Chapter 14

Elise was carried off the plane by her brother, Cyrus. Her parents, John Cullen and Helen Ackerman, were already waiting at the airport. When they saw Elise looking so pale and frail in Cyrus' arms, tears immediately filled their eyes. They had cherished and spoiled their daughter like a precious gem since she was little. How had she become so weak and fragile in just a few years? Elise had initially felt embarrassed being carried off the plane at her age, but the moment she saw her parents, all her emotions vanished. All that remained was an overwhelming wave of sorrow and longing. "Dad, Mom," she whispered with a choked voice. Her frail body trembled, making her parents' tears fall even harder. Even Cyrus' eyes reddened. "Elise is very weak right now," Helen said as she wiped her tears. "Let's take her to the hospital for a full checkup. I'll have Lucy make Elise's favorite soup so she can drink it after the tests." Helen quickly called their helper, Lucy Jones. On the other e