Chapter 146: A Neatly Kept Secret

Grandma looked confused, searching for an answer. She seemed to give up, looked at me as if weighing something, then turned to sit on the sofa.

“For the past few years, your mother has often been sending money for you.”

“What? I didn’t hear that wrong, did I, Grandma?”

I hoped Grandma was just joking. But that hope vanished when I saw her shake her head.

“Do you still remember when Grandpa and Grandma told you that Frel is not really our biological child?” I nodded weakly. “That was actually one day after the first money transfer from your mother arrived.”

It felt as if thunder struck my body, making all my bones feel limp.

“At first, we intended to never tell you about your origins because we had already considered you our own child. However, after someone claiming to be sent by your mother came and delivered money for your needs, we thought it was time for you to know everything.”

Grandma let out a long breath. “Every time those people in black suits came bringing the money, Grandma often asked about your parents’ whereabouts. But they always said they were only assigned to deliver the envelope. It was always like that.”

“Every time they came here, you had already left for school or were not at home. It was as if your mother deliberately told them to come without your knowledge,” she continued.

“Then why did you accept the money, Grandma?” My voice began to sound hoarse with deep disappointment.

Grandma’s gaze, which had initially been drifting toward the window, now turned to me.

She looked flustered. “Don’t worry, Frel, we have never used any of your mother’s money. It is all still intact.”

“That’s not the problem, Grandma.” I closed my eyes tightly, trying to be patient amid the growing turmoil in my chest. “You shouldn’t have accepted it. You should have refused it. I don’t want anything from her.”

“Don’t blame your grandmother, darling. Blame Grandpa. I was the one who asked her to accept the money.” Suddenly Grandpa was already beside me, carrying a small book that resembled a bank passbook. “I’ve put all her money transfers into this passbook. Take a look first, then Grandpa will explain everything.”

I remained still while staring at Grandpa. He kept convincing me to look at the book. Not wanting to hurt his feelings, I took the small book hesitantly.

I looked at its contents without interest. A row of nine-digit numbers was displayed there.

“Please, Grandpa, explain what this means.”

“Grandpa deliberately saved the money your mother gave so that you could continue your education to a higher level. Grandpa is worried that our pension money will not be enough to pay for your college later, especially since it has to be reduced for food expenses and daily necessities that are getting more and more expensive.” Grandpa’s eyes slowly dimmed. “You are a smart child. Grandpa doesn’t want your education to be hindered just because of financial problems. Grandpa wants your future to be bright.”

I shook my head repeatedly. “No, Grandpa. This is not the way. I don’t want to accept a single cent of money from that evil person.”

Grandma reflexively stood up from her seat. “Frel, your mother is not a bad person. The proof is that she still remembers and is willing to take responsibility by sending you money.”

“This is not responsibility, Grandma.” I threw the passbook onto the wooden table in front of me. “It’s the same as if she is buying me. That money proves that as cruel as she is, she is actually capable of taking care of me, but instead chose to throw me away.” I stepped back as tears began to spread. “That woman has no right over me. This money is just his way of sleeping soundly at night!"

Grandma stepped closer with tears pooling in her eyes. “Frel, come here, dear. Grandma doesn’t mean any harm. Don't pull away like that, child," she pleaded softly.

I kept stepping back and shaking my head. “I can work while studying, Grandma. I’d rather not continue my education than have to beg for money from her.”

“Yes, Frel, Grandma understands. Come here, Grandma wants to hug you.”

I ignored Grandma’s words. I kept stepping back while wiping my tears with the back of my hand. “No, Grandma. This time, I don’t want to.”

Grandma cried, but I still didn’t care.

“Darling, don’t be like this. We’re only thinking about your future. Make peace with your mother, maybe she was forced to do this. Perhaps there is something she hasn’t been able to tell you yet, and everything will be revealed in time.” Grandpa kept persuading me, but I remained firm in my stance.

I didn’t want to waver even a little, even because of Grandma’s or Grandpa’s persuasion.

I laughed bitterly. “Grandpa said there will be a time? When is that, Grandpa? Waiting until I end up in the hospital and turn out like Reno?”

Grandpa looked at me sadly, the wrinkles on his forehead becoming more visible. Meanwhile, I was still carried away by my surge of emotions. My vision blurred with tears that kept flowing even though I wiped them away repeatedly.

“I never thought that it turns out Grandpa and Grandma are the same. You’ve been lying to me for so long. You’re all cruel! You destroyed my trust!"

After that, I immediately turned around and ran as fast as I could.

“Frel, wait! Don’t go, dear!” Grandma cried out, her voice breaking with tears.

“Leave me alone!” I shouted without turning back even a little. “Don’t look for me, because I don’t want to see anyone who has kept this secret from me!”

“Frel, at least listen to Grandpa’s explanation one more time!” Grandpa tried to chase after me to the front door, his voice sounding heavy and breathless.

“There’s nothing left to explain!” I replied hoarsely. “You said you loved me, but you let that money enter this house. You let her feel like she has already done her duty as a mother! You let him win, Grandpa!"

I kept running. I ignored Grandpa’s and Grandma’s shouts calling my name over and over. My legs moved even faster, cutting through the suffocating air.

For more than two years, they had been lying to me. They made decisions unilaterally without asking for my opinion at all.

What would have happened if I hadn’t heard Grandma speak accidentally earlier? Would they have kept lying to me forever? And what did Grandpa say? Make peace with the woman who abandoned me? You’ve got to be kidding!

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