Chapter 161: Chapter Hundred And Sixty One
Knock...
Knock..
Knock.
A sharp, insistent knocking echoed through the small room. "I’m coming," Doris called out, her voice slightly muffled.
She hurried to the door, a mix of apprehension and anticipation swirling within her. When she opened it, her breath caught in her throat. Standing before her was Suzy, her face pale but resolute.
"Milady," Doris breathed, a mixture of shock and fear and a hint of relief in her eyes.
Suzy stepped inside, her gaze sweeping over the room. She walked over to the bed and sat down heavily, her eyes falling on a plate on the table. It was clear that Doris had just finished a al. Suzy looked at Doris, her expression serious. "Let
get straight to the point," she said, her voice low. "What did you do to your lady?"
Doris flinched, her eyes darting away. A single word escaped her lips: "You... rembered."
Suzy’s gaze hardened. "What did you do to Cassandra?" she repeated, her voice firr this ti.
Doris’s eyes filled with tears, her lower lip trembling. "I... I killed my lady, milady," she confessed, the words choked with emotion.
Suzy’s breath hitched. "You... killed her." she whispered, the words barely audible. "And... were you the one poisoning ?"
Doris nodded slowly, tears streaming down her face. "Yes," she whispered, her voice filled with sha.
Suzy’s eyes flashed with anger. "Was it the sa person who told you to kill Cassandra who told you to poison ?"
Doris nodded again. "Yes," she confird, her voice trembling. "I was paid to kill my lady."
Suzy’s anger intensified. "How much was it worth," she asked, her voice laced with bitterness, "to kill your lady? How much could they possibly pay you to betray soone you served and cared for?"
Doris’s voice rose in desperation. "I needed the money!" she exclaid, her voice cracking. "Because of how the family hates Lady Cassandra, they don’t... they don’t regard . They don’t pay
a quarter of what they pay the maids who serve Lady Isabella. I was the only maid serving her, and they still treated
that way! Sotis, they didn’t even pay
at all!" Her voice broke, and she sobbed openly.
Suzy was silent for a mont, absorbing Doris’s words. The desperation in her voice was palpable but it wasn’t enough excuse.
Doris continued, her voice filled with remorse. "But... but when he found out she was still alive, just... not rembering anything... he threatened to kill
for not finishing the job, he gave
these leaves," she said, gesturing towards a small pouch on the table. "He told
to make tea with them. He assured
it wouldn’t kill you, milady. He said it would only make you... forget."
Suzy’s eyes narrowed. "Who is he?" she demanded.
Just as Doris was about to reveal more information, she clutched at her stomach, a look of intense pain contorting her face. She gasped, clutching her abdon harder. Her face shrouded in agony, and she began to vomit blood, splattering the floor, her body convulsing violently. Dread washed over Suzy as she realized what had happened. Doris had been poisoned. The food she had just eaten...
She rushed to Doris’s side, gathering her into her arms. "Doris! Doris, look at ! Don’t... close your eyes," she pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes.
Doris managed a weak smile, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. "I’m... I’m paying for my sins, milady," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Is anyone outside?!" Suzy shouted, her voice laced with panic. "Call Dr. Abernathy! Imdiately!" The guard stationed outside Doris’s room rushed to obey.
Suzy turned her attention back to Doris, her heart breaking. She cradled her in her arms, her own hands and dress now stained with blood. "Doris, please... hold on," she begged, her voice choked with sobs.
Doris raised a trembling hand to Suzy’s cheek, gently wiping away a tear. "Don’t cry, milady Suzy," she whispered, her eyes filled with regret. "I’m being punished... for what I did to my lady."
Suzy sobbed quietly, her tears falling onto Doris’s blood-soaked hand. "You were... you were like a sister to , Doris," she whispered. "You understood
when no one else did."
Doris spoke, how voice low. "You... you protected
too. I... I don’t deserve your forgiveness... or Lady Cassandra’s."
Doris coughed, a harsh, bloody sound. "The person... who instructed ," she gasped, her voice growing weaker, "he’s a... a rich lord. I didn’t see his face... but he wears a ring... the sa ring... I’ve seen on His Grace’s finger... He must be... related to him... I think Lady Cassandra knows sothing about him that’s why he wanted her dead."
Doris coughed again, a gurgling sound this ti. "Please... forgive ," she pleaded, her eyes fluttering closed.
Suzy held her tighter, her tears falling freely now. "Hold on, Doris! The doctor is coming! Just... just a little longer," she begged, her voice filled with desperation.
Doris’s eyes flickered open one last ti. A faint smile touched her lips. "You were... kind to ," she whispered, her voice fading. "Thank you... for everything."
Doris coughed again, her eyes fluttering closed. "Please... forgive ," she whispered, her voice fading into silence. Her hand fell limp in Suzy’s.
Suzy, her face streaked with tears and blood, held Doris close, her body shaking with grief. "Doris?" she whispered, her voice choked with sobs. "Doris, no... Don’t leave ." But Doris was gone.
She cradled Doris’s lifeless body in her arms, her heart shattered. A piercing scream tore through the air, raw and filled with anguish. "Doris! Co back, please!"
Suzy cried, her voice cracking with grief. "I promise... I’m not angry anymore! I forgive you! Please... please co back!" She clung to Doris’s lifeless body, her tears falling onto her friend’s blood-soaked dress. The reality of Doris’s death, the finality of it, was a crushing blow. The words of forgiveness, spoken too late, echoed in the silent room, a testant to Suzy’s grief.
Minutes ticked by, each one heavy with sorrow. The door to the room burst open, and Ryan rushed in, followed closely by Dr. Abernathy. Ryan’s face was filled with worry as he took in the scene before him. He gently pulled Suzy away from Doris, his arms wrapping around her trembling body.
"Cassandra," he murmured softly, his voice filled with concern. "Cassandra, co away."
Suzy struggled against his hold, her cries intensifying. "Doris! No! She can’t... she can’t be gone!" She reached out towards Doris, her fingers brushing against her cold hand. "Doris, please... I forgive you!"
Dr. Abernathy knelt beside Doris, his expression grave. He examined her quickly, his fingers checking her pulse. He then carefully inspected the remnants of the al Doris had eaten, his brow furrowing. He turned to Ryan, his voice grim. "She’s been poisoned," he confird, his words hanging heavy in the air.
Ryan’s face paled. He held Suzy tighter, his own heart aching. He knew how close Suzy and Doris had been. This loss would be devastating for her.
Suzy, still struggling in Ryan’s embrace, her voice raw with grief. "Doris! Please co back!" she scread, her cries echoing through the room. "I forgive you!"
She buried her face in Ryan’s shoulder, her body shaking with uncontrollable sobs. The weight of the betrayal, the pain of losing her friend ... it was all too much to bear.
Ryan held her close, his own eyes filled with sadness. He knew there were no words that could ease her pain. He simply held her, offering comfort and support in the face of her overwhelming grief. He felt her body convulse with each sob, her pain a tangible thing. He stroked her hair gently, whispering soothing words, even though he knew they were inadequate.
The emotional strain, combined with the shock of the situation, took its toll on Suzy. As she wept in Ryan’s arms, her body suddenly went limp. She fainted, collapsing against him.
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