That day, Ava told Grace to stop bullying me. I knew Grace wouldn’t have forgotten it. Indeed, she paled and gluped.I continued, “Also, stop saying this house belongs to your family. Do you know where your family would be without me and my company?! I was kind enough not to take away your current house.“You can still be Ava’s grandmother if you behave. However, I’ll shut you off from her if you insist on harassing me.” I looked at her sternly and understood something. I pitied her misfortune but resented her unwillingness to compromise.Grace stared at me with misty eyes and remained silent for a while. Finally, she cleared her throat and asked, “Then why did you send Ava to Celestis Island? Why do you always seem to send her away whenever I visit?”I replied, “It has nothing to do with you. Ava and I have other things happening, so you should understand that our lives have nothing to do with your family. Can’t we arrange our own lives and schedules? Me sending Ava to Celestis Is
Her expression weighed heavily on me. I asked with concern, "What's bothering you?""My body... It's not holding up. I'm always in pain, so I can't sleep at night." She looked at me helplessly, her voice barely audible. "The pain, it's just...here...""Where does it hurt?" My eyes narrowed, pressing for details."Right here." She pointed to her abdomen, gently patting it."You haven't told Matthew?" I pressed on, my composure wavering. Indeed, Grace seemed much thinner than before."He's...busy." Grace's words sounded feeble."How long has this been going on?" Her lips trembled. "It's not a big deal, just trouble sleeping. I keep thinking about Ava. I can't be there for her, and it's eating at me. I'm afraid I won't have much time left to watch over her." My heart ached. After a while, I said, "Take a seat and have some water. I'll go upstairs and be right back.""No need. Since Ava isn't home, I'll go," she said.I ignored what she was saying and went straight upstairs. At
My head buzzed. Late-stage liver cancer?My hands turned cold. I was concerned but never imagined it would be this severe. How was I going to tell her?I sat there blankly as the doctor talked about the treatment plan. He finally sighed and shook his head, saying there was little hope.I was no longer Grace's daughter-in-law, but she was still Ava's grandmother. She was the last person in the Murphy family who truly cared about Ava, and time was running out. All I could see was Ava tightly embracing Grace. After all, we had lived together for many years. No matter how she treated me, those memories of living together were good.I didn't even know how I left the doctor's office. If Grace hadn't seen me come out and called my name, I might have forgotten she was waiting outside."Chlo, what did the doctor say?" She stared at me intently, looking a bit worried."He didn't say much. I knew the doctor, so we talked for a while. You'll be fine. He gave you some medicine and advised y
When I got to Ardora Construction, I took a moment to compose myself, neatly arranging the documents on Grace. With everything in hand, I stepped out of the car and walked straight in.This was my second time here. The first was to request my daughter's school transfer, which caused quite a commotion throughout the building. Who knew what awaited me this time? Whenever I showed up, things were bound to get lively. Whenever I met Melanie, I was in for another fierce battle.I couldn't imagine what family situation had pushed Grace to develop liver cancer. It must have been quite a mess. Melanie and Abby were not the type to back down easily.I wondered how Matthew could allow his mother to be mistreated. If it were my mother, I’d demand justice. It was truly too much.However, it was also Grace's fault for living her whole life so passively. Abby had ruined her life.Would Matthew treat me this way if I were in her shoes? But then again, I couldn't bring myself to do what she did
Melanie rushed to the desk. "Chloe, what do you mean? What hospital? What did you do to her?"Everyone turned to me. It seemed they genuinely believed I had harmed the old lady.I looked at Matthew. "You'd better take these documents and consult at the hospital."I dug through the papers for the doctor's card and handed it to Matthew. "This is the attending physician, a specialist. If you have any questions, you can ask him. Your mother was diagnosed with late-stage liver cancer."The news shocked everyone as a collective gasp filled the room."What did you say?" Matthew stood up in disbelief. "What? Who... Liver cancer?""Chloe, you're creating trouble out of nothing. She was perfectly fine, and here you are, cursing her." Melanie was relentlessly shouting at me. Then she turned to Matthew. "You believe whatever she says? She's up to no good!"Matthew regarded me with suspicion."Believe it or not, I've already taken her to see the doctor and got her prescribed medication. I
Matthew roared, “Stop!”I looked at his handsome face, now twisted with anger and a hint of helplessness. "Shut up, all of you!"I cursed silently, wondering why he had not acted sooner."Matthew, are you blind? Can't you see she hit me? She's been tormenting me to no end, right under your nose. Are you just going to stand there?" Melanie took cover behind Johnson, angrily shouting, "Johnson, grow a pair!"I pulled Johnson aside, glaring at Melanie without backing down. "I was the one who hit you, and if you dare to cross me again, I'll do it again!""I dare you to!" Melanie yelled at me, her neck straining."Try me!" I stepped forward. I didn't dare touch her back when she was pregnant. Now, I couldn't care less. If I could slap her again, I wouldn’t hold back.The people Matthew intended to dismiss had not left. They were all watching the scene unfold with amusement and shock.Perhaps no one expected me to slap Melanie in front of everyone. I noticed some satisfied expres
“You’re going off the rails, Chloe!” Melanie retorted, “You no longer have a say in my family!”“Yes, I’ve cut ties with your family,” I admitted, then turned to Matthew to continue persuading him, “Everyone here should know how our marriage ended, right?“I could’ve ignored your family’s troubles because even your mom watched you assault me without interfering. Your whole family is heartless and selfish.”The crowd exchanged glances, and even Keegan looked at Matthew disdainfully. Meanwhile, Matthew appeared helpless as I continued, “Your mom’s condition saddens me. That’s why I took her to the hospital. I don’t have time to ‘sow discord’ like your wife said.“Melanie thinks I want to return to your family? Yeah, right! I want to thank you for cheating because it allowed me to escape your family. I’m lucky to be far from disgusting monsters like you. I pray my daughter doesn’t end up as ungrateful and heartless as you.”“That’s enough!” Matthew looked at me and slumped into his c
When I arrived at the hospital, I noticed the increased security in the VIP ward. Guards stood every few steps along the corridor leading to Ivanna’s ward. I felt uneasy and wondered if something had happened.I quickly approached the ward and saw Lauren inside, but Jared wasn’t around. Ivanna was awake and turned to me when I entered. Her voice was weak, asking, “Why are you so late?”“Ugh, don't even ask,” I complained as I recounted what happened with Grace.Ivanna and Lauren were surprised, and the latter clicked her tongue disapprovingly. “Tsk tsk. Grace’s past misfortune probably led to this, and Melanie wants to collect her debts.”Ivanna sneered, “None of the Murphys deserve pity. Chlo, don’t go soft-hearted again. You should know how pointless it is.”I understood her reasoning for saying that. After all, she had witnessed the Murphys’ cruelty toward me and Ava.I put down my bag and approached Ivanna’s bedside, asking, “What’s with the increased security outside?”Laur