Charlotte's brows furrowed.
She waited for Maria to speak …
But the longer Maria hesitated, the heavier the weight on her chest grew, making it difficult for her.
"Madam Scott, Ms. Scott—she …"
"Maria," Charlotte snapped, unable to tolerate the delay any longer, "where is Clara? Why aren't you speaking properly?"
"She …"
"Is she fine?" Charlotte asked urgently. Something inside her twisted —an unsettling feeling, as if one of her children wasn't in the right state … not safe.
And it was Clara ... she was most scared about.
"Is she with you? Speak, Maria!"
Her voice wasn't particularly harsh, but the sharp pitch in it made Maria flinch on the other end of the call.
"She …" she stuttered again. However, this time, she forced herself to finish. "She … is with me."
Charlotte relaxed slightly.
But just as she did—
She heard Maria add,
"But she—"
"But she what?"
"She … she is in the hospital, Madam Scott," Maria said, her voice trembling.
