Chapter 217 As If Briefly Brought Back to Life
Margaret sprawled out on the big bed in the master bedroom, eyes fixed on the ceiling. She'd just heard Raymond knocking, saying he wanted to take her to the hospital.
But she was exhausted today. She didn't want to put on a show anymore. She'd been up all night, watching the dark room slowly fill with light.
There was another knock on the door. Margaret dragged herself out of bed, walked over, and opened it.
Mary, wearing an apron, smiled and said, "Mrs. Howard, it's me. I made some porridge. Want to eat it while it's hot?"
"I'm not hungry," Margaret replied honestly.
Mary looked a bit worried and said, "Mr. Howard asked me to make sure you eat breakfast. If you don't, I can't explain it to him. Plus, you're pregnant, and the baby needs food too, right?"
'The baby?' Margaret blinked. Mary was a good person, hardworking and responsible. Margaret didn't want to make things hard for her.
After freshening up, Margaret changed clothes and went to the dining table for breakfast.
Margaret's phone buzzed. She picked it up and saw a WhatsApp message from Raymond.
If she remembered right, he'd blocked her ages ago.
How ironic that she was still alive when he unblocked her.
Raymond: [If you want something, tell Mary, and she'll make it for you. Your cold is bad. Let Mary take you to the hospital. The baby is the priority.]
The baby again. So all Raymond cared about was the baby.
Margaret knew he wanted to torment her, to keep reminding her he was looking forward to the baby's birth.
Was he really? Probably not. He was more likely looking forward to her demise.
Why did Raymond keep reminding her? Margaret wasn't forgetful.
She turned off the phone screen, placed it face down on the table, and focused on her porridge. It was soft and fragrant, but tasted bland to her.
Mary heard the phone and took hers out of her apron pocket, glanced at it, then looked at Margaret with concern. "Mrs. Howard, you have a cold? Are you feeling any better?"
Margaret gripped the spoon tightly. That message was from Raymond.
"You don't look well. Do you need me to take you to the hospital?" Mary asked, uneasy.
Margaret smiled. "I'm fine. You can go about your business."
Even a hospital visit wouldn't change anything.
The baby couldn't be aborted now. Her body was already in bad shape. She had no choice but to accept it.
Mary nodded, turned, and went to the kitchen, grabbed a shopping basket, and headed out for groceries.
The green plant in the corner was completely withered, its head drooping. The sunlight on the flowerpot made it seem momentarily alive.
Margaret touched the faded, dried leaves with her fingertips and smiled bitterly. She should've known better than to bring it home. She'd seen it growing strong in the wind, lush and green, like hope spreading. But once she brought it home, it died.
Margaret pulled the plant out by the roots. The roots had several rotten holes, leaving only long root hairs.
Margaret calmly tossed the plant into the trash. Then she headed to the balcony. The parrot in the cage looked down, almost like it was napping.
Hearing her footsteps, the parrot perked up, saw Margaret, and its eyes lit up. "Hello," it chirped.
Margaret smiled and poured all the feed from her palm into its food box.
The parrot gobbled it up in no time.
It must have been starving. Margaret refilled the feed several times, and it ate everything clean.
As she watched its shiny black feathers, Margaret fell into deep thought. The green plant was already dead. If the parrot stayed, would it meet the same fate? She had already lost her freedom and a beautiful life. The parrot was so similar to her, having to flatter and say nice things to please its owner, living at the mercy of its owner's mood.
Margaret opened the cage. The parrot flapped its wings and instantly flew into her palm.
"Hello, hello," it said clearly.
Margaret stroked its feathers with one hand. The sunlight on its body made it look like it was coated in gold, shining brightly. Its feathers felt soft and comfortable.
"You are not meant for a cage; the blue sky is your home," Margaret said gently, her lips slightly curved. She couldn't have freedom or fight fate, so she would let this parrot soar freely in the sky.
The parrot smacked its beak, its eyes fixed on Margaret.
Margaret knew it was reluctant to leave. But she could die at any moment. After she was gone, who would take care of this parrot?
So, it was better to let it go sooner.
Margaret steeled herself and threw her palm up sharply.
The parrot flew up skillfully, finally landing on the balcony, turning to look at Margaret for a long time, and said clearly, "Goodbye!"
"Goodbye," Margaret said with a slight smile. It was actually a farewell forever, with no chance to meet again.
The parrot turned its head back, flapped its wings, and quickly disappeared, flying towards the blue sky and white clouds.
Margaret looked at the empty cage again. It was as if everything that had just happened was a dream, as if nothing had happened, as if nothing had ever come.
Raymond hadn't shown up since he left the apartment. Nor had he contacted her.
Margaret saw the street trees gradually being decorated with ribbons, preparing for New Year's Eve a week later. But her body was getting worse day by day. She couldn't remember the last time she had a good night's sleep.
But Margaret still ate a lot every day, stuffing herself. She had to wait for Marlon to wake up. So she had increased the dosage of her painkillers.
Time flew by. Margaret finally couldn't wait any longer. She contacted Raymond, sending him a WhatsApp message.
Margaret: [Three days have passed. When will my dad wake up?]
He didn't reply.
A few days ago, he had asked if her cold was better, and she hadn't replied.
Margaret thought he was doing it on purpose. Now was not the time to care about pride; she had to follow up on this matter.
Just as Margaret was about to call him, Nancy's call came first. Margaret knew that when Nancy called, it was usually about Marlon.
Margaret quickly answered the phone.
"Margaret, I have good news! Margaret, are you listening?" Nancy's voice on the phone was tearful and excited.
Margaret held the phone and said, "I'm listening."
Nancy said, "Your dad woke up! Margaret, your dad woke up! Come to the hospital quickly; he wants to see you!"
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