The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1757

Eunice sat at the edge of the bed, stirring a bowl of medicine with a concerned look on her face. As she saw Louisa bolt upright, she asked in a gentle tone, "Awake now? Bad dream?"

Gasping for breath and still shaken, Louisa surveyed her surroundings, realizing she was sitting in her bed, with Eunice by her side. The bedroom was bathed in a warm, yellow glow, and it was pitch dark outside.

"How did I fall asleep." Louisa's mind was still haunted by the image of her daughter being bullied, and her voice trembled as though she hadn't quite escaped the clutches of the nightmare.

"You fainted from stress. The doctor prescribed you some medication. It's a bit hot, but you can drink it in a bit," Eunice said as she set down the bowl and gently rubbed Louisa's back. "What nightmare did you have?"

"I dreamed that Bella was being tormented by that old hag." Louisa's voice cracked, and tears welled up in her eyes once again. Even though it was just a dream, the mere thought of Bella actually having been mistreated by that woman in real life filled her with self-loathing. She despised herself for not seeing through the old woman's facade sooner, for not protecting her own daughter, for letting her child suffer right under her nose.

The more she thought about it, the more sorrowful she became, tears falling like pearls off a string.

"Stop blaming yourself," Eunice whispered soothingly. "What's done is done. You have to look forward. You treated that heartless wretch like your own daughter; of course, you wouldn't suspect her of doing something so vile behind your back. Who would think so ill of their own child without reason, linking them with poisoning or hiring a hitman."

Louisa's face was streaked with tears. Because they had trusted that wretch so much, based on past impressions of her innocence and kindness, they ended up allowing their own daughter to be wronged, nearly losing her life.

"Where's my phone?" Louisa choked out, "I want to call Bella."

"Her phone's broken, call Romeo instead." Eunice navigated through her contacts, found Romeo's number, and handed over the phone. "I'll let Kenneth know you're awake, so he won't worry."

"Where is he now?" Louisa lifted her gaze to ask.

"He's just like you, heartbroken and angry. Bard's trying to console him." Eunice stood up. "I'll be right back."

Louisa nodded and dialed Romeo's number.