The Adrienne You Know Is Dead (1)

Myrtle was still alive, which gave Adrienne more reason to change the course of her life for the better this time. However, stopping Myrtle from retaking the same road only meant that she wouldn't conceive and have Dylan in this lifetime.

Adrienne grieved over the thought, but she surmised that it would be for the best, as Dylan wouldn't have to struggle with not having his birth mother around and wouldn't have to be subjected to the suffering in his uncle's hands.

'Myrtle, I regret everything. Please forgive me if I stop you from having Dylan in the future.'

Adrienne had no idea who fathered Dylan, and Myrtle wouldn't tell her. Even their brothers in the gang were clueless about the bastard who abandoned her.

"What's wrong with you, Addie?" Myrtle laughed awkwardly, but Adrienne's heartfelt confession quite moved her. "Where did you hide my meek and foolish best friend?" She teased, hoping to lighten the mood between them.

Myrtle thought something might have happened to Adrienne back home, hence she was acting like this. Adrienne had been crying like a baby last night while drinking. Myrtle worried that Adrienne's stepmother or new stepsister might have bullied her discreetly yet again.

Adrienne shook her head and sighed. "She's already dead and would never return. You don't have any choice but to keep me instead."

Myrtle burst into laughter, almost spilling her drink as she clutched her side from laughing too much. However, she was somewhat relieved knowing that Adrienne wouldn't be seeking her brother any longer. It was one thing that bothered her these past years, but she couldn't do anything about it. She feared that she would be subjected to his tyranny if Adrienne managed to catch her brother's attention.

"It's still your birthday. Do you have other plans today?" She asked Adrienne.

Adrienne considered her options. She wanted to stay a little longer with Myrtle and see her mother soon.

As if sensing her distraught, Myrtle lowered her mug on the coffee table and took Adrienne's hand, giving it a light squeeze to assure her.

"Should we give Auntie Rose a visit? She can't possibly miss your birthday celebration."

Adrienne stared at her best friend and nodded, watching in a blur as Myrtle walked around her unit. It took Myrtle fifteen minutes to wash up and change into new clothes.

"Let's go, Addie. We can't let Auntie wait for too long."

Myrtle's voice snapped Adrienne from her trance. She allowed her best friend to drag her outside and called Uncle Mo to drive them to the hospital.

Adrienne didn't know what she should feel right then. Of all the people she failed in her previous life, Adrienne didn't dare face her mother now. Even if her mother forgave her, she wouldn't be able to forgive herself for being foolish, allowing Camilla, Elise, and Cayden to take advantage of her.

"Addie? What's wrong? Did you forget something?" Myrtle called her when Adrienne didn't alight the car once they reached their destination.

Adrienne didn't answer but followed her best friend out, lifting her head only to see the hospital her mother was admitted to for many years before Alistair Han transferred her to another one. Her legs trembled slightly, tears stung her eyes as she was grateful to see her mother and best friend again.

She felt like she was dragging her feet, taking the same path she knew well. What would her mother say if she knew what she had done in an attempt to keep her alive? Would she blame herself, or would she find Adrienne disgraceful?

Adrienne knew that her mother would blame herself for what had happened, though she was the one who made the poor choices. She was rooted outside the door when they reached the room where her mother was staying.

Myrtle didn't notice it and opened the door immediately, greeting the unconscious woman lying on the bed. The woman looked to be in her late thirties. Though visibly thin, it didn't lessen how beautiful the woman was. It was easy to tell that most of Adrienne's facial features, such as the shape of her face, her brows, her nose, and her lips, came from her.

"Addie! What are you doing standing there?! Come in here!" Myrtle called her when she remained unmoving in her place.

Adrienne finally took a step inside and saw her mother. She could feel a cold shiver run down her spine, making this all feel real. She suddenly found it hard to breathe and held onto the railing at the end of the bed as she looked at her mother's ghastly complexion. Though her mother was still alive, someone hired by her brother and Camilla must still be drugging her mother to remain in a coma.

Adrienne knew that she needed to find a way to stop it before her mother's condition deteriorated further. However, she knew this wouldn't be easy unless she transferred her mother to a safer place with better health facilities.

She walked to her mother's side and placed her hand on top of her mother's. Adrienne could feel the faint warmth coming from her mother as if she was still reassuring her that everything would be fine. She did not doubt that if her mother had a choice, she would rather choose to end her life than see her daughter suffer.

'Mom, kindness isn't enough for others to treat you kindly. In this life, I will make them pay for what they did to you.'

Adrienne thought that her mother was too forgiving. If she hadn't foolishly forgiven her father and welcomed Cayden to their family, they would have avoided this tragedy.

How could she remain still and do nothing when she was already aware of the scheme those three had set up? If she wasn't reborn, Adrienne hated that she would remain as foolish as she was until the end. It left a bitter taste in her mouth, but she swore not to waste this rare chance in her favor.