Daisy looked at her face, Lady Stephens had obviously touched up her makeup when she came down, but the eyes don't lie, they were as red as a rabbit's.
Daisy shifted her gaze away and smiled as she pulled out the bouquet of sunflowers from the passenger seat, "Edward used to love them the most. I happened to pass by today and bought a bunch for him. Since he's asleep now, I'll go up later. Auntie, do you want to go home? I'll give you a lift."
Lady Stephens' gaze lingered on the bouquet of sunflowers that were blooming vibrantly. She paused for a moment, as if recalling something, and her eyes reddened even more.
She quickly turned aside, gently rubbed her eyes, suppressing her tears before turning back to Daisy and softly saying, "You are thoughtful, Daisy. I'm heading home now, thank you for the trouble."
Daisy smiled and opened the car door, letting Lady Stephens get in.
Familiar with the route, Daisy drove while making small talk with Lady Stephens.
But Lady Stephens was preoccupied, lost in thought, not knowing where her mind wandered. Daisy spoke, but seeing no response, she fell into silence.
Half an hour later, Daisy's car stopped at the entrance of the Stephens family home.
The Stephens' butler was heading out with a lunch box in hand, planning to deliver dinner to Edward. Seeing Lady Stephens get out of Daisy's car, he was startled and quickly walked over, calling her, "Madam!"
Leaning against the car window, Daisy smiled and waved at the butler, "You're delivering food to Edward? I'm heading to the hospital to see him, hand me the lunch box."
The butler stepped forward, expressing his gratitude and handed her the lunch box. Lady Stephens had composed herself by then, but she still seemed unwell. She turned and nodded slightly at Daisy, speaking gently, "Thank you, Daisy."
"It's no trouble." Daisy smiled, placing the lunch box on the passenger seat, just about to turn around when she heard Lady Stephens softly call out to her from where she stood, "Daisy dear."
Daisy stopped the car, turned her head to look at her. In the sunset light, Lady Stephens' gaze was awash with a glimmer of tears, fragile sorrow threaded through her gentle features. Though she said nothing more, Daisy already understood her plea.
This was a frail and helpless woman, yet a gentle and kind mother. Long ago, Daisy had eaten countless cakes and desserts made by her hands.
She really liked Lady Stephens. Edward had grown up by her side and learned her gentleness, but somewhere along the line, he also learned her cruelty.
Daisy gently laughed, "Auntie, what am I supposed to do afterward?"
Lady Stephens paused slightly, but she already understood her meaning. Her gaze became even more tremulous and sorrowful. In the end, she reluctantly and slowly averted her gaze.
If she lost Edward, what was she to do?
The Ginger Residence was no longer what it once was, all she could hold onto were the people who once belonged to her.
Edward had already lost the shared memories they had, and now, was she supposed to let him go herself?
She refused.
No matter what, no matter what people said, she was determined to have him.
He was originally hers!
She wasn't going to hand him over to someone else!
*
Arriving at the hospital, Daisy carried the lunch box and flowers into the ward where Edward was already awake.
He stood by the window, watching the sunset outside; his profile was extraordinarily handsome. When she approached, a few young nurses were gathered near the doorway peeking in, but when they saw her coming, they quickly scattered in fright.