Chapter 52: Wilted
Meanwhile, on the same quiet Sunday afternoon at the Neri household...
Lianna Neri stood still in the garden, staring blankly at the wilted peony flowers near the fence. The petals had shriveled into dry curls, and wild bushes crept over the once carefully-tended bed.
Considering the Neri household was one of the four richest families in the country, it wasn't that they couldn't afford gardeners. In fact, they employed several. But even the most skilled hand wouldn't lift a finger unless given the word by someone with power.
And Lianna Neri? In a house where she held no voice, the opinion of the "young madam of the house" meant just like these wilted flowers.
A few years ago, this sight would have broken her heart. Back then, she would've rushed to clear the weeds and nurture the peonies like they were her own children.
But now... she simply didn't care.
It wasn't laziness. It wasn't forgetfulness. It was something worse—resignation.
And yet, out of sheer habit, she bent down, picked up the watering can, and poured some water onto the cracked soil around the peonies.
No care in her movements. No hope. If they live, they live. If not, then they don't.
She had barely finished pouring when a sharp voice shattered the stillness like glass.
"Lianna!"