His Regret Arrived Three Days Late novel Chapter 43

After a brief, tense exchange of glances, Annika let out a cold, mocking laugh and turned back inside.

Serena noticed Conrad's eyes following Annika and felt a pang of anxiety. She tightened her grip on his sleeve, her voice a soft plea. “Conrad, I don’t have to go in, but my mother came all this way. Please, just let her see Uncle Marcus. She’s a kind person, and she won’t have a moment’s peace for the rest of her life if she can't pay her respects today.”

Fearing he might refuse, she added, “Uncle Marcus saved her life once. If it weren’t for him, she would have died long ago.”

Her voice was thick with tears. Conrad slowly pulled his gaze back to Serena's pitiful expression. At her repeated pleas, his resolve softened. He gently removed her hand from his sleeve and said to Yelena, “Follow me.”

Yelena was overjoyed. She shot a discreet, triumphant glance at Serena, a flicker of success passing between them.

The exchange didn't escape Hank, who stood by the door, feeling a growing disgust for Serena.

Conrad led the way, and Yelena followed timidly behind him into the hall. She was about to light a candle at the memorial when Annika snatched it from her hand and threw it to the floor. The flame flared close to Yelena’s cheek, and she cried out, covering her face.

“Mom!” Hearing the scream, Serena wheeled herself furiously into the room.

“What are you doing in here?” Yelena hissed at her daughter.

Seeing the angry red mark on her mother’s cheekbone, Serena trembled with rage. “Annika,” she cried, her voice deceptively frail.

Annika’s face was a stony mask. Without even looking at Conrad, she said, “We don’t need it. My father can’t accept it from her.”

“Annika, you’ve gone too far!” Yelena said, rubbing the burn on her face, her voice tight with suppressed fury. “What have I ever done to you to deserve this? Your mother and I are sisters. We’re family, yet you tried to blind me with that candle!”

Her voice rose hysterically. “What good would it do you if I were blind? I knew it! You’ve always been psychologically unstable. You were always jealous of Serena for being better than you, jealous that our family was richer than yours…!”

Annika’s lips turned white. She dug her nails into her palms, fighting the urge to tear them both apart. She stood tall, her back ramrod straight, and her beautiful eyes swept over Serena.

“Me, jealous of Serena?” she said with a chilling smile. “Is she even worthy?”