003| Mom

~TYLA~

The doctors reassured us that it was a minor scratch, and grandma had been very lucky.

Only then did my fast-beating heart slow down, and I began noticing those around me.

The entire Wilson family was gathered in the ward, including Matt’s two cousins, Josh and Benny.

“Mother, you cannot keep going out on your own, do you know how worried we were?” Matt’s mother, Maria scolded lightly.

But grandma only smiled. “I’m alright. It’s just a scratch.”

I bit down hard on my lip, trying to stop myself from shedding the tears of relief.

Just then, grandma looked at me, then she smiled.

“Oh my dear child,” she reached out her hand toward me, “Come here. You must have been so scared, I apologize.”

I went to her, taking my hand in hers.

Relief washed through me like a tide. For a moment there, I had imagined not being able to hold her hand again.

“I’m glad you are alright, Grandma,” I managed to say.

Grandma smiled dotingly. “I’m really fine. You seem to have lost a lot of weight. Matt, have you been taking care of your wife at all?”

Just then, Grandma’s eyes flickered toward Matt, and then her eyes darkened.

“Why is she here?” She suddenly asked no one in particular.

I followed her eyes, and they fell on Olivia, who was still standing unbearably close to Matt.

Olivia flushed, then she shyly stepped forward.

“Hello Grandma, my name is Olivia. I hope you get well soon.” She greeted respectfully.

But Grandma’s face only darkened. “I know who you are, why is she here?” She looked from Olivia to Matt, as though expecting some explanation.

Olivia’s face turned pale instantly. For a second, she looked absolutely mortified.

“Grandma, Olivia means no harm. She heard about your illness and came to see you,” Matt added, clearly hoping to make grandma see her in a good light.

Grandma forced herself to sit up, and I managed to help her up.

Her expression was already full of rage.

“Are you crazy? You are married, Matt. Do you realize that seeing that woman with you could really give people the wrong idea about your marriage?”

“Grandma…”

“That’s enough, I do not want to see her here. Make her leave,” Grandma stubbornly added.

This was the first time I had seen grandma react this strongly and angry, and I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry.

Olivia looked like she was about to pass out with barely restrained anger.

Just then, Matt’s mother, Maria, stepped forward.

“Mother, there is no need to be cruel to her. The kind girl only came here to wish you well. And this misunderstanding you talk about, everyone knows she is more suited to stand beside my son, unlike some people.”

She rolled her eyes as she said this.

I grabbed a handful of the bed cloth slowly, trying to stop myself from reacting.

But it was grandma who reacted. She groaned in rage.

“Maria, if you cannot respect my granddaughter-in-law, then do well to leave my room at this instant.”

Matt’s mother seemed pissed, she didn’t even try to hide it. Instead, she turned and walked away.

Matt also carefully led Olivia out. 

Everyone soon began leaving grandma’s ward, one after the other, some grumbling with dissatisfaction, until the room was empty.

Before leaving, I caught Benny flash me a small smile, as though reassuring me.

Grandma stopped me from leaving with them, and after the room was empty, she hugged me tightly.

“I’m sorry, child, we failed to raise that boy well. Once I’m discharged, I will definitely talk some sense into him.”

After managing to put grandma to sleep, I slowly left her ward, closing the door softly behind me.

It was only after stepping out that I realized everyone was still there.

Benny rushed toward me. “Is Grandma okay?” she asked carefully.

I nodded.

Matt’s mother and a few others were speaking with Olivia, laughing from time to time.

It was as though she had spotted me, because she seemed to increase her tone.

“Oh darling, you got another masters, and started your own business? That is so beautiful… that is a true definition of a well-bred young lady.”

The others agreed with nods and subtle words.

I wanted to pretend it didn’t hurt much, or that I wasn’t affected by what was happening… but I couldn’t.

For years, they had all shown how clearly they disapproved of my union with Matt.

But they had always been closed off about it, maybe because there was no alternative.

But now that Olivia was back, almost every one of them was willingly showing their fangs.

After all, Olivia had a strong family backing, one they could easily gain from, and I… well, I had nothing to be proud of, just another hopeless orphan girl from an orphanage, probably rejected by her own family.

“Don’t mind Aunt Maria. She can be a little extra at times, but… we do like you,” Benny whispered beside me.

I gave her a small smile. It was only grandma, she and Josh that actually treated me like I was worth something.

“Thank you, Benny.”

She smiled at me. “Come on, Kenny is here… you should go stay with your son.”

I followed her gaze. I didn’t recall asking anyone to bring Kenny, unless Matt did.

But then, my eyes flickered to the small boy sitting in the corner, eating some snacks.

For a moment, his innocent look warmed my heart. I began walking toward him.

But just then, he stood up abruptly, and ran toward me.

I smiled, warmly opening my hands to hug him.

But instead of hugging me, he ran past me and straight to Olivia.

The only thing he said was, “Hi mom.”