Chapter 230

By the time I came to my senses, I was already on the rooftop. Mom stood just a few steps away, teetering on the edge. The wind cut across my face like a blade, stinging my eyes. It howled around us as if trying to pull both of us down with it. She was wearing a hospital gown, and her frail figure swayed in the wind like a leaf on the verge of being blown away. "Mom, what are you doing?" I screamed, my voice trembling with fear. "Come back! We can talk about everything!" Mom turned around. Her eyes were vacant, her face completely devoid of color. She looked at me. "Serena... I've let your father down. I've let you down..." "Mom, what are you talking about? You haven't let anyone down!" My voice was hoarse due to the harsh winds. "Mom! Please, come back. Don't stand there..." I cautiously stepped closer, every movement agonizingly slow as I was terrified the slightest disturbance might push her over the edge. "Serena..." Her voice was so faint, almost swallowed by the wind. "Don'