Third person's POV
"No!" Andrea let out a heart-wrenching cry.
Every step had been horribly wrong. It was all her fault for being blinded by love in the past, leading her children and pack members into such a miserable situation.
Family bonds were shattered. The once close companions became strangers now.
Derek was true to his word. He cruelly destroyed Elena's hands and legs, leaving her a helpless invalid.
Andrea stayed by Elena's side from then on as if trying to make up for the responsibilities she had failed to fulfill.
She tirelessly took care of Elena's daily needs, combed her hair, and fed her.
She wanted to make up for all the care that Elena had missed in her childhood.
However, for Elena, there was no hope for the future.
To her, living and dying made no significant difference.
In her whole life, she had only got a fleeting warmth from Klein. So, she had long been accustomed to the cold and ugly side of human nature.
The sudden, meticulous care from Andrea left her somewhat at a loss.
The Luna, who once despised her, and the Alpha Derek, who was once gentle, had wholly reversed roles.
Derek now loathed her to the extreme, while Andrea was as gentle as if she had become another person, eating and living with her every day, even wiping her body.
At first, Elena was like a soulless doll, silent and seemingly not painful. But she didn't smile, as well.
It wasn't until three days later that she unexpectedly spoke to Andrea, "Why?"
This sudden voice startled Andrea, but then she was immediately filled with joy, "Elena, are you talking to me?"
The joy on her face confused Elena even more, "Why are you treating me like this? Didn't you used to hate me?"
"I..."
Andrea met Elena's curious gaze, her heart aching more and more.
She had always wished for a daughter and had always treated Elena as one. How could she hate her?
Her hands and feet were broken, yet she made no sound.
There was only one possibility - this child had suffered more painful injuries in the past, making subsequent injuries seem less severe.
Like seeing the vast ocean, how could one be impressed by a mountain stream?
Andrea sobbed as she embraced her, "Because I love you."
"Love?"
Elena still found it hard to believe. Andrea gently explained, "I'm sorry, it's all my fault. Back then, I shouldn't have transferred my resentment towards Ambrose onto you all. I really lost my mind."
She didn't know she was poisoned, leading to her mental disorder and a series of extreme actions.
Even after finding out the cause, it was too late.
The bitter fruit she sowed, she had to taste herself, leaving an indelible psychological shadow on her children.
"I was poisoned. The poison numbed my brain nerves, causing severe mental illness. When I had an episode, I would hurt myself and you all. After so many years of recuperation, my illness is gone, but I've lost you all forever. I don't dare to ask for your forgiveness. I just hope to use the rest of my life to take care of you and make up for the harm I've caused you."
Andrea's tears fell on Elena's neck, "Elena, I'm sorry for making you suffer."
"Do you..." Elena's pupils trembled violently, her voice trembling as she said, "Do you really love me?"
In her life, all she had longed for was "love."
"Silly girl, how could I not love you?"
Elena's tears fell like a broken dam, "I've been waiting for this for so many years."