Sweetheart, Do You Still Love Me?

Chapter 437 Helena Has Died

Elspeth and Gilbert went together to the sanatorium in Damoria. It was in Damoria's suburbs, not far

from the city center, but it was pretty remote, with few people around. On the other hand, she never

would have thought her mother would be there. She expected Helena to be in a hospital due to her

terminal illness, but she never imagined that her mother would choose a sanatorium, where typically

only the terminally ill are admitted. Then, when she found out that her mother was so set on passing

away, she felt an intense pain in her chest.

When she arrived, she tried to rush in to see her mom as soon as possible, but the guard at the door

stopped her.

"Who are you? What's your name? Please show your ID."

Hearing that, her voice was somewhat agitated, but she remained calm. "My mom is inside. Please let

me in, okay?"

"What's your mother's name?"

Elspeth bit her lip, unsure if Helena had changed her name when she admitted.

"Helena Joneson."

The receptionist at the door flipped through the book in his hand, and her face suddenly became

serious.

"Helena Joneson... It seems like this person passed away yesterday."

Passed away? Her heart stopped beating for a moment.

"You better take another look. Are you sure you didn't make a mistake? How could she have passed

away?"

Nonetheless, the receptionist replied nonchalantly, "I know you might not believe it now. There is a

person named Helena Joneson at our sanatorium, and I wouldn't make a mistake."

Meanwhile, Gilbert stood beside her and was incredulous when he heard that. "I was here the day

before yesterday, and I saw Miss Joneson. How could she have passed away today?"

After hearing that, the receptionist frowned. "Young man, a person's lifespan is determined by fate, and

no one can predict when they will leave this world. Your tone suggests that our sanatorium is up to no

good."

Gilbert realized that his tone was a bit too aggressive and quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, I was a bit

impulsive with my words."

After listening to that, the pain in Elspeth's heart quickly expanded.

"Where is her body? Where is the room she used to live in? Can I go see it?"

The receptionist hesitated for a moment. "Miss, we still haven't confirmed your identity yet, so it may

not be appropriate to let you in so easily. Anyway, it's not completely impossible. We can let you in if

you can produce an item that belongs to your mother."

Trembling, she took out a necklace from her pocket. It was in the shape of a heart and the same

necklace she carried when she went to look for her mother.

"Ah, yes, this is it. It's this necklace."

The person nodded, and a different emotion appeared in her eyes. "Follow me. I'll take you to her room

first."

Elspeth nodded, and together with Gilbert, they were led to the room.

After pushing the door open, there was no one in the room. The receptionist led them in and then left.

Although there was no one living in the room anymore, it was still spotless. With one glance, she knew

that the room had been her mother's. Then, she strolled forward and saw a diary that was not locked

on the table, so she picked it up and opened it.

Her mother's handwriting was exquisite, and Elspeth carefully read through the diary, which mostly

recorded her mother's struggle against her illness. Soon, Elspeth noticed her mother's handwriting

became increasingly weak and unsteady as she continued to read. It appeared that Helena's physical

discomfort had affected her handwriting. Yet, at the end of nearly every entry, she would write about

how much she missed her daughter.

My daughter Elspeth is always in my thoughts and heart.

Elspeth touched the writing, and tears slowly rolled down her face.

When she reached the last page, she could no longer control her emotions and burst into tears. In the

diary's final entry, Helena wrote: 'Dearest Elspeth. Perhaps, I've already passed on by the time you

read this. It breaks my heart to leave you without warning, but I had to do it for your sake. Your life is

still blooming, and I no longer want to hold you back. I wouldn't want that even if my illness was cured

because you sacrificed your freedom. I love you more than words could ever express. Is there a mother

in this world who wouldn't cherish her daughter? Sometimes, life is cruel, and we are forced to make

impossible choices. For me, that choice was death in exchange for your freedom. Even though I know

we will never cross paths again in this life, please take comfort that I will always watch you from a place

you cannot see. My time was limited, and my illness was beyond cure.

Only Arthur could have cured me. I hastened my own illness so that I could leave before you arrived.

Isabel has been a faithful and loving companion to me. She has been patient and kind; I'm grateful for

her presence. I know she's working at Luna Bar, and I secretly allowed it because I knew it was your

business. You will find her there, and I hope you'll care for her. I trust that you will continue showing

your kindness by looking after her as your little sister long after I am gone. As you navigate this world

without me, I hope you'll always stay true to yourself, never be swayed by others' opinions, and never

bow down to anyone. My daughter Elspeth is always in my thoughts and heart. Forever your mother,

Helena Joneson."

When Elspeth reached the end of the letter, her tears had wholly soaked the entire page. She was still

a step too late.

On the other hand, Gilbert, who had fondly remembered Helena as being kind to him since childhood,

also felt unbearable sorrow at her death. However, now he could not do anything, not even hold

Elspeth in his arms and comfort her. He could only approach her silently and pat her shoulder, saying,

"Don't be sad. Miss Joneson also has her own struggles. She wants you to be okay and not upset

because of her."

Although he didn't know what was written in the letter, he could guess that Helena had done something

self-destructive from Elspeth's breakdown.

"My mom is ridiculous. She thinks I'm too dumb," she murmured and suddenly laughed. "Do you think

I'm too weak? What if, instead of being threatened by Arthur, I used his secrets as bargaining chips to

get him to help my sick mother?"

As he listened to her words, he felt something was off but still thought it made some sense.

"Although that's true—"

"I got it." Elspeth stood up and carefully closed the diary. "I know what to do now."

Gilbert noticed her change in emotion and was surprised. "What are you going to do?"

Hearing that, she turned her head. The tear marks on her face were distinct, but the sadness in her

eyes had dissipated instantly. "I want to become stronger."