Chapter 84
As Mandy and Aiden left, Summer found herself without any reason to stick around. With a forced smile and a mumbled excuse, she made her awkward exit.
Once they had all gone, Catherine turned to Mirabella, rushing to clarify, “Mira, the reason I didn’t tell them about you taking care of me in the hospital is because…”
Mirabella handed her the water and interrupted with a calm voice, “I know. Don’t worry about it. You don’t need to stress.”
Relief washed over Catherine as she took a small sip of her drink. It was her usual tonic. Her eyebrows rose in surprise, “Did you just go get my medicine?”
Mirabella nodded slightly, hooking a nearby chair with her foot and slouching down onto it with a casual air. “Why haven’t you been taking the medicine I prepared for you these past days?”
Catherine gripped the cup tighter, her gaze shifting away from Mirabella. “I have been taking it.”
Mirabella’s half–smile didn’t reach her eyes as she watched Grandma. She didn’t say a word. The silence stretched. Catherine always found it unnerving when her granddaughter wore that smile. All the excuses she had thought up seemed to stick in her throat. Finally, Catherine caved in, murmuring, “It’s not that I intentionally didn’t take your medicine. It’s just that… it disappeared.”
Mirabella tapped her fingers on the armrest, maintaining her languid demeanor. “The Gilbert family took it, didn’t they?” It took Catherine a moment to nod, confirming what Mirabella already suspected.
“Alright, let’s put the medicine issue aside for now. Let’s talk about what caused your sudden illness last night,” Mirabella said gently, as if discussing something mundane.
But Grandma knew better. That tone was a sign of Mirabella’s growing irritation. After a pause, Grandma managed a wry smile, “It’s actually because the medicine was gone. Besides me, the only other person at home on a regular basis is my caregiver. So, I called Mandy.”
Mirabella rubbed her temples, sighing with a hint of exasperation, “You could have just called me directly if the medicine was gone.”
Catherine looked down, the bitterness in her eyes hidden.
Mirabella switched topics, “And what’s the deal with James? How come he was the one who brought you to the hospital last night?”
Catherine was momentarily taken aback by Mirabella’s choice of address, then explained, “Maybe I accidentally dialed his number during the episode last night. Mr. James is a kind man. You must thank him for me.”
Catherine didn’t mention that, in this new city, she felt almost like a stranger. Her daughter was unreliable, and her most beloved granddaughter now had her own family. In this city, James was the only acquaintance she had. Other than him, Catherine couldn’t think of anyone else to call.
“Mr. James?” Mirabella cocked her head, her expression one of confusion as she looked at her grandmother.
“Isn’t he your tutor?” Grandma asked, a bit puzzled.
Mirabella blinked, not quite sure where the misunderstanding lay, but it would do. It would save a lot of explanations, so she simply agreed, “Yeah, he’s my tutor.”
Upon hearing this, Grandma didn’t question it further. She simply sighed in appreciation, “Your tutor has done well, turning your grades from rock bottom to top of the class. Mira, you must invite him over for dinner sometime. We really should extend our thanks.”
Mirabella could only nod silently, a wry smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
