The Visit To The Sanatorium

||Liliana||

Liliana glanced at Old Madam Shen who sat next to her inside the black sedan car.

Currently, they were heading to a place in the southwest of the capital, almost one hour away from the private beach. The two ladies including Madam Ma woke up early for the trip.

Liliana and Old Madam Shen sat in the back seat while Madam Ma was in the seat opposite them. The driver put up the partition that separated the ladies from him. The car was modified according to Old Madam Shen's preferences.

"Won't he sign it?" asked Liliana with a weary smile. She could faintly hear what Asher was saying due to the silence in the car.

"He has to," Old Madam Shen reached out for Liliana's hands that clasped her long skirt, "Asher is my own grandson but, he has done many wrong things to you, Lili."

Liliana gave Old Madam Shen a grateful smile. She really couldn't tell how much the Old Madam's support meant to her.

Before, divorcing Asher had never crossed her mind. She only persuaded herself to suck everything unpleasant up and be patient. Perhaps, the cold Asher would finally open up to her.

But...

The years-long dreams shattered on the night she lost their child.

On the first day when Liliana brought up the request to Old Madam Shen, she also shared it with Nancy and Nadia who had just come to visit.

Both of them wholeheartedly supported her, saying that they would always be behind her.

"I wonder if... the news has reached the Xin family," murmured Liliana in wonder.

After both families got berated by Old Madam Shen for their inattentiveness to the sick Liliana, a few of the members called and texted her.

Their well-wishes were not sincere because they only did that because of the old madam.

Since then, Liliana turned her phone off. Fortunately, she had another one that was only known by Nancy, Nadia and Old Madam Shen. Her mind was more at ease with no disturbance from the pretenders.

Hearing Liliana's words, Old Madam Shen shook her head, "Not yet, unless Asher chose to contact your father. But, knowing him, he wouldn't do that."

"...yes, he won't."

Liliana swallowed a bitter smile. Despite having a distant relationship with Asher, she had grown to know his personality well.

The car was shrouded in silence again.

Liliana glanced at her hands. She no longer wore the wedding ring that was so precious to her before. It was kept inside the ring box, hidden deep inside a drawer.

Soon, the car arrived at its destination. It was a large sanatorium built nearby a lush forest with a magnificent lake.

The tall white building stood up in the bleak view of the winter forest. A signboard that spelled out Cerulean Meadow Sanatorium was hung on the gate.

"I haven't seen Mom in a long time," Liliana felt guilty thinking of it. Looking at Old Madam Shen and Madam Ma, she said, "Thank you for accompanying me here."

"We have nothing else to do," responded Old Madam Shen.

"Your mother will be happy to know her daughter comes to visit her," added Madam Ma with a smile.

Liliana nodded. The light in her dull eyes brightened slightly.

The driver pulled up the car under the porch of the sanatorium. Bright lights illuminated the entire premise, chasing the gloominess of winter away.

Because Christmas would be here in a few weeks, the sanatorium was decorated with colorful festivities ornaments.

Liliana helped Old Madam Shen to get off the car. Madam Ma followed from behind. Both ladies could still walk without any cane assistance despite their high age.

Liliana registered at the front desk. Everyone's visits were recorded by the system, no matter whether they were family members or unrelated guests.

"Come, Grandma, Aunt Ma."

The two old ladies walked together with Liliana, heading to a place that the young lady knew by heart. Liliana had been a frequent visitor to this place since the day she was brought into the Xin family.

The three of them went up to the third floor of the west wing. Liliana greeted the guards who stayed put at the entrance of the area. They allowed the three ladies to enter after confirming their identities.

The hallway was long. Potted plants decorated the place together with rows of comfortable chairs. The interior was far more luxurious than typical hospitals and sanatoriums.

They continued walking until Liliana stopped in front of a dark gray-colored door. Her eyes went to the nameplate that had never changed.

No. 3-12: Ms. Cassia Song.

A sense of sorrow pricked Liliana's heart. Disguising her sadness with a smile, she said, "Mom should be waiting for us. Let's go inside."

Old Madam Shen and Madam Ma exchanged a glance. The former gave a soft pat on Liliana's back.

Creak...

Once the door was slid open, Liliana's eyes immediately went searching for her mother. A layer of tears glistened in her eyes the moment she saw the familiar image.

In the middle of the spacious private ward, a woman was lying on the hospital bed. She was put on oxygen support. Her facial features were similar to Liliana's.

The woman was Cassia Song, Liliana's birth mother.

Old Madam Shen and Madam Ma kept a small distance from Liliana as the young lady attended to her mother. She checked on her outer appearance before she began to massage the woman's limbs.

"Grandma, Aunt Ma, please sit down," Liliana glanced at the two old ladies. Her smile was imbued with gratitude and sorrow, "I'm sorry if I'll take a long time here."

"You're a filial child, Lili," Old Madam Shen praised Liliana, "Your mom will be happy with that."

"Yes," Madam Ma sang to the same tune, "We don't have anything to do anyway. Don't worry about us, Lili."

"Hehe, okay."

Liliana focused back on Cassia.

Even though her mother had been in a coma for more than ten years, her physical appearance was better than most vegetative patients. It was all thanks to the power of wealth and influence of the Xin family.

Before the accident that cost Cassia's consciousness, Liliana was raised up by her single-handedly. Even though the young her did ask about her father several times, Liliana didn't feel that bad because Cassia filled the empty spot well.

Until the first appearance of Thomas Xin, her birth father. The man sternly gave her a warning before she was brought into the Xin household.

"That woman can't protect you now. You can come with me but, live quietly like a rat. I'll handle your mother's treatment."

The young Liliana was terrified by how her small world changed overnight. Afraid of losing the only chance to survive, she had to agree with the cruel condition.

It was the beginning of her life in hell.