Hearing this, Victoria asked Lara gently, "What happened to you? Did… did something traumatize you?" Her mind flashed back to that day at the hospital…
Lara shook her head. She looked so fragile and pitiful that Victoria's heart suddenly ached for her.
"Is it because of Ned that you fell ill?" Victoria asked in a soft voice. "Tell me, sweetheart. I can't help if you don't say anything."
Lara remained silent.
"Lara, Aunt Victoria is asking you a question. Answer her!" Isabella urged her daughter.
Lara stared blankly at Victoria, tears suddenly streaming down her face. "Auntie… did I do something wrong?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? You're so young—what could you possibly have done wrong?"
"Then why does Ned hate me so much?" Lara cried even harder. "He won't say more than one word to me, won't listen to anything I say. He only wants to be with Sophie."
