Chapter 12

When Vivian awakened again, she found herself lying on her bed.

Beside the bed was a large French window, through which she saw rain pouring down from the dark sky and washing over the glass to blur the whole outside world.

"Vivian, you're finally awake!"

Hearing the familiar voice, she smiled softly. "Mrs. Moorsum, why are you here?"

Mrs. Moorsum was a keen gardener serving the Williams's.

She walked up to the bed with a warm bowl of soup and looked sad for Vivian. "If I hadn't come, no one would have known that you fainted. Here you are. This is red date soup. Good for your health."

Vivian struggled to sit up, took the bowl, and slowly sipped the soup.

"Vivian, what's up with you? When I helped you change your clothes, I found blood all over your body. Are you injured?"

With a faint smile, Vivian shook her head. "I'm not injured. Mrs. Moorsum, don't you… hate me?"

When Mrs. Moorsum was down and out, it was Cirrus's parents who gave her a job. This lasted for several decades until the Williams's fell apart overnight. All the servants left, except for this kind woman who insisted on taking care of Cirrus.

Mrs. Moorsum sighed wistfully. "To be honest, I once resented you for the death of Mr. Williams and Mrs. Grantham. But Vivian, I watched you grow up and know you the best. You wouldn't do that."

Vivian's eyes turned red in an instant. "Mrs. Moorsum, do you believe me?"

"Good girl, I'm old and not as smart as when I'm young, but I have my own judgment. If you had participated in the plot against the Williams's, you would have enjoyed a luxurious life with your family, rather than coming back to Cirrus."

Tears ran down Vivian's cheeks. "Thank you, Mrs. Moorsum. But why can't Cirrus think the same as you do?"

"He's just too scared to think this way." Mrs. Moorsum wiped away Vivian's tears with a warm hand and said in a gentle and loving tone, "Over the years, his heart has been overwhelmed by hatred. Besides, a woman called Florence White has been staying by his side. With decades of experience, I can assure you that she's very scheming and not as simple as Cirrus thinks."

Vivian revealed a wry smile.

It was too late to discuss this issue.

"Vivian, why were you alone in the rain on the roof? Did you argue with Cirrus again?"

Vivian shook her head. "There's no need to argue any more."

Love had come to an end, where only pain and weariness remained. There was no point in arguing any more.

Should she tell him that Florence was the culprit, or that she would soon die?

Which would he believe? The answer could not be clearer.

So, she would not argue with him. Besides, her energy did not allow her to start an argument.

"How long have I been in a coma?"

"It's been two days and one night," Mrs. Moorsum said. "I wanted to send you to the hospital, but you'd been dreaming and crying. You held the wet pillow tightly and didn't let go no matter how I tried to pull it away."

There were four days left before the seven-day deadline.

Vivian found her phone, which was dead, on the nightstand.

She charged up the phone and checked the weather forecast at once.

Just as Cirrus said, it would be cloudy or rainy for the next four days.

"Vivian, what are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing at God who's particularly partial to Cirrus. No matter what he wishes, God will try every means to help him."

Mrs. Moorsum was confused. "What are you mumbling about? You must be too tired from the fever."

She leaned over to feel Vivian's forehead. "Oh, why is it so hot? How long had you been in the rain before I came? Oh no, you have to see a doctor right away."

Vivian held Mrs. Moorsum's hand and said soothingly, "I don't want to go to the hospital."

"Be a good girl, Vivian," Mrs. Moorsum coaxed as if Vivian were still a little girl. "When you get well, I'll buy you some star-shaped candies."

Tears streamed down Vivian's face. "OK…"

"Then wait for a while. I'll call Cirrus."

Mrs. Moorsum dialed the number right away, and when Cirrus picked up the phone, she said hastily. "Cirrus, please come back immediately. Vivian has a bad fever and cannot hold on for longer…"

Cirrus remained silent for a long time.

"Cirrus?"

"Give the phone to Vivian."

"Oh, OK, OK." Overjoyed, Mrs. Moorsum hurriedly handed the phone to Vivian and encouraged her in a whisper, "Cirrus wants to talk to you. Tell him that you're innocent. As long as the misunderstanding is gone, you'll be together as before. I'll get you another bowl of soup."

When she closed the door, her face still beamed with pleasure.

She was the closest witness to the love story between Vivian and Cirrus.

They kissed for the first time in her small garden, dated outside under her cover, and learned from her how to make paper stars.

In her eyes, Vivian and Cirrus were a match made in heaven.

"Hi, Cirrus…"

"Vivian Walker, how scheming you are! Since you're blacklisted, you're calling me with Mrs. Moorsum's phone?"