Piper’s POV
“Grandma, I can’t believe that Uncle and Aunty would do something. If things are that bad, I’m forcing you to come with me. I’d rather you leave this mansion. Please. I don’t want to lose you,” I pleaded as I grasped Grandma’s hand, which was smaller than mine.
Without realizing it, tears were streaming down my face. Deep in my heart, I didn’t want to lose my beloved Grandma. After Dad passed away, Grandma was the person I thought of as my dad’s successor. And I still hoped that Uncle and Aunty wouldn’t hurt Grandma just for the sake of money. So, I’d better take Grandma away from the mansion so she can enjoy her old age.
Grandma let out a long sigh as she looked into my eyes. “Hiding won’t solve the problem. I must still face fate. Maybe this is part of my past karma that I have to pay for in the present. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Jay, please take care of Piper for me. I trust you.”
Jay nodded. There was a glimmer of sadness in Jay’s eyes. Then Jay took Grandma’s hand and grasped it tightly. “I’ll take care of you, too. When I get back from here, I’ll organize everything right away. Don’t worry.”
“Thank you, Jay. I think we’ve had enough of this conversation. Let’s enjoy the tea and snacks I’ve made for you. Are you going to have dinner here?” Grandma asked.
“Sorry. We can’t have dinner with you. We’re going to visit Mom,” I replied.
“Oh okay. Give my regards to your mom,” Grandma pleaded with a smile. It was the same beautiful, genuine smile I’d seen so many times before.
“Okay. Then we are going home now. Take care, Grandma. Love you,” I said as I hugged and kissed Grandma’s cheek.
After Jay and the kids said goodbye, we hurried off to Mom’s apartment.
Later that evening, when the kids were already in their bedrooms, I lay down with Jay to enjoy our relaxing time after a long day. I saw Jay was seriously texting someone.
“Jay, is there something important that you’re so serious about and you’ve been texting all day?” I asked, while leaning on his shoulder. The scent of the soap and shampoo he was wearing wafted over me instantly. It was seductive.
“Yes, I am texting with Nick. I asked him to organize some people to spy on John and Erin, as well as protect Grandma from afar. But most of all, I want to know what they’re planning to do to your grandma. It’s quite a complicated issue. If Erin is the root of the problem, doesn’t John know about it at all?” Jay asked, as he tried hard to digest the problems in our family.
“All I know is that Aunty was Uncle John’s secretary. They fell in love and eventually got married, although Grandma didn’t allow it. Not long after that, Aunty gave birth to Megan. Megan is only one year older than me. This problem had been there for a long time, but things got messy after Grandma announced she would give a bigger share to my dad as a token of respect for his hard work. But the rest of us didn’t know how it would be distributed and a lawyer wrote everything Grandma said in the will. The end of that conversation was chaos. A few months later, Dad had an accident and passed away. Grandma kicked Mom and I out of her house because of the hotel incident. So, I am sure Uncle knows Aunty’s deeds, but they cooperate.”
Jay put his phone down on the nightstand and hugged me. “So, what happened then?”
“After we got kicked out, we lost contact with Grandma. And the last we heard, Uncle John had a big role in the company. Aunty also helped Uncle manage Grandma’s property business. Meanwhile, Mom and I are living in poverty. Ironic, isn’t it?” I asked with a sigh.
Everything that happened in the past was so gloomy. There was a time when Mom and I ate dinner with just a boiled sweet potato. We sat on the balcony enjoying the rain at night while each of us ate a piece of boiled sweet potato and a glass of tea. It was simple, but everything tasted delicious.
It was not uncommon for me to lie to Mom by saying that I had eaten at the office when, in reality, I could only afford to buy a portion of food for Mom. My stomach hurt, but I had to endure it. It all happened when I had just gotten my first job with very little pay.
Luckily, sometimes Lisa and Max would help me out until a year later, when I got a more decent job with a sizable salary. And by then, Jensen was already in my life. Although we lived in poverty, at least we were happy, and Jensen’s presence brought color to our lives.
“Sorry. What can I do to make amends?” Jay asked.
I caressed his hand and replied, “You don’t need to apologize. It’s not purely your fault.”
“I promise I won’t make you suffer anymore,” he said.
I nodded with a smile.
Three weeks passed, and it was time for us to see Jay’s mother. Two weeks earlier, I had prepared everything, such as clothes and shoes, for the four of us, even a gift for my future mother-in-law.
The plan was to meet at dinner. Since the afternoon before sunset, I was ready and had even prepared the children. After everything was ready, Jay deliberately drove the car by himself without inviting Ken or Nick.
Along the way, I stared out the window, saying nothing. My heart was beating quite fast and cold sweat covered my palms. My mind created baseless illusions even though my logic told me to stop panicking and be strong, but fear and nervousness had overtaken me.
The woman who had given birth to Jay must be an extraordinary woman. It was clear with all the success Jay had achieved, as well as his good way of life. All because of his mother’s extraordinary role. Because of that, my courage suddenly shrank and was replaced by nervousness and fear. However, no matter what happens, we still have to face it, all for the sake of the future of our children and the small family we have formed.
Suddenly, Jay’s hand touched mine. I turned my head and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Are you okay? You look tense and cold sweat covered your hands,” he asked.
“I’m scared.”
Suddenly, Jay laughed loudly. Very loud. I looked at him in surprise. How could he be laughing while I was scared?
“You’re too much,” I said.
“Sorry, my dear. I just thought the expression on your scared face was really cute and funny. Calm down and there’s no need to be scared. As I’ve told you before, my mother is a strong and stern woman, but she has a gentle heart. I’ve been very close to her since I was a kid,” Jay replied, still laughing, although not as loudly as before. His hand, which was not holding the steering wheel of the car, grasped my hand.
I nodded repeatedly.
Piper, you can do it! You can overcome all obstacles.
And now our car entered the spacious and luxurious yard of Jay’s Mom's house. There’s only one word to describe what I saw, “Wow.”