"Auntie, Uncle is here. Why don't you ask him directly if it's true?" Fu Licheng suggested.
Upon hearing this, Alex's mother abruptly released her grip on Fu Licheng's collar and rushed to Alex's father, clutching his hand as if it were her only lifeline. Her voice trembled as she asked, "Tell me, it's not true. You wouldn't do this to me. Alex is my biological daughter, isn't she?"
Alex's father lifted his head, his expression devoid of any emotion. He stared silently at Alex's mother's ashen face, yet his silence was a dagger, piercing deep into her heart.
After a moment, Alex's mother jerked her hand away from his, her voice laced with anguish. "Why? Why would you do this to me? I loved you so much. Why are you so cruel to me? Why!?"
Alex's father did not respond to her. Instead, his gaze traversed Alex's mother to settle on Alex, who stood frozen at the top of the stairs. Following his line of sight, everyone's attention shifted to Alex.
Alex felt as if her heart were being torn apart, her face numb with an icy chill. She knew that the tears streaming down her cheeks were not her own, but the pent-up resentment and pain buried within Alex's body, unleashed upon witnessing this life-altering scene once more.
Taking a deep breath, she pressed her hand to her chest, the agony rendering her incapable of thought. Glancing at Alex's mother, she stumbled back to her bedroom, locking the door behind her. Collapsing against it, she gasped for breath, weakly muttering, "Alex, rest assured, I'll fulfill your wishes..."
Initially, it was a mere utterance, but as the words left her lips, the ache in her chest began to ease, leaving her utterly exhausted.
The afternoon's scheduled meeting with Shen Zhen now seemed a distant memory. In her current state, attempting to discuss business would only invite ridicule and suspicion of her motives, perhaps even accusations of competing with Tian Tian for the Andra family fortune.
For it was precisely this—a conspiracy orchestrated by Tian Tian and Ethan to usurp the Andra family's wealth—that had led to Alex's expulsion and subsequent sale into a life of misery in the mountains.
All the meticulous preparations she had made for the meeting with Shen Zhen now seemed futile, overshadowed by the revelation of her true identity.
Though this revelation had arrived sooner than anticipated, she had steeled herself for it, ensuring she remained composed.
Her next move would be to observe the situation closely and strike when the time was right.
With these thoughts in mind, she wearily rose from the floor, walked to her bed, and lay down, closing her eyes to rest. Perhaps due to her extreme fatigue, she soon fell into a deep slumber, unaware of how long she slept.
When she awoke, she found herself in a hospital room. As she shifted her position, Sheng Xiangdong entered.
"Alex, you're finally awake! You've been unconscious for two days!" His joy was palpable, yet tinged with relief.
"What... happened to me?" Alex croaked, her voice raw and throat sore.
"You had a high fever, but thankfully, it broke this morning. It could have been much worse," Sheng said, his eyes filled with concern. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you sooner. I came back as soon as I heard."
"There's no need to apologize. We have no relationship," she said, averting her gaze. Though touched by his presence, she knew she could not reciprocate his feelings.
Sheng's heart ached at her words. Gazing at her pale face, he spoke softly, "I understand you don't love me, but as long as you're not with someone else, I'll keep waiting."
"Why do you persist? I'm no longer the pampered heiress I once was. Being with me holds no benefit for you."
"It doesn't matter who you are. I love you, and I've loved you since the first moment I saw you. If you let me, I'll never leave your side."
Sheng's words were earnest, his gaze unwavering. If she were the naive Alexandra who had yet to endure life's hardships and understand the complexities of love, she might have been swayed. But now, her heart was set on fulfilling her mission and attaining rebirth. She could not reciprocate his affections.
Saying nothing more, she closed her eyes, feigning sleep.
"You must be hungry after being unconscious for so long. I'll get you something to eat," Sheng said, rising to leave. Soon, he returned with a bowl of fragrant porridge, feeding her gently with a spoon.
Alex managed to swallow a mouthful before asking, "Where are my parents and grandfather?"
Sheng hesitated, his hand pausing mid-air. Looking into her somewhat vacant eyes, he spoke softly, "Grandpa stayed with you all night and left early this morning for work. You know how busy the company has been lately."
"And my parents?"
"After you were out of danger this morning, Uncle left. I'm not sure where he went, but don't worry. I think he's just not sure how to face you right now, so he's taking some time..." Sheng said much, but deliberately avoided mentioning Alex's mother.
"My mother doesn't want to see me, does she?" Alex asked, licking her dry lips.
"Alex, don't dwell on it. Auntie loves you, but she's just overwhelmed by everything that's happened. Give her time to sort through her feelings. Everything will be better in time," Sheng reassured her, though his words rang hollow.
"Perhaps," Alex replied with a faint smile.
Since arriving in this world, she had striven to forge a bond with Alex's mother, but the truth remained that she was not her biological daughter. Their relationship could never fully repair to what it once was. From now on, she would focus on improving it as much as possible.
As the mission entered its most challenging phase, she must remain vigilant, keeping a close eye on Tian Tian's every move.
At six in the evening, Keller's grandfather arrived at the hospital.
"Grandpa..." Alex called out softly, her voice tinged with sadness. The words she had intended to say caught in her throat, unable to escape.
"Alex, don't say anything. Grandpa understands," Keller's grandfather said, sitting beside her and patting her hand gently.
"Grandpa, how is Mom?"
"This blow is hard for her, but it's also a consequence of her own actions. She can't blame anyone else. Tian Tian is with her now, so you don't need to worry too much." Keller's grandfather sighed, looking older than his years after just one night.