Megan’s POV
I saw Mom’s face change. She looked panicky. Instantly, her body language became a little strange.
“W-what do you mean? You also know that Freddy is my college friend. There’s no special relationship between us. Stop all your weird thoughts,” Mom pleaded as she stood up and approached me.
Suddenly she touched my palm and brought it close to her face, more precisely she pressed my palm to her face while looking at me.
“I hope you won’t talk about that again. I don’t want any misunderstanding between me and your dad. Understood?” she asked.
I nodded. To be honest, I didn’t want Mom and Dad to fight and become enemies because of what I said or did. But Mom’s attitude towards Freddy and vice versa seemed to be more than just a friend in the past.
Freddy cared about Mom and vice versa. And I didn’t know since when I felt that the shape of my eyes was like the shape of Freddy’s eyes. My crazy mind kept saying that I might be the child of an illicit relationship between Mom and Freddy. Crazy? Yes, crazy.
But I wasn’t sure if I was their illegitimate child because there was no way Dad and Grandma wouldn’t know about it. Grandma was a very meticulous woman and didn’t trust people easily. If she saw something strange about me, she would find out. Besides, there’s no way that Dad couldn’t recognize a child who isn’t his biological child as his favorite child.
Dad loves me more than anything. I guess I was thinking about too many useless things. Even if it were true that I was the illegitimate child of my Mom and Freddy, I wouldn’t want to admit that because Freddy wasn’t a rich man who could leave me something that could guarantee my luxurious life.
Everyone could say I was a disobedient child, who was more concerned with wealth than his biological parents. It’s all right for them to say and think like that. I can’t shut them up. But I certainly didn’t want to live in poverty and have to work extra hard just to buy something. I’m not a Piper who’s willing to suffer.
Then Mom caressed my face. “Good girl. Ok, now let’s have lunch. I’m already hungry.”
“Umm, Mom. I’m going to go see someone tonight,” I said.
“Who? Don’t tell me you’re going to see that guy you said was a hitman?” she asked.
“It’s him. There’s no one else. There are many, it’s just that I don’t like the unprofessional way some groups work. I just want to ask his opinion,” I replied.
“Okay. But be careful,” Mom replied.
“Of course.” I immediately hugged Mom and kissed her on the cheek.
To make a long story short, at dinner time as I expected, grandma and dad peppered me with questions.
Grandma sliced the steak slowly as her eyes occasionally looked at me. “So, did you break up with him?”
Her manner had always been firm and to the point. Her eyes were sharp and her mind could deduce things quickly.
“Yes, Grandma,” I replied. I lowered my face while slicing the steak into more pieces to overcome my nervousness and fear.
Since it was quiet in the dining room, I could hear the scraping of the plate against the knife and the sound of my dad pouring drinks into the glass.
“What’s wrong with you? I’m so happy and proud that you’re Jay’s girlfriend. He’s a wonderful man with great wealth. You can’t take care of one man. How are you going to take care of the inheritance I’m going to give you in the future?” Grandma said.
I put the knife and fork I was holding onto the plate and replied, “There’s no connection between men and inheritance, Grandma.”
“To me, there is a connection. A competent person can keep things stable and remain on his own. Do you understand?” Grandma asked as she gazed at me. Honestly, the look in her eyes made me shudder in horror.
“Yes.”
“Good. Now tell me what the problem is. And what do you plan to do next?” she asked as she put the knife and fork she had been holding onto the plate. She sat back against the back of the chair and folded her arms across her chest.
“H-he’s in a relationship with another woman and I don’t have any plans for now. And there’s something I have to confess to you.”
“Tell me,” she replied.
“I-I love another man while Jay loves another woman. This is common among young people. You don’t need to worry.”
“Hmm, as far as I know, Jay is not the guy who changes partners easily. Who is that woman? What family is she from?” she asked.
“We can’t guess what’s in someone’s heart, Mom. Jay is a grown man, after all. Maybe he sees another woman as more suitable for him than Megan. Mom doesn’t need to worry. Megan’s current boyfriend also comes from a wealthy family, and his father is known as one of the four property magnates in Valdirra,” Mom said.
“Oh yes, now tell me clearly who they are?” Grandma asked sternly.
“She’s just an ordinary and insignificant woman,” Mom answered. I thought Mom made a mistake this time.
“Piper. That woman is Piper. And the man I love is Ethan Miles. We fell in love with each other a long time ago. Mom, I hope you say nothing bad about Piper,” I replied.
My attitude has surprised Mom. But I was just trying to be nice in front of Grandma so that I would still have a good impression in front of her.
“What! Didn’t I hear you wrong? Are young people these days going crazy? Since when did Piper get into a relationship with Jay? And since when are you in a relationship with Ethan?” Grandma asked, throwing a tissue on the table.
“I don’t remember, Grandma.”
Grandma let out a long sigh and said nothing. The atmosphere in the dining room grew quieter.
“It’s been seven years and I don’t know how Piper and Karen are doing. I don’t think I may control your happiness. You are my grandchild, after all. As long as Jay accepts Piper and her son, I’ll be happy. And you, Megan, when is Ethan going to marry you?” Grandma asked.
“As soon as possible, Mom,” Mom replied.
“I asked Megan,” Grandma said.
“I need to confirm this with him. Once I get confirmation, you’ll be the first person I’ll tell,” I replied.
“That’s good. Please continue eating. I’m full,” Grandma said as she stood up and left the dining room. Me, Mom, and Dad looked at each other and smiled.
Helen Smith’s POV
I sat back in my chair, thinking and staring at the pictures of Karen, Martin when he was alive, and Piper when she was little. Tears streamed down my face. I missed them. Missed them so much.
Pride and honor kept me away from the people I cared about. Martin, forgive me for making your wife and daughter suffer.
I’m sorry.
Spontaneously and as if someone or something was controlling my hand to dial Piper’s cell phone number and just as the incoming call rang twice, I immediately turned off the phone. Bad thoughts haunted me during this time.
Were they still angry with me? Did they have a grudge against me?