Chapter 267
But the hospital wards were soundproofed to perfection, so nothing could be heard from outside
Lydia and Zinnia reached the innermost ward. Through the glass window, they saw a woman curled up on the bed with a ragdell in her arm.
“Zinnia, just wait here for a sec,” Lydia said softly.
With Zinnia coming along, Lydia had carefully chosen a time to visit when Bonnie’s condition was relatively stable. She had to check Bonnie’s condition
in advance.
“Okay.” Zinnia agreed obediently.
Lydia gently pushed open the ward door and stepped inside. “Mom,” she called softly and placed the bouquet of baby’s breath on the bedside table.
Thanks to the blue baby’s breath, the sterile white room lost some
of its chill.
Inside the ward, Bonnie cradled the rag doll and gently patted its back. She murmured softly, “Don’t be afraid, Lydia. Your dad will be home soon. When he comes back, we’ll be together again.”
Bonnie continued, “Sleep, my dear.”
After that, she said, “Lydia, I will always be here for you.”
Bonnie’s long hair spilled over her shoulders as she rested her head on the rag doll in her arms. Half of her gaunt face still revealed traces of the beauty she once had in her youth.
Her eyes were glassy and unfocused, and her gaze drifted aimlessly as she muttered incoherently to herself.
Lydia crouched in front of her and softly called, “Mom.”
Bonnie curled up on the hospital bed and stirred slightly. Her vacant eyes flickered, and her scattered gaze gradually sharpened as it settled on Lydia’s
face.
Bonnie said, “Ly–Lydia, my daughter. My dear daughter.”
Bonnie reached out with her pale, bony hand to gently caress Lydia’s face. Over the years, Lydia had visited Bonnie every chance she got. Even as Bonnie’s memory faded, she still remembered Lydia’s name.
“Mom, it’s me.” Lydia cupped Bonnie’s face against her own and nodded.
“Mom, my friend is here to see you. Let’s behave today, and I’ll give you a marshmallow, okay?” Lydia said softly, trying to soothe Bonnie. As Lydia spoke, she took a marshmallow out of her bag.
“Marshmallow,” Bonnie murmured. She reached out
eagerly, and Lydia gently placed the sweet into her waiting hand.
Lydia quickly snatched the marshmallow and fed it to the rag doll in her
arms.
“Here is a marshmallow, my dear. Mommy has a marshmallow for you. Eat it and stop crying, okay?” Bonnie cooed to the doll in her arms.
Lydia pressed her lips together. She felt warm because motherly love still shone through in her dazed moments, though Bonnie had lost her mind.
Seeing that Bonnie’s attention was fully on the doll, Lydia quietly stood up and opened the ward door.
“Zinnia, my mom isn’t doing too well. This is one of her rare stable moments. Let’s just see her briefly and leave, okay?” Lyc
gently.
Zinnia nodded. “Okay”
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Chapter 267
After she stepped into the ward, her gaze was immediately drawn to Bonnie. Bonnie was thin, with dry, yellow hair tangled messily over her shoulder Her eyes were sunken and hollow, and her face was gaunt.
But looking closely, Zinnia could see the resemblance between Lydia and Bonnie, except for their eyes. Zinnia guessed Lydia’s eyes must have come from her father.
“Hello, Ms. Hollis,” Zinnia greeted in a low voice.
Bonnie remained completely absorbed in her own world, showing no reaction to Zinnia.
“She can’t hear anything from the outside world. She only recognizes me. The doctors examined her and diagnosed her with a mental disorder,” Lydia
said.
“May I have a check?” Zinnia asked.
“Of course,” Lydia replied.
Zinnia handed the sunflowers to Lydia and then tiptoed cautiously toward Bonnie.
Bonnie kept feeding the rag doll in her arms with a marshmallow, completely oblivious to Zinnia drawing near.
On her way over, Zinnia observed how real psychiatric patients behaved. She found Bonnie’s reactions were different.
Zinnia gently checked Bonnie, and her brows knitted in concern.
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