From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Adah’s mind was racing, her heart pounding in her chest.

If there were something wrong with the medicine she had given Karen, she would be a murderer.

She wished she had never let Karen take the medicine the night before.

What did she do?

Tears welled in her eyes as she rushed upstairs, pounding on the door. “Karen! Karen! Are you in there?” © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

The door was locked from the inside, and there was no response, no matter how long she knocked.

Without the key. Adah had no choice but to round up some house staff, ready to break the door down if necessary.

She then instructed the butler to summon Hancock.

Despite her panic, Adah managed to keep her orders clear and precise, a testament to her experience in handling crises.

The door was solid, and it took the effort of five servants several minutes to finally break it

open.

There lay Karen, asleep in bed, with a thin quilt draped over her.

The room was silent, with little indication of life.

Adah’s heart raced. “Karen?” she called out.

There was no response.

“Karen?” Adah’s voice grew louder, calling out again.

Still Karen did not stir.

Could it be..

Had the unthinkable happened?

Tears instantly sprang to Adah’s eyes as she threw herself onto Karen, embracing her. “Karen! Karen, can you hear me? Karen!”

Karen was jolted awake by the crying. She had thought it was still the middle of the night.

To her surprise, sunlight was streaming through the window.

It had been ages since she had seen such bright light, feeling like a blind person suddenly regaining his sight.

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Karen blinked in confusion, then turned to Adah, crying her heart out. “Adah, what’s the matter?”

Adah’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Ahl Karent Are you okay? I thought you were…”

“You thought what?” Karen asked, perplexed.

Adah clung to her, relief flooding through her, “Karen! You’re okay! You’re okay! You scared me to death!”

Seeing Adah’s reaction, Karen realized something was amiss and gently patted her back “Silly girl, what could happen to me?”

Adah sniffled. “You always get up by six in the morning, and it’s nearly ten now! I knocked, and you didn’t answer, I thought, I thought…”

“It’s nearly ten?” Karen was astonished, looking at Adah for confirmation.

Adah nodded. “Yes.”

Karen couldn’t believe she had slept until almost ten. She only remembered falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

She had finally slept soundly for the first time in twenty–three years.

Her eyes misted with joy. “Twenty–three years, Adah. I’ve waited for this day for twenty–three years. I finally got to sleep well! I feel like I’m filled with energy, thanks to Ann!”

Adah was incredulous. “Karen, you didn’t have insomnia last night?”

Karen’s insomnia was chronic, a nightly ordeal, and even sleeping pills barely made a difference, which was why she was used to rising early.

This Ann must know her stuff.

Adah had been skeptical, allowing Karen to try the medication, but she never expected such miraculous results. Just one dose had improved Karen’s sleep.

“It’s true!” Karen said tearfully. “I never knew what a good night’s sleep felt like after all these years!” Only someone who had just recovered from a critical illness could understand that feeling.

It wasn’t something easily comprehended by others.

Adah took Karen’s hand and said, “Karen, you must be famished after sleeping for that long. What are you in the mood to eat? I can ask the cook to prepare it for you.”