Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Overwhelmed with Tears, Grandma’s Death
The island’s sunset was extremely beautiful. Victoria Monroe pushed her grandmother along the beach, a breeze blew, and the air was filled with beautiful petals.
"It’s really beautiful here," Grandmother whispered softly.
Victoria Monroe finally came to her senses, somewhat absentmindedly responded, "It is beautiful."
"It’s just a pity, there are no fireflies here."
Victoria crouched next to her grandmother’s feet, "Grandmother, one day I will take you to that firefly cave Rhys Hawthorne mentioned."
"Girl, be honest with me, do you really like Julian Fordham or Rhys Hawthorne?"
Julian always mentioned Rhys in front of her, and now even Grandmother wouldn’t let her off the hook.
"Grandmother, Rhys is just my friend, I..."
"Girl, ever since you were young, you’ve only ever had intimate contact with Julian Fordham. Ultimately, you both are similar people; you lack love, so you seek to find this love in each other. You meet, understand each other, but that doesn’t mean you know how to love."
Grandmother’s eyes deepened much more than before, "But Rhys is different. He comes from a loving family; he knows how to love someone. You saved him when you were young, that’s true, but if he was just repaying you, the one million back then would have sufficed."
Victoria Monroe had never thought about this aspect, but she was pregnant, and no man in the world would accept a woman pregnant with someone else’s child.
Moreover, they’ve had many intimate interactions, and Rhys’s behavior and actions were never out of line, so she dismissed this idea.
"The look of love in someone’s eyes cannot be faked, Rhys likes you."
Victoria didn’t dare tell her grandmother about her pregnancy and miscarriage, she could only remain silent.
"Girl, Grandmother has lived most of her life. I used to think Julian Fordham could protect you from the storm, but later I realized I was wrong. He’s influenced by his family environment, and his personality has some flaws. Being with him will ultimately hurt you."
"The future is still long, don’t be afraid of love because of temporary disappointment. Don’t only keep your eyes on Julian Fordham; look at others more. You are now divorced, and you are not anyone’s possession, you are free."
Suddenly, after saying these words, Victoria suddenly realized something, "Have you remembered everything?"
"No, I just thought of some fragments."
Her smile remained as kind as ever. She patted Victoria’s head, "In any case, Grandmother only wishes for your happiness."
For some reason, after hearing her words, Victoria felt a bit panicked inside.
She wanted to say something, but found herself at a loss for words.
"Grandmother, we will all be happy."
"Yes, we will be happy."
Grandmother didn’t speak anymore, gazing toward the horizon as the flock of birds returned to their nests, making the whole world lively and vibrant.
"Grandmother, do you remember my mother? Was she really the shameless person others said she was?"
Regarding her mother, Grandmother usually sighed, but now her gaze was especially profound: "I don’t know, maybe she was also driven by circumstances. A person’s life is too long; no one can truly empathize with the choices and lives of others."
That night, it was unusual for Grandmother to ask Victoria to sleep with her.
Julian couldn’t say anything, so he just left.
Suddenly, Victoria felt as if Grandmother was using this way to protect her.
Did she know something?
Victoria tried probing several times, but Grandmother didn’t say much, instead talking about many things from her childhood.
She even mentioned her mother, which was a rare occurrence.
As she was about to drift into sleep, she heard Grandmother suddenly ask a question, "Girl, do you still love Julian Fordham? There are no outsiders here, tell me the truth, do you still want to be with him?"
"No, I hate him, I despise him!" Victoria answered cleanly.
"Since you have decided on the path to take, don’t look back."
"Grandmother..."
"It’s late, sleep tight."
Victoria, being a pregnant woman after all, soon fell into a haze of slumber.
When she woke up, Grandmother was already gone. When she found Grandmother, today she was dressed beautifully.
Victoria’s heart finally settled; she smiled and walked towards Grandmother, "You look really good today, like you’ve become twenty years younger."
"Flattery, but speaking of it, I haven’t seen you in a wedding dress."
"I’ll wear it for you."
Since Julian wants to make a fuss, let him do so.
