Chapter 452


    Leandro exhaled slowly, regaining hisposure before he spoke. “Thought you didn’t want to take


    care of me?”


    Seraphina suddenly lifted the handkerchief in her hand, “Aren’t I taking care of you right now, Mr.


    Leandro?”


    Hearing this, Leandro closed his eyes and took a deep breath, a faint smile ying at the corners of his


    mouth. After a moment, he asked, “How’s… my mother doing?”


    Seraphina had anticipated this question first thing in the morning, yet it was the very topic she least


    wanted to discuss with him. The doctors said his injuries were severe and required rest. But how could


    he rest if he started worrying about Gloria?


    Clear as day, Seraphina knew this was a conversation that had to be had for Leandro to truly rest. So,


    after sending the nurse away, she sat down beside his bed to address his concern. “I gave her a piece


    of my mind.”


    “Uh–huh,” Leandro acknowledged, prompting her to continue.


    “I made her cry,” she added.


    Leandro seemed mildly surprised by this, watching Seraphina quietly, waiting for her to continue.


    “Then-“Seraphina hesitated, but on ncing up, she caught sight of Herman outside the hospital room.


    She resumed, “She agreed to go with Herman.”


    Leandro closed his eyes again upon hearing this.


    “Don’t worry just yet,” Seraphina advised, “I asked Herman toe and talk to you.”


    After saying this, she stood up, walked to the door, and gestured for Herman toe in. Herman


    approached promptly, asking, “How’s Leandro doing?”


    “Tell him about his mom first, then we can decide how he’s doing,” Seraphina replied.


    Herman nodded and made to enter the room.


    Yet Seraphina pulled him back, asking, “It’s something he can handle, right?”


    Herman gave her a reassuring look, “Don’t worry, I know what to say and what not to.”


    Relieved, Seraphina let him into the room.


    “Leandro,” Herman called out.


    In the half minute it took Herman to enter, Leandro had rested his eyes again. He opened them hearing


    Herman’s voice and responded softly.


    “How are you feeling?” Herman asked in a low voice.


    “I’m not going to kick the bucket,” Leandro replied curtly, then pressed on, “What’s the situation?”


    Herman let out a breath and exchanged a nce with Seraphina before saying, “Gloria’s confessed to


    everything, including pushing Vivian Smith down the stairs years ago-”


    Leandro’s expression remained unchanged.


    “But don’t worry,” Herman quickly added, “because Gloria was very calm, very stable. She was lucid


    when she talked about the past, and I think she’s trulye to her senses.”


    Herman knew all too well the state Gloria had been in over the years, as the Reynolds family’s close


    ties made such news known. After the recent incident, he was all the more familiar with Gloria’s mental


    condition.


    But the Gloria he saw today seemed like apletely different personposed, serene, clearly


    articting each mistake from her past without any sign of distress.


    “Her only concern was about you,” Herman continued, “But this morning, Bruce came and told her you


    were out of danger- The memory of Bruce and Gloria’s meeting was still vivid in Herman’s mind.


    Aware of their rocky marriage and mindful of the receiit ident, Herman had been on edge, fearing a


    confrontation the moment they met.


    Unexpectedly, the moment Gloria saw Bruce, she sat up–straight and immediately asked, “How’s


    Leandro? Is the surgery ove)? Is be out of danger?


    de nodded slowly. The surgery is done, he’s been moved to ICU, He was awake before I left


    Tears welled up in Gloria’s eyes. “What did the doctor say? Is there any permanent damage? Will he


    recover?”


    “Everything went well,” Bruce assured her. “The doctors are optimistic due to his youth and health. He’ll


    recover in time…”


    Hearing this, Gloria burst into tears.


    For her, her greatest aplishment in life was having a son like Leandro. If she were the cause of his


    downfall, her life might as well have ended.


    But fortune smiled upon her; Leandro was safe. She could finally rest easy, reassured, and face the


    mistakes of her past with the time she had left.


    Gloria’s crying was intense, yet she seemed reluctant to reveal this side of herself to Bruce. She stood


    up, intending to leave the visitor’s room with the female officer.


    “Gloria,” Bruce suddenly called out.


    She paused but didn’t turn around.


    Bruce’s eyes reddened, and after a long silence, he finally said in a low voice, “I’m sorry-”


    At those words, Gloria’s tears broke free, but she didn’t turn back or linger. With her back to Bruce, she


    followed the officer out of the room.


    Bruce remained seated, his hand pressed to his eyes, motionless for a long time.


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    “She’s been lost in this marriage for too long, Seraphina said softly, “I hope she’s truly found rity


    now.”


    After she finished, Herman remained silent, and a stillness fell over the room.


    Seraphina looked up to meet Leandro’s darkening gaze and paused before saying, “Why are you


    looking at me like that? Are you ming me?”


    Leandro didn’t answer.


    Sensing tension, Herman cleared his throat, “I snuck away during lunch to check on you. Now that


    you’re awake, I’m relieved. I have to head back to the office, but I’lle visit you tonight.”


    After finishing his piece, Herman rose swiftly, brushing past Seraphina with a look that wordlessly urged


    her to be wise, before hurrying away.


    Seraphina shot him a re so sharp it could have drawn blood, but before she could retract her fiery


    gaze, Leandro’s voice cut through the tension, “Come here.”


    Only then did Seraphina saunter over to the bedside, saying, “What’s done is done, there’s no turning


    back the clock. But whateveres next, whether it’s getting her a doctor or awyer, you can count


    on me to handle it… if you still have any faith in me, that


    is


    Leandro didn’t speak, simply unfolded the hand that rested by his side.


    Seraphina eyed his outstretched palm for a moment before slowly cing her own hand in his.


    He gently wrapped his fingers around hers, holding them lightly before finally asking, “What did you say


    to her?”


    Seraphina hesitated, a slight frown creasing her brow.


    1 want her to break free from those dark, hopeless days more than anyone, Leandro said, his voice


    low. “So if she really can find some peace, f’d be happier than anyone.”


    Seraphina’s lips pressed together, the evident battle to keep her emotions in check ying out across


    her face


    So, what did you say to her? Leandro pressed, his tone insistent.


    After a brief silence. Seraphina finally spoke. Honestly, it’s not about what I said to her, She came to


    her senses because she truly cares for you, her son