I felt a twinge of unease. "Atlas is getting in touch with the best doctor we can find right now, Mom. We'll take you to the hospital for another checkup soon. If everything checks out, I'll take you back to look around your old place tomorrow. You can still stay here since there’s people to look after you. It'll make me feel better too."She shook her head and did not speak. It looked like she was struggling to control her emotions."You know you can't rely on your son. How can you go back by yourself? I’ll worry about you." I suddenly understood what she was thinking. Could it be that she sensed her time was running out?"Let's go to the hospital for another checkup, then we can decide what to do, okay?" I tried to comfort her. I didn’t want her to worry too much.“I'm fine. I just want to go home. I miss it so much. Otherwise, please just do one thing for me. Find me a caregiver. I'll pay for it myself. I have the money." Grace held my hand, her expression filled with suppress
I did not expect to see Melanie already at the house when I arrived.When she saw me with the thermos and the caregiver, she immediately said sarcastically, "What is the meaning of this? Do you still consider yourself a daughter-in-law of the Murphy family? Didn't you take Grace away? Why did you bring her back? Were you trying to leave her at the hospital to end it all? You were scared she would die in your grand mansion, weren’t you?”She spoke without a shred of decency.I ignored her completely and went straight inside. I found Grace in bed in the master bedroom. Matthew was nowhere to be seen."Why are you being so stubborn, mom? You should stay in the hospital for a few days and get the full course of medication. It’ll be good for your health, and it’ll help with the pain," I scolded her. "Where's Matthew?""Don't blame him. It was my decision to come back here. I’m more comfortable at home, and I want to stay here for a few more days. Matthew has some business to attend to
I looked at him, helpless. "You’re really something, Matthew. She publicly went after your mom, and you're still defending her?"Maybe my words hurt Matthew's pride too much, or perhaps he saw that the neighbors could not handle the situation. Without asking what had happened, he yelled at me. "I didn’t see her going after my mom. What I did see was you hitting her. You've simply gone too far!"Matthew embraced Melanie, presenting himself as a real macho man protecting his little woman. "Chloe, this is a family matter for us. Get out. Don't act like you’re better than us!"The neighbors were all in shock and began criticizing him. "Matthew, are you insane? Aren't you going to ask what happened?""Exactly! He's a heartless son. How could he allow someone to mistreat his mom?""Are you really her son? You're actually protecting this animal when your mom is in such shape?""I'd say the beating was too light!"Matthew directed all his anger at me. "Chloe, this is what you want
I exclaimed, "Mom!"Just then, Melanie yelled, "She's just faking it! That old hag! Serves her right!"I crawled over, grabbed Grace, and shook her. "Mom... wake up. Don't scare me! Mom..."No matter how many times I called her, she wouldn't open her eyes. I shouted to the people inside, "Call an ambulance! Quickly! Mom, wake up! Don't scare me! I'll take you to the hospital..."I was frantic. I couldn't bear the thought of her dying like this. I reached out to check, and her breath was faint.Matthew stood there dumbfounded, staring blankly at his mother. She was lying on the ground, unresponsive.Meanwhile, Grace’s forehead continued to bleed. Despite the chaos, I couldn't care less about my own appearance.I searched for my bag, panicking. The bewildered bodyguard finally reacted, helping me support Grace.Finally, I took out my phone and called Atlas. As soon as he answered, I cried uncontrollably. "Atlas, please help me find a doctor. Grace might not make it! Get the bes
My words caught everyone's attention, and they looked at me in disbelief."Call the cops?"The neighbor I had entrusted seemed to grasp the situation. He immediately picked up his phone and made the call.I kept my gaze on Melanie, who stood coldly and impatiently beside Matthew. After a while, I picked up my phone and called the cops.Before they arrived, Atlas had arranged for us to see the body. Matthew didn't move. He stayed on his knees, wailing, refusing to look up."Matthew, go see your mother!" I said it coldly, but he remained motionless. "This is your last chance."His hands on the ground tightened, but he didn't lift his head."Grandma... I want Grandma!" Ava's cries were heartbreaking. After some thought, I stood up slowly and headed inside. Ivanna and Lauren stood by my side. "We'll accompany you.""I want to see Grandma!" Ava cried. "Mommy, I want to see Grandma too!"I smiled sadly and said, "Be good! Mommy will go for you. Grandma wouldn't want you to cry."
All eyes turned to the furious Matthew. An elderly neighbor spoke up. "What are you trying to do? You're a monster.""Shut up!" Matthew roared, angrily approaching while pointing his finger at me. "Chloe, what more do you want? My mom is dead... Dead!"He let out a hysterical yell, then angrily advanced. However, when he saw Atlas standing beside me, he abruptly stopped. He glared at me and continued, "How dare you take her away? Do you want to ruin my family? I still have to handle the funeral. She has to stay to handle the funeral!"My gaze was icy as I said, "Your mom doesn't want to see her."I left the hospital with my family, leaving Matthew shouting behind.Back home, my mom asked, "What about Grace’s funeral? What should we do?"I glanced at my mother, leaning weakly into her embrace. "Mom, we've already sent her off. She has a son. I've done what I could and what I shouldn't do, too. I have a clear conscience. It's enough now."Everyone understood what I meant and nod
I didn't know whether to admire Grace's shrewdness or blame her for being confused. She had been suppressed and bullied by the Murphys her entire life, but it seemed she had also become shrewd. What a wise move she made.But what difference did it make? Her fate couldn't be changed now.I glanced at the date on the report and couldn't help but chuckle.Grace knew the outcome well in advance—even before she arrived to see Ava. After seeing the results, I assumed she realized the pain and longing she felt for Ava. She ultimately made the best decision for her final journey.I didn’t want to consider what would happen if the results on that paper were different. People make mistakes, and this may be her way of making amends.Her life was pitiful, and even in death, she had nothing. Perhaps the only things left were the ones in front of me.I reached for the bank book, chuckled, and slowly opened it.When I saw the set of numbers, I was genuinely surprised. The amount was a consider
I hadn’t seen Matthew since Grace’s passing. He appeared ashen, evidently worn out and not well-rested. He seemed defeated and didn’t mince his words, “Let Melanie go. My family and I have laid my mom to rest.“Melanie didn’t attend the funeral as you wished. It’s been a week now, so you should let your anger go.”I could tell Matthew was emotional, but I scoffed, wondering what he meant by “as you wished.” Still, I glanced at him indifferently and refused to retort. I hadn’t felt the need to engage with Matthew since his mom’s passing.When he noticed my indifference, his tone turned colder, “We have a child together, so how could you watch a son cry his mom daily? What gave you the right to denounce me so bitterly?”Matthew’s expression was righteous as he struggled to contain his emotions. I calmly looked at him and spoke distantly, “You came to the wrong place. You shouldn’t be here if you want your wife to return. Go to the cops instead. Melanie’s release isn’t up to me.”Mat