important."
Her precious daughter's
understanding made Catherine feel
even more guilty. She took Serena's hand "Once Isabella is feeling better,
explain everything to youretter,
grandparents."
Serena just smiled. Her cool, bright eyes lifted, casting a sidelong glance at Isabella on the sofa.
Her smile widened, but it lacked the gentleness she showed Catherine. Instead, it was tinged with a cold, mocking sneer.