Chapter 94: After Seeing Elena Ward Off

After seeing Elena Ward off, the relatives gradually dispersed. Night had fallen, and everyone was eager to return home to rest. Fortunately, both families lived in the same village, making the journey convenient.

Helen Reed gently wiped the sweat from Emily Reed's forehead with a towel. "Sweetheart, would you like some water? I’ll get it for you."

Emily weakly shook her head—she had no desire to drink anything at the moment.

"Mom, what happened with Elena?" Having faced death, she was no longer the naive girl she once was. From her mother’s demeanor toward Elena, she could tell the girl knew all her secrets.

"You should be grateful! If it weren’t for Elena, you would’ve—" Agnes’s voice choked as she recounted everything in detail. Only then did Emily realize just how dire her situation had been.

"Silly girl, why couldn’t you talk to us? Your father was ready to write a referral so I could take you to the county hospital. It would’ve been safe there. Instead, you ran off on your own. If anything had happened to you, how could we have gone on living?" Agnes scolded, torn between anger and heartache, though she knew her daughter was still recovering.

Emily pushed herself up, surprised to find her body much lighter than expected—no dizziness or weakness. Agnes quickly steadied her.

"Mom, I was wrong. I just couldn’t stand it anymore. Harold Martin and his family are awful. His parents treated me like I was worthless. Even if I’d had the baby, I’d never have been respected in that household. I’d rather stay single forever than let you, Dad, or my brothers be shamed because of me." Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke.

Agnes’s heart ached at her words.

"Foolish girl, no matter what, you can’t gamble with your life!" Agnes wiped her tears. "Once you’re better, we’ll find you a good match."

The thought of Harold still enjoying himself in town while her daughter had nearly died made Agnes’s blood boil.

"Mom, I’ll be fine," Emily murmured softly, though inwardly she vowed never to trust a man again. Harold had shattered her heart completely.

"That’s my girl. We owe everything to Elena—she saved your life." Agnes sighed. "She’s such a sensible girl, never saying more than necessary. We’re deeply indebted to her."

Emily silently finished her brown sugar water and soon drifted into a deep sleep.

Agnes tucked the blanket around her daughter and quietly closed the door. When she returned to the room, Martin Reed immediately approached.

"Is she asleep?"

Agnes removed her shoes and climbed onto the bed. The moment her nerves relaxed, exhaustion washed over her. In her worry for Emily, she’d even forgotten about her own fever.

"Yes."

Martin had already prepared the bedding. Noticing his wife’s pale complexion, he asked worriedly, "Do you still have a fever? Should I get you some medicine?"

As soon as Agnes lay down, fatigue overwhelmed her.

"No need. It’s gone already. Medicine shouldn’t be taken carelessly." She paused. "By the way, you haven’t told me everything that happened today."

Martin blew out the oil lamp and recounted the events from start to finish.

Hearing that Emily had already stopped breathing at one point, Agnes was jolted wide awake. When she learned Elena had revived her with acupuncture, she exhaled deeply.

"Martin, we owe that girl an enormous debt!" Agnes’s voice trembled. "She saved two lives in our family, yet she never acts like some grand savior. That alone makes her worth keeping close. My father was right—truly capable people never show off."

Remembering how Elena had saved her brother without asking for anything in return, Agnes shuddered at the thought of what might have been. "If we’d treated her as poorly as others in the village, none of this would’ve happened. Integrity matters in life."

Martin wholeheartedly agreed. If not for Elena’s quick thinking, they might have arrived only to find their daughter’s lifeless body. The mere memory of the bloodstains in the room sent chills down his spine.

"From now on, Elena is our family’s greatest benefactor. She has no parents and is stuck with that awful grandmother. Calvin Ward is no better—how could he not know his own daughter was abused for four years?" Martin’s tone was resolute. "We can’t control others, but we must repay kindness with kindness."

"I think Elena’s medical skills are extraordinary—probably inherited from her father. That girl is brilliant, surpassing even her teacher." Martin continued, "Let’s treat her as our own daughter. University may not charge tuition, but city living is expensive. With our two sons in the military, we have some extra funds. In a couple of days, prepare two hundred dollars for her. We’ll give her that amount every year from now on."

Agnes nodded repeatedly. "Don’t worry, I’ll handle it. Elena is a good girl—she won’t let us down."

With their plans settled, the two soon fell asleep. The ordeal of the past few days had left them utterly exhausted.