Delphine suddenly reached out and grabbed Beatrice Carter's hand, a wave of despair surging through her. She looked at her, broken and in pain, and asked, "My mother... she's gone?"
Beatrice's meticulously maintained, fair and soft hand was being painfully squeezed by her. It was the first time in years she had seen such an expression on Delphine's face. She was so startled that she couldn't even move, and she carefully replied, "Yes, so she entrusted you to me, asking me to raise you. The name 'Delphine' was chosen by her as well. She thought life's joys were found in simplicity, and she... she loved you very much."
Her body seemed drained of all strength as she collapsed to the ground. She lowered her face, her expression ashen. The pain of suddenly losing her mother overwhelmed her, stabbing her heart. Her head throbbed with an endless, sharp ache. Sitting on the floor, her large eyes welled with tears, and she silently began to cry.