Grandmother is old, and who knows how long she can live.
Even if she really got remarried in the future, Grandmother might not be around to see it.
Victoria changed into the wedding dress for Grandmother, the makeup artist had already done her makeup.
Julian Fordham saw the beautifully dressed Victoria Monroe; she was extremely gorgeous, and he suddenly regretted not having a grand wedding in the past to let everyone witness his happiness.
But the smile on Victoria’s lips was not for him; she smiled and ran towards Grandmother.
The scene froze here; he finally captured Victoria’s smile.
Grandmother tidied her clothes and asked the photographer to take pictures of her and Victoria.
The two stood with their backs to the sea, taking a few photos under the cherry blossoms.
For the last shot, Grandmother requested, "I’ve lived most of my life and still don’t have a solo photo, take one for me that looks nice."
"Alright, elderly lady, look at the camera."
Grandmother took several photos herself and personally selected one that suited her best.
Victoria felt increasingly uneasy, sensing something unusual about Grandmother today.
Julian looked at his watch; he had specially decorated the venue.
"Grandmother, I’ll push you over there. The auspicious hour has arrived, you will officiate, and Victoria and I will surely be happy."
"Happy?" Grandmother suddenly laughed, "Julian, originally I thought you were a good kid; when I’m gone, you would take good care of Victoria."
"Grandmother, I’ll take good care of her, don’t worry."
Grandmother’s mouth curled into a mocking smile, "Your idea of taking care was using me as a hostage, forcing her to marry you again and give birth to your children, wasn’t it?"
"No, Grandmother, there’s some misunderstanding here, let me explain slowly..."
"There’s no need for that. I shouldn’t have listened to you and given you that chance. My decision didn’t bring Victoria happiness; instead, it brought her endless disappointment."
"Julian, let go of the girl, okay? Truly loving someone means fulfilling them, not possessing them."
Julian’s face quietly changed, his thin lips curled into a cold arc, "Grandmother, it seems you have been deceived by Rhys too; Victoria and I grew up together, no one in this world loves her more than I do."
Grandmother shook her head, "Foolish child, the more you act like this, the more you’ll push Victoria further away."
Yet Julian didn’t want to continue this topic, "Grandmother, time’s getting late; we need to hold the ceremony."
"Don’t come any closer!"
Grandmother suddenly pulled out a dagger, pointing it at her heart. No one knew when she had hidden it, in everyone’s eyes, she was just a confused old child.
Victoria’s expression drastically changed upon seeing this, "Grandmother, what are you doing? Put the dagger down!"
Julian was also panicked, "Grandmother, don’t do this. Let’s talk it over."
"Julian, you are too obsessed right now; I have nothing to say to you. If you have even a shred of conscience left, and if you still love Victoria, then let her go. She’s not your canary in a cage; what she has always wanted is freedom!"
Julian instinctively refused, "We’ve been living this way all these years; before Rhys appeared, none of you said this was bad. Why, when he appeared, was I suddenly all wrong?"
"Yes, I am not as good as Rhys regarding family status. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth as a young master. I’ve been working very hard, Grandmother, believe in me once more; I will surely take good care of Victoria..."
Grandmother shook her head, "Even today, you are still so stubborn, Julian Fordham. I will no longer be used as a pawn to manipulate the girl."
Victoria had already guessed her thoughts. She shook her head frantically, "No, Grandmother, please don’t leave me. I’ll behave; I’ll listen to you. Whoever you want me to marry, I’ll marry, as long as you live well."
"Girl, all Grandmother ever wanted was for you to be happy. If I’m gone, you won’t need to compromise for anyone anymore; pursue your freedom, act in the dramas you like, love the person you want to love."
"No, it’s not like that," Victoria knelt on the ground, "Please, live well..."
"Julian Fordham, let the girl go, I’m begging you."
Saying this, Grandmother’s hand plunged the dagger fiercely into her own heart.
Bright red blood filled Victoria Monroe’s eyes. She screamed with all her might and burst into tears, "No! Grandmother!"