The doctor's words echoed in Danna's mind-Karol needed ten days of bed rest, minimum.
"Grandma," Karol began, voice weak, “I'm serious. Lilah saved my life. I did a lot of wrong things, and I'm truly sorry. This time, I want to make things right. Grandma, you too..."
Her words trailed off as a wave of dizziness washed over her. As she leaned weakly against the railing, her face drained of color.
Kaden, concern etched on his face, rushed to her side.
"Back to bed, you need your rest. The doctor was very clear.”
Anxious, Danna approached Karol, urging her back into bed.
"Grandma, you should apologize to Lilah as well," Karol pleaded, her eyes wide with sincerity.
Danna's jaw dropped.
Lilah, witnessing the exchange, couldn't help but scoff internally.
As the saying goes, “A leopard doesn't change its spots."
There had to be an ulterior motive behind Karol's sudden change of heart.
"No, thank you," Lilah drawled, pushing herself to her feet.
"Apologies are unnecessary. ALL I ask for is a little civility in the future-less sarcasm, less mockery, perhaps even a bit less talking in general."
A faint smile played on her lips, masking her skepticism.
Danna bristled, ready to retort, but Karol cut her off. “Grandma, Lilah is Dad's daughter. We've been so cruel to her, and this pushed Dad away from me. Maybe we should try to accept her. It wouldn't hurt, would it?"
Her words flowed smoothly, a stark contrast to her past antagonism.
It almost sounded genuine.
Danna narrowed her eyes, unsure of Karol's intentions. Memories of her past animosity toward Lilah flickered to life-a hatred so intense it had bordered on murderous.
"Grandma..." Karol's frown deepened.
Danna's suspicion warred with Karol's pleading eyes and pale complexion. Finally, she reluctantly conceded, saying, "Since you insist, then so be it."
But in her heart, the disdain remained, an unyielding wall against apology.
“Lilah, did you hear?" Karol beamed, hope flickering in her eyes.
Lilah, however, remained unconvinced.
Naive trust wasn't part of her nature.