Chapter 108
Chapter 108
Jennifer had been shouldering the blame for more than her fair share.
At the dinner table, she served Mary some vegetable salad with the serving tongs.
Mary’s appetite had been waning, but she didn’t let it show in front of them. She tasted a bit of the tenderly braised fish, nodding in approval. “This fish is nice. Give some to our Anne, too.”
So, Jennifer obliged, serving some to Leanne.
Leanne responded politely, “Thank you, Mrs. Richardson.”
Mary’s hearing was as sharp as ever, her response quick, “Why have we moved on to formalities now?”
There was a palpable pause at the table, all with varying expressions.
Mary glanced around, and her displeasure was evident. “What’s with all these faces?”
Jennifer put down her utensils, ready to spill the beans. “Mary, the truth is, Curtis and Leanne…”
“Cough! Cough!” Mary suddenly erupted into a fit of cough. It was so severe that Leanne. immediately rose to pat her back gently. Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.
After a moment, the coughing subsided, and Mary seemed to have expelled all her vitality, appearing extremely weak.
“I can’t go on much longer… can’t even enjoy a meal. Don’t know how many days I’ve got left.”
When even eating became a challenge, it was a sign that the Grim Reaper was lurking nearby.
Tears welled up in Leanne’s eyes. “Don’t be silly. We’ll take it slow. How about I get your some fish soup?”
But Mary couldn’t stomach a single sip.
The mood in the dining room plummeted into a grim silence. After a beat, Maddox said solemnly, “Let’s get Mom back to her room to chill out.”
They escorted Mary to her room, where she clutched Leanne’s hand. “Stay the night, dear. Keep me company. Your room with Curtis is all ready for you.”
Face pressed against Mary’s hand, Leanne nodded. “I’ll stay with you.”
The number of people in this world who genuinely cared for her was no more than five.
Leanne stayed with Mary for a while, only slipping out once Mary was asleep.
Maddox, Jennifer, and Phillip sat in the living room. Curtis was absent, whereabouts
unknown.
“What did the doctor say?”
Phillip had just gotten off the phone with the caregiver in charge of Mary, his brow furrowed, “Grandma had a relapse recently and underwent surgery without telling us. The doctor said she might have another six months if lucky.”
If not…
Jennifer was visibly troubled. “We can’t keep Curtis and Leanne’s situation from her
forever.”
Phillip was silent for a moment before replying, “I just called off an engagement, and Curtis is getting divorced. It’s all bad news. And telling her would only upset her more.”
Maddox, who rarely smoked at home, lit a cigarette, his expression grim and silent.
As Leanne approached, all eyes turned to her.
Phillip asked, “Is Grandma asleep?”
Leanne confirmed, “She dozed off for a bit.”
Maddox’s brow remained knitted as he finished his cigarette and finally spoke, “Given Mom’s condition, we can’t risk any more stress. Let’s wait until she’s stronger before. breaking the news about you and Curtis. Her health is the priority. Everything else can be put on hold.”
Leanne nodded. “I understand.”
Still looking worried, Jennifer rested her head in her hands but could only sigh.
“Dad, Mom, you should get some rest.”
After Maddox and Jennifer retreated to their room, only Leanne and Phillip remained in the living room.
Looking equally exhausted, Phillip apologized to Leanne, “Anne, I’m sorry you’ll have to endure this a little longer.”
Leanne said nothing. She was as unsure as they were about how Mary would react to the truth. She didn’t want to take that risk, either.
In her desperation, she wondered if her divorce from Curtis had broken some unspoken cosmic balance, causing Mary’s condition to flare up again. The timing was uncanny.
After a pause, she asked, “Phillip, why did you cancel your engagement with Ms. Watson?” “There’s no particular reason,” Phillip answered wearily, “We just had different pursuits.”
“Oh.”
“Get some rest,” Phillip advised before heading upstairs.
The Watson family of Northbrook was a more suitable match for the Richardson family than the Wright family ever was. The union of the two families was a veritable
powerhouse alliance.
Their engagement had been set after Leanne and Curtis’ marriage, lasting over two years. without leading to a wedding, and then, surprisingly, it was called off.
These were marriages of convenience, alliances forged on family and influence, with little regard for affection. Whatever the reason for the canceled engagement, it was a mystery.
Leanne pondered for a moment but did not conclude. It wasn’t her concern.
While turning to retreat to her room, she spotted Curtis standing at the patio door.
He seemed to have been there for some time, as if he’d just returned from somewhere, his coat carrying the outside chill. His indifferent eyes fixed on Leanne, darker than the night
itself.