Web Fic
Chapter 51
Grandma Catherine watched as James remained silent, with a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. She spoke again, and her voice trailed off into the quiet room. “Mira brought over a bunch of groceries to see me first thing this morning. Only, she didn’t expect to run into her foster mother… My daughter’s always been harsh, never had a soft spot for Mira. She said some really hurtful things, so the poor child didn’t even stay for a full hour before my daughter drove her away.”
“She must’ve been angry, and that’s why she didn’t come herself.” Tears welled up in Grandma Catherine’s eyes as she clung to James‘ arm, refusing to let go as if releasing him would mean losing the only listener she had left.
James observed Catherine, who was sinking into a pit of guilt, and pieced together the events. No wonder Mira had asked him to deliver the package.
However, Mira, who was wise beyond her years, didn’t seem like someone easily upset.
When Grandma Catherine’s emotions had settled a bit, James said gently, “Don’t worry too much. Mira probably just didn’t want to bump into your daughter again. That’s likely why she asked me to bring these things to you.” Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.
Grandma Catherine paused, “Really?”
James nodded. His inherently cool demeanor and deep eyes exuded a persuasive sincerity.
The uneasy and pained feelings that had clouded Grandma Catherine’s heart began to dissipate. Her gaze fell upon the wooden box James had placed on the coffee table. She stood up and walked over, picking up the box without much regard for James‘ presence. She pressed the latch on the side, opening it to reveal the contents. A warm smile spread across her face almost instinctively.
Her granddaughter hadn’t abandoned her; Mira still cared deeply for her wellbeing. Noticing her sleep had been troubled, Mira had sent over soothing incense, even after today’s unpleasant encounter.
Grandma Catherine dabbed at her eyes, then closed the box and turned back to James, with a hint of embarrassment In her eyes. “I apologize for my earlier state. You must think it unseemly.”
James” gaze lingered on the wooden box for a second longer before he met her eyes. “It’s fine, completely understandable.”
“Mira is indeed a good girl, worrying about my sleep and even going out of her way to buy me soothing incense… Alas, my daughter isn’t fortunate enough to be her mother.”
With a heavy sigh, Grandma Catherine shuffled to a nearby cabinet, pulling open a drawer to carefully place the wooden box inside.
James listened quietly to her ramblings, and his dark eyes were thoughtful.
Half an hour later, James left Catherine’s house. Wyatt, seeing the pensive look on his face as he got into the car. couldn’t help but ask, “Something happened?”
James regained his composure and glanced at Wyatt indifferently. “Nothing important.”
Sensing James wasn’t up for talking, Wyatt dropped the subject.
James‘ gaze was introspective. His fingers were tapping rhythmically on his knee. He took out his phone and texted Mirabella that the delivery was successful.
It took a good ten minutes before he received a terse “Thank you” reply from her. The reply was absent of any superfluous small talk.
A slight smile danced on James‘ lips. Anyway, he was accustomed to her aloofness. His slender fingers tapped out a message on his phone screen, [Where did you buy the soothing incense for your grandma? My grandparents back home have been having trouble sleeping too.]