Chapter 963: Chapter 963: It’s All My Fault
"Yes, yes, yes, she even said she was dieting! How could I have been so, so dumb to believe her words."
Chad Thompson was also very anxious as he spoke, even going so far as to slap his own forehead.
If only he had encouraged his younger sister to eat, perhaps what happened now wouldn’t have occurred.
"Being picky is only a secondary issue, given Grace’s current physical condition, her heart disease was bound to happen sooner or later."
Although Vincent’s heart ached, he still revealed the harsh reality to Charlotte Thompson.
"Why, how could Grace have developed heart disease..." Yet, such a result was still too much for Charlotte to accept.
She couldn’t imagine her child suffering from such an ailment.
"There are many kinds of congenital heart diseases. If it’s not due to genetic inheritance, it’s very likely that exposure to certain drugs or radiation during the mother’s conception process damaged the child’s heart development."
Vincent, being an internist, was very knowledgeable about these issues.
"So it’s all my fault, it’s because of me that Grace turned out like this... It’s all my fault..."
Charlotte Thompson covered her cheeks with her hands, whispering to herself.
The feelings of self-blame, helplessness, and regret surged over her like a tide, threatening to engulf her entirely.
How had she managed to miss the signs for so long?
"Charlotte, don’t talk like that," Vincent said in a soothing tone.
Charlotte’s teeth were chattering as she straightened her back and said to Vincent, "How is Grace right now? I want to see her."
Vincent naturally wouldn’t refuse Charlotte’s request; he nodded and took her to the ward where Grace was transferred.
As Charlotte entered the ward and saw Grace lying on the bed, her heart felt as if it were being crushed with pain.
Charlotte pulled away from Justin Battleson’s assisting hand and stumbled towards Grace’s bed.
"Grace..." Charlotte knelt beside Grace’s bed, very carefully clasping her little hand in hers.
Charlotte now wished more than anything to transfer all her child’s pain onto herself.
Her daughter was only five years old, so why did she have to suffer from such a disease?
"Grace..."
Gazing at Grace’s weak breathing, Charlotte’s already wan face grew even more sorrowful.
"I’m not a responsible mother. I’ve failed my children..."
Tears streamed down through her fingers, spreading moisture on the cuffs and collar of her clothes.
It was just like in the beginning – if the members of the Thompson family hadn’t told her, she wouldn’t even have known that she was pregnant.
"Charlotte, don’t say that."
Justin looked at Charlotte’s self-blaming figure with a pained heart.
Seeing this, Vincent quickly said, "Charlotte, don’t talk like that. You’ve always taken care of these kids earnestly; how can you say you’re irresponsible?"
Justin’s gaze briefly passed over Vincent as soon as he finished speaking, but then immediately returned to Charlotte.
This doctor named Vincent seemed too familiar with Charlotte.
But what concerned Justin more was Charlotte’s current emotional state.
"It’s all my fault, all my fault... I simply haven’t taken good care of the children, I’ve let down Grace, let down all the children..."
Charlotte kept shaking her head, her thoughts drowning in endless self-reproach.
Just like before, when she faced the aggressive Ross Family, she hadn’t protected her other children, Jack and Chad, either.
What right did she have to be a mother to anyone?
"I don’t deserve it... I’m not worthy..."
Charlotte’s recent work pressure was immense, and with the shock she had received today, her emotions naturally spiraled out of control.
She hung her head in defeat, and even let go of the hand she was holding, Grace’s.