Chapter 873
Barrett left Arcane Sanctum in a daze. Ivy stepped in and asked, "Sir, why did you say so much to him?" She was confused. Her mentor had always harbored a deep disdain for the Warren family; he rarely acknowledged them. Yet, Sebastian had spent his break time trying to reason with Barrett.
Sebastian sighed softly. "I don't want the world to think Madam Sinclair was foolish for marrying her daughter to him. While it's true, I don't want to hear others say it." He stood, placing a piece of charcoal in the brazier to warm his hands.
"Besides," he added, "he's not truly wicked. He can tell right from wrong when it counts. General Wyatt lost an arm saving him. If Barrett doesn't wake up and continues to be led astray by his mother, that lost arm will be a tragic injustice."
"Is there something else?" Ivy felt there was more. When Sebastian loathed someone, he wouldn't waste his breath speaking to them.
Sebastian's gaze darkened. "Don't ask. I hope it won't be necessary."
Barrett returned home empty-handed. Everyone had prepared for this outcome. After so many failed attempts to obtain the medicine, what could he do differently? Moreover, Sebastian despised him, making success even less likely.
Rebecca was still conscious, aware her son had gone to seek the medicine. A flicker of hope remained in her heart. Sure enough, Barrett returned with a small wooden box. She recognized it immediately—the box containing the Snowdrop Pills.
Her heart raced. "Did you… manage to get it?"
Barrett hid the bitterness in his eyes and instructed, "Bring a small cup of hot water to prepare the medicine." Tara, knowing the situation, followed his orders. Once the medicine was brewed, Rebecca couldn't wait to drink it. However, the moment the liquid touched her tongue, she realized something was wrong. The taste was completely different.
Snowdrop Pills had a faint aroma of Evergreen Root and a refreshing taste. Rebecca, having consumed them for so long, could easily discern even the slightest difference. This was unlike anything she was used to.
She gasped and knocked the medicine away. "No… This isn't it!"
"Mom!" Barrett's voice was heavy with concern. "This medicine was prescribed by another physician. It's meant to treat your illness. It may not be as effective as Snowdrop Pills, but it should help you feel a little better."
"I don't want it!" Rebecca seethed, becoming more breathless. "Only Snowdrop Pills… only Snowdrop Pills work!"
"Madam Rebecca, don't be unreasonable. This medicine is quite expensive too," Tara pleaded through her tears.
"All of you are useless!" Her gaze swept the room. "Where's Serena? Call her back. The Marquis of Ironridge's family can buy them!"
"If she wanted to come back, she would have. We've sent people to escort her several times, but she refuses," Barrett replied, his heart heavy with pain. Yet, as the pain piled on, he felt himself growing numb, replaced by a rising irritation. How had Carissa managed to care for someone so ill for a year without complaint? Even as Rebecca's son, he felt utterly drained.
"Useless! All of you are useless!" Rebecca's anger flared. The dull pain in her chest intensified, making it hard to breathe. She gasped, struggling for air, her voice rising in desperate moans, "Help… help me."
Barrett sent for the physician, who had visited several times and had long since determined Rebecca wouldn't make it to the New Year. Her survival this long was a testament to her tenacity.
After the examination, the physician spoke with them. "It's only a matter of days now. Prepare for what comes next. She will suffer more. The difficulty in breathing may lead to hallucinations, and she might say strange things. Don't be alarmed if she claims to see ghosts. There's no need for a prescription; it would be pointless. Taking medicine will only cause more suffering."