Chapter 81


    After grandma woke up. Mirabe made a return trip to the Davis family. It was a little past eight in the


    morning, and even though she finished her usual morning jogter than usual, her mother, Delh,


    suspected nothing. She assumed Mirabe had simply taken a few extraps.


    Without revealing the truth about her overnight absence, Mirabe quickly showered and changed into


    fresh clothes. She then rummaged through a box she pulled from her wardrobe, selecting a sky–blue


    porcin bottle from among a dozen jars and vials.


    She tucked the porcin bottle into her bag and didn’t linger. Skipping breakfast, she briefly mentioned


    Granny’s condition to Delh, who offered to visit Catherine, but Mirabe refused and promptly left the


    house.


    Twenty minutester, Mirabe was back at the hospital. However, as she approached the door of the


    hospital room and spotted Mandy, Summer and a boy who looked to be around fifteen inside, her steps


    faltered.


    “Mom, you fall sick and don’t even tell me. If the nanny hadn’t called today. I’d still be in the dark.”


    Mandy said, pressing on her temples, though she was careful not to speak too harshly considering


    Catherine’s condition.


    Catherine was propped up in bed, pale and seemingly unweing of the room’s upants. Her


    demeanor was chilly and detached.


    “I’m fine now. There are doctors and nurses here; you don’t need to take care of me. You should


    leave,” Catherine stated, her thoughts drifting to Mirabe. She worried that if Mira returned and


    crossed paths with them, her granddaughter would be bullied once again.


    Mandy, hearing Catherine’s words, could barely contain her frustration. “You’re unwell, and the kids


    came specially to see you. Why must you be so cold?”


    Catherine simply gazed out the window, silent.


    Seeing this, Mandy was truly vexed. She couldn’tprehend why Catherine was being so stubborn.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    “Mom, tone it down. Granny can’t handle the stress,” Summer interjected, stepping forward and


    shaking her head at her mother.


    Then, turning to her grandmother, Summer’s eyes softened. She moved a chair closer, sat down by the


    bed, and gently took Catherine’s hand. “Granny, please don’t be mad at Mom. She’s just really worried


    about you.”


    Catherine’s icy facade thawed slightly under Summer’s loving gaze. “My health is fine. You take your


    mother and brother and go back home,” Catherine said, subtly withdrawing her hand.


    Summer’s fingers curled slightly, her smile remaining tender. “Doctors and nurses can’t rece the


    care of family.”


    At the mention of family, Catherine’s heart stirred with emotion. “But I don’t need them… I have Mir…”


    She caught herself mid–sentence, realizing she was about to slip up.


    Mandy, however, had picked up on something. “Are you waiting for Mirabe again?”


    Catherine looked away. “She’s not gonnae here. You were so mean to herst time!”


    Mandy’sughter was edged with irritation. “I was being mean to her? Why do you think I sent her


    away? Don’t you have any idea?” Shaking her head in disbelief, Mandy continued, “Alright, you defend


    her so much, but now that you’re sick, does she know? Is she here taking care of you?”


    She pointed at Summer. “No, she’s not. So please, see clearly: it’s Summer who is taking care of you,


    and it’s Summer who came to visit. Summer’s your real granddaughter.”