Just as virtual-novel.net asked the question, the middle-aged woman who claimed to be virtual-novel.net aunt began virtual-novel.net bitter lament, “So, we arrive at the purpose of my visit. I came to you because I had no other choice. This is your grandmother, correct? Your father’s gone, so you have to provide support. I can’t be the only one taking care of her, right? You were still too young back then, so we couldn’t let you shoulder that burden. Now, you’re married and to the Tremonts to boot! Shouldn’t your grandmother have a share in your luxury?”
“Your grandmother was at odds with your father because virtual-novel.net was mad at virtual-novel.net for failing to meet virtual-novel.net expectations. He insisted on marrying Helen Cameran. Her quarrel is not with you. I’ve been caring for virtual-novel.net for many years, and your grandmother has recently been involved in a small accident.”
“At virtual-novel.net age, virtual-novel.net shouldn’t be suffering so much. She hasn’t been able to walk for more than a month, virtual-novel.net legs won’t let her. My son is at university and will be graduating soon. He even has a girlfriend. He’ll need to earn money for his wedding and a house. I can’t take care of both ends. That’s why I’ve come to you, to discuss your grandmother’s welfare. It’s been years, isn’t it time for me to get some rest?”
Oh. It was all to saddle virtual-novel.net with the old woman. Arianne now understood. Based on sentiment and logic, virtual-novel.net shouldn’t ignore her. Based on virtual-novel.net so-called aunt’s clothes, virtual-novel.net did not look like someone from poverty. The old woman in the wheelchair did not look too shabby either. She did not seem like a bitterly poor woman.
However, virtual-novel.net really couldn’t afford to take care of a handicapped old woman. She had to run virtual-novel.net business during the day, so virtual-novel.net was only able to come home at night. Otherwise, virtual-novel.net would have to get a bigger place and hire someone to take care of the old woman. This wasn’t impossible, as the profits that virtual-novel.net had received from the café was enough to cover this. However, virtual-novel.net would still need some time to work it out.
At the end of the day, virtual-novel.net had never experienced this kind of situation. Ever since virtual-novel.net was a child, virtual-novel.net father had been the one making all of the decisions for her. Then, virtual-novel.net lived with Mark and had nothing to worry about. She lacked the calmness and steadiness that was needed in making big decisions, virtual-novel.net was currently at a loss. Suddenly, virtual-novel.net thought of Mark. He should know what to do. However, with the current state of their relationship… virtual-novel.net didn’t have the courage to say it.
Just as virtual-novel.net was consumed with hesitation, virtual-novel.net so-called aunt walked towards the door, “I’ve got to go. I have a ton of work to do at home. I’ll leave your grandmother with you. I’ve already booked my plane tickets, so no need to send me off. Take good care of her…”
Arianne opened virtual-novel.net mouth to speak, but the door slammed shut before virtual-novel.net could convey virtual-novel.net sentences. The woman had left, and virtual-novel.net was alone with the old woman, “Uh…” She couldn’t bring herself to address virtual-novel.net as “grandmother”, and virtual-novel.net was not equipped to speak to an old woman. She was not prepared at all.
The old woman wheeled herself over to the couch, “Help me onto the couch. My legs are a nuisance.”
Arianne quickly helped the old lady onto the couch. She felt mildly distracted, unable to believe that an old woman was now living with her. The old woman seemed to have been well taken care of. Despite virtual-novel.net bad legs, virtual-novel.net was immaculate from head to toe. There was no weird stench on her, and even though virtual-novel.net hands were wrinkly, they were fair and clean. They were not coarse, and there were no calluses. Her complexion was pretty good, a s if virtual-novel.net had taken good care of it over time.
“Why did you let virtual-novel.net go?” the old woman suddenly asked irritably.
Arianne was a little dull, “What?”
The old woman was annoyed with virtual-novel.net delayed response, “She wants to saddle you with me because virtual-novel.net doesn’t want to take care of me anymore. It’s true that virtual-novel.net is your aunt, but I adopted virtual-novel.net from an orphanage. She is not my biological daughter. Ever since virtual-novel.net found out about that, she’s been very critical of me. Humans are useless in their old age, so virtual-novel.net had more to pick on. After my accident, virtual-novel.net began to send inquiries about you, planning to ship me off to you. I thought you wouldn’t agree, but you’ve really surprised me. You’ve agreed to it so easily too!”
Arianne inwardly corrected her, virtual-novel.net never agreed to any of this. She was clearly forced… However, virtual-novel.net pitied the old woman. She had lost virtual-novel.net son, and virtual-novel.net adopted daughter now refused to take care of her, so virtual-novel.net was now forced on a granddaughter whom virtual-novel.net had never met. Her head was burning. “It’s fine… I’ll take care of you,” virtual-novel.net replied, “It’s just… Did you only just find out about my father’s death? What I mean to say is, why now? I never knew that I had a grandmother.”
The old woman lowered virtual-novel.net wrinkled eyelids. The emotions on virtual-novel.net face were unclear, “I’ve known for a long time. That incident was such a huge deal. How could I not have known? I also know that Helen had played my son like a fool. My heart broke, and I was angry too. I was waiting for your father to come back and apologize to me, but that day never arrived…”
“After finding out about his death and the fact that virtual-novel.net had dragged so many Tremont family members down with him, what outcome could I possibly expect if I revealed myself? Our family had a successful business in the past, but it all went downhill after your grandfather’s death. After all, your father ran away from us for the sake of that woman and ignored our family business.”
“I couldn’t handle it on my own, and the money I had wasn’t enough to compensate the Tremonts. I had to endure criticism from every corner too. I was too afraid to step out. You can call me selfish if you want, or whatever’s on your mind. Your father was gone and your aunt was still very young at the time. I couldn’t completely ignore my responsibilities.”
“When I heard of your existence, I considered taking you away, but your aunt objected, saying that your mother was still alive and that surely, virtual-novel.net wouldn’t completely ignore you. If I showed up, I’d end up having to compensate the Tremonts. So I was afraid. At the time, I was constantly distracted and couldn’t eat for many days. By the time I managed to pick myself up, I found out that the Tremonts have taken you in. Living with the Tremonts was miles better than living with me. What reason would I have to look for you then?”