Chapter 104: Family Drama

Lewis reached out and gently ruffled my hair, his voice light, almost teasing."Alright now. That’s enough. You’re fussing too much."The touch was soft. Careful. Too careful, maybe.I didn’t comment on it.

Instead, I stood up slowly, my mind already racing. I needed a few minutes alone with Grandma. Just us. But with Mrs. Thailon still in the room, that wouldn’t be easy. Lewis would understand without me saying a word. He always did. But Mrs. Thailon was cautious, loyal to a fault. She wouldn’t leave her post so easily.

Before I could come up with an excuse, Lewis spoke, as if he’d caught my thought mid-breath.

"Ah right," he said casually. "We left the fruit basket in the car. Mrs. Thailon, my knee’s been acting up again. Would you mind helping me get it?"

Mrs. Thailon hesitated. Her eyes flicked toward me, sharp and assessing. She clearly didn’t like the idea of leaving me alone.

Sensing her doubt, I smiled warmly. "I’ll stay right here with her. It’s broad daylight, and there are cameras everywhere. I promise nothing will happen."

Maybe it was my face. Maybe it was the quiet authority Lewis carried without trying. After a brief pause, she nodded.

"Alright," she said. "I’ll be quick."

The door closed behind them.

I didn’t waste a second.

I hurried to Grandma’s side and dropped to my knees, careful not to jostle the bed. I wrapped my arms around her gently.

"Grandma..." My voice shook. "You’ve been through so much. Please... please get better."

Then her fingers closed around mine.

Not weak.Not accidental.

She was holding me.

My breath hitched. Tears burned my eyes as my heart began to race. She wasn’t as helpless as everyone thought. Not like Mrs. Thailon had described.

She had been pretending.

Staying quiet. Staying still. Protecting herself.

I leaned closer and whispered, "Grandma... can you talk?"

Her lips trembled. Slowly, painfully, she formed a word.

"Ch...loe."

My chest broke open.

"Yes," I whispered through tears. "It’s me. I’m here. It’s really me."

Her hand lifted, shaking as it reached for my face. I leaned into her touch at once, pressing my cheek against her palm. It was rougher now, worn by time and illness but it was still her.

She tried to wipe away my tears.

"Don’t... cry," she whispered.

"I won’t," I said quickly, brushing them away myself. "I’m just happy. So happy to see you like this."

Her response felt like a miracle. When she regained her strength when she could speak clearly again I knew she would stand with me. She would help me bring everything into the light.

We didn’t have much time.

I told her everything. How I came back. The paths I’d taken. The traps I’d set. How the truth was finally beginning to surface.

She listened quietly, her breathing slow but steady, her eyes sharp despite her frail body.

"Elena... good," she murmured, the faintest curve touching her lips.

Then she added, softly, "Lewis... to you..."

I understood at once and nodded. "Yes. I didn’t lie. He’s been good to me. He respects me. He protects me. You don’t have to worry anymore. I’m safe with the Hale household."

I squeezed her hand. "And I swear, Camilla will pay. For everything she did. To both of us."

After a moment, I spoke again, slower now."Grandma... Camilla’s hatred runs deep. This isn’t just about shares or power. She hates the Morrigans. Especially you. That kind of hatred doesn’t come from nowhere."

I searched her eyes. "If you remember anything anything at all it could help. Even the smallest detail."

Her brows furrowed as she tried to think.

I squeezed her hand gently. "Don’t push yourself. Just know I’m here. And I’ll keep coming back."

If she had answers, I would wait.

Camilla was still young. Too young to carry that kind of hatred on her own.

The bitterness in her eyes, the hunger for control, the way she moved people like pieces on a board it didn’t feel natural. It felt taught. Fed. Guided.

Someone had been standing behind her.

Revenge on Camilla mattered to me, yes. But more than that, I wanted the hand that had pushed her forward. If someone with old grudges against my bloodline was hiding in the dark, then dragging them into the light would change everything.

Just then, Grandma’s lips trembled.

"The... Carlines."

The name barely left her mouth before the door opened.

Mrs. Thailon returned, holding a small basket of fruit and supplements. Her eyes went straight to me."Ms. Ashbourne... why are you crying?"

I wiped my face quickly and forced a soft smile. "Seeing Mrs. Liora like this reminded me of my own family. It stirred up some old pain. But she’s lucky to have you."

Mrs. Thailon’s expression softened. "You might not know this, but Mrs. Liora once saved my life. I owe her everything. As long as I’m here, I’ll protect her like my own mother."

I stayed a little longer, holding Grandma’s hand, memorizing her warmth. Then Lewis and I finally left.

As we stepped outside, he spoke suddenly."Let’s not go home yet."

I glanced at him. "Why?"

"There’s something you might enjoy seeing."

I raised a brow. "Oh?"

He smiled, slow and knowing. "The Morrigan house should be in chaos by now. Camilla’s mask is gone. Don’t you want to see how they’re handling it?"

A small smile curved my lips. "Now that you mention it... I do."

When we arrived, I expected shouting.

I didn’t expect violence.

The moment we entered, Fiona still dressed in luxury, jewels flashing raised her hand and slapped Camilla hard across the face.

The sound echoed through the room.

"You liar!" Fiona screamed. "You’ve disgraced the Hudsons!"

Camilla staggered, stunned.

"I invited everyone to watch you rise," Fiona continued, shaking with rage. "And you turned it into a public disaster!"

Camilla looked nothing like the girl people once adored. Bandages covered part of her face. Her eyes were dull. Her posture slumped. Whatever confidence she once wore so proudly was slipping away.

Vivian rushed forward, frantic. "This isn’t Camilla’s fault! That woman Riley she framed her!"

I laughed, sharp and cold.

Somehow, it was still my fault.

I stepped into the room, folding my arms. "Mrs. Morrigan, are you really still saying that? Did I force your daughter to steal another woman’s life? Or was that my doing too?"

Vivian froze when she saw me.

Her clothes were stained. The sour smell still clung to her. Seeing me clean, calm, untouched only fueled her fury.

"What are you doing here?" she snapped.

I smiled sweetly. "Just checking on Camilla. I heard she wasn’t feeling well."

Then I turned to Camilla, my voice gentle, almost kind."Don’t worry. People like you tend to live a long time. You’ll be fine."

Her breath hitched.

Those words had once been whispered to me while I lay sick and alone. She’d smiled when she said them.

Now, I gave them back.

Camilla shook with rage. "Get out! I don’t want to see you!"

I stepped closer. "Careful. Don’t get too emotional."

I let my gaze drop slightly."Think about your stomach."

The room went still.

Fiona stiffened. Her eyes snapped from Camilla’s face to her midsection, then back to me.

"What do you mean by that?" she demanded.