“Grandma!” I burrowed myself in her chest and burst into a violent sob as I wiped the tears streaming down my cheeks. I really did not intend to break down in front of her, and I was actually here to comfort her. However, it proved to be impossible for me to hold back my tears at the sight of her.
“My good child, just let it all out. Everything is going to be alright afterward.” She patted my back gently and coaxed me like I was a child.
The crying went on for quite some time before I could finally bring it to a stop. Seeing that the wind got stronger, I summoned Josephine and steadied Sharon back into the house. Perhaps it was because I had been crying for a long time, but I kept burping, and nothing I did could stop it. Josephine kindly brought me a glass of hot water, and I drank it all in one go before I finally felt better.
“How dare that brat cheat on you! Now everyone knows about this! Eve, don’t worry. Grandma will make this right by you. That wretched girl has to go through me to marry into the Smiths. You are the only granddaughter-in-law whom I approve of,” Sharon said sternly.
“Grandma, it’s alright. Lyle has only had eyes for Crystal since the very beginning. I don’t want to stand in their way any longer. I’m going to divorce him.” I summoned all my courage and told her about my intention of getting a divorce.
“Grandma, I’m really too tired to go on any longer. Don’t trouble yourself over this, okay? Even if I’m no longer your granddaughter-in-law, I will still treat you as my dearest grandma. I promise I will come by often to visit you, okay?”
I chose my words carefully and watched my tone. Sharon’s face grimaced at the mention of divorce, and I tactfully bit my tongue, fearing that she might faint again.
“Eve!” She heaved out a long sigh and sent Josephine to fetch her medicine. She took quite a number of seemingly different pills before she finally said, “I watched you grow up, and I noticed that you liked Lyle when you came over to my house to play for the very first time. You’re an innocent and honest girl, and I really took a liking for you since then. That’s the reason I insisted for Lyle to marry you.”
“Did you notice even back then, Grandma?” My face turned red from embarrassment and I touched it, only to feel myself burning up. I had always thought it was a secret crush, but Crystal had noticed it. Even Grandma had… So they could tell just by looking at my face.
I shot the elderly lady a wry smile. Lyle would never know that, and he would never think I loved him. To him, I had always been a gold-digger who would stoop to anything to marry into a rich family. The man even thought I would strip myself naked to have sex with any man for money.
I had only gone to the bar the other day because I quarreled with Lyle the other night. Enraged about finding that he had an affair, I confronted him. Lyle had chastised me as a shameless slut. It was the reason I turned to Christopher that night.
“Anyone who has paid attention to you will notice that.” Sharon leaned against the sofa as she spoke. She knew I was still on the fence about my decision and said, “I hope that you can reconsider your decision to get a divorce. It hasn’t been easy for you and Lyle all these years. Don’t give it up just because of Crystal. You have to think of a way if you want to keep the man. Otherwise, you’re going to be ridden with guilt and emptiness when you’re old and frail.”
Sharon seemed like she had her own stories to tell, judging by her anguished look. However, there really was no reason for me to keep going.
“Grandma, sometimes it’s useless if I’m the only one holding on. I know you like me a lot, and believe me, there were a lot of times where I sincerely hoped I was your granddaughter. At least I would have someone who truly cares about me that way. But Grandma, I’m really too tired to keep going.”
Furrowing her brows, Sharon looked troubled. She noticed the resolution in my voice, despite my deliberately small voice, and said helplessly, “Could you at least wait until after my seventieth birthday celebration? I want all my grandchildren to be my side. I don’t have much time left, you know.”
I was too drained to keep holding on. She was already seventy. This was just her final attempt in trying to salvage Lyle and my marriage that had fallen miserably apart. However, how could I say no to someone who cared that much about me?
