She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 211

The next day, a call from The Willow Creek Retreat plunged Lyra into a suffocating wave of despair. The staff reported that Delilah had suddenly lost touch with reality, unable to recognize anyone.

She rushed to the retreat, only to be met with her mother's blank, distant stare. Her own mother didn't know who she was. Lyra's heart shattered. The overwhelming panic made her feel like she was losing her mind. "Let's go home," she choked out.

"We're going home right now."

Desperate, Lyra reached out to support Delilah, determined to pull her mother out of this place immediately.

But Delilah recoiled violently at the touch. She lashed out, her nails dragging fiercely across Lyra's hand, leaving behind several stinging, bloody scratches.

"Lyra, are you okay?" Kayla rushed into the room, horrified to find her completely breaking down.

Right then, Lyra's phone started ringing.

It was Secretary Montgomery.

They had scheduled a trip to Zenith City today to negotiate a major contract.

And it was time to leave.

"You should go, Lyra. Don't force her," Kayla urged, her voice trembling slightly before she masked her own panic. She gently wrapped an arm around Delilah, rubbing her back in soothing circles. "You need to calm down even more than she does right now. Just go to work."

Lyra leaned heavily against the corridor wall, massaging her temples. She didn't want to work anymore.

What was the point of pushing so hard?

"Go on, Lyra. I've got things handled here."

Kayla continued her gentle coaxing. Surprisingly, the agitated Delilah began to settle, the wildness in her eyes softening into something more docile.

Lyra lowered her hand, fighting back the lump in her throat. "Kayla, please take good care of her. Don't leave her side for a second. I'll be back as soon as I can."

"I will. Don't worry."

Secretary Montgomery and the driver were already waiting outside.

Lyra slipped into the backseat, and the car slowly pulled away from the retreat.

For the entire hour-long drive, she sat frozen in a daze. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to turn the car around, abandon the contract, and forget about the company entirely.

The crisp scent of pine and wild grass filled the mountain air. The Serene Temple was tucked away deep within the misty woods, radiating a faint, peaceful aura.

Lyra stood at the base of the ancient stone stairs. She began the grueling climb, pausing on each step to bow her head in deep reverence.

With every grueling step she conquered, she repeated a silent prayer. Before she even realized it, hot tears were streaming down her face, blurring her vision.

She prayed for her ailing mother who had looked at her like a stranger, and for the crumbling legacy of Fairchild Holdings. For the first time in her life, she surrendered her faith to the heavens.

A light drizzle began to fall from the gray sky.

By the time she finally reached the top of the hundred-plus steep stairs and stood before the quiet, secluded temple, she was a mess. Her hair clung to her face, a mix of sweat and rain soaking into the fresh scratches on her skin.

The wooden doors were left slightly ajar, the faint sound of chanting drifting through the gap.

Lyra stepped inside, taking a seat on the prayer cushion before the altar. She slowly closed her eyes and clasped her trembling hands together.

Her mind emptied of everything but a desperate plea to whatever higher power was listening.

She prayed for divine protection, begging for her mother's health and safety.