12 Chapter 12 – A Grandmother’s Wish and a Rival’s
Scorn
“Wait,” he suddenly interrupted himself, peering more closely at the old woman. “Mrs. Sterling? Eleanor Sterling? Of the Sterling Group?”
The boutique fell silent. Arthur’s arm tightened around my waist as I stiffened at the public humiliation.
“Sterling Mall,” Arthur instructed as he slid in beside me.
“I insist!” She squeezed my hand tightly. “Arthur has excellent taste, and you deserve to be spoiled. You work too hard taking care of an old woman like me.”
“Of course not!” I turned to face him. “But correcting her only upsets her. The doctor advised playing along to avoid agitation.”
Arthur’s eyes met mine, a silent warning not to contradict her. I understood the drill by now her memory was fragile, and contradicting her delusions could trigger
distress.
Her eyes widened as she registered Arthur’s presence. “Mr. Sterling! What a surprise to see you here.”
I opened my mouth to explain, but Arthur’s arm slid around my waist, pulling me against his side.
The color drained from Fiona’s face. Alistair looked equally stunned. “Elara… Sterling?”
“I can’t accept this,” I whispered.
Mrs. Sterling was watching the exchange with interest. “Young lady, is there a reason you’re speaking to my granddaughter–in–law in that tone? Do you know her?”
“And you fit that description?” His eyebrow arched with disbelief.
I felt a flush of anger but kept my expression neutral. Before I could respond, an elderly voice called out from near the entrance.
“You don’t have to do this,” I said immediately. “We can tell her we went shopping.”
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“Another doctor?” She frowned. “I’m perfectly fine. What I need is to see you two together more often. In fact…” Her eyes lit up with sudden inspiration. “You should take Elara shopping tomorrow! Buy her something pretty.”
“Elara? What are you doing here?”
I hesitated, looking at the price tags. These dresses cost more than my monthly rent.
“She has it. The doctor visits regularly, and I’ve taken a leave of absence to care for her full–time.”
“Arthur? Is that you?” Mrs. Sterling called again, her voice growing impatient.
“We were just discussing a gift for you, ma’am,” Alistair interjected smoothly. “Something to brighten your room at the Sterling manor.”
“Grandmother,” he said warmly. “How are you feeling?”
Arthur’s eyes briefly met mine over his grandmother’s head. “Yes, we’ve met.”
“Wonderful!” Mrs. Sterling clasped her hands together. “Then you know what a treasure she is. So kind, so patient. Not like those nurses at that prison you call a facility.”
I froze. Arthur’s expression hardened momentarily before he forced a smile.
Fiona immediately adopted a deferential smile. “You must be Mrs. Sterling. I’m Fiona
Dubois, Caleb’s fiancée. It’s such an honor to meet you.”
Arthur glanced toward the bedroom where his grandmother’s voice had come from. “Explain. Now.”
“Arthur, dear,” she began, her eyes twinkling with mischief, “your wife is absolutely charming. Why haven’t you brought her to see me before?”
“I understand how to handle my grandmother’s condition,” he replied evenly. “What I don’t understand is why she’s convinced you’re my wife.”
“Nonsense!” Mrs. Sterling waved me over. “Come sit with us. Arthur rarely visits, so we
must make the most of it.”
“And when she asks to see what you bought?” He raised an eyebrow. “My
grandmother’s memory may be failing, but she’s still sharp. We’ll go, buy something
12 Chapter 12 – A Grandmother’s Wish and a Rival’s Scom
suitable, and return in time for the doctor’s appointment.”
1 held the door open wider, watching as Arthur’s face cycled through shock, confusion, and finally, cold calculation. His jaw tightened as he stepped into my small apartment, his imposing frame making the space feel even more cramped.
He studied me for a moment, then nodded slightly. “We’ll need to discuss arrangements for her care moving forward. This situation isn’t sustainable.”
“He’s always been the serious one,” she confided. “But I see how he looks at you when he thinks I’m not watching.”
I felt Arthur stiffen beside me. “Fiona,” I acknowledged with a nod, ignoring her barb.
“Wife?” she repeated faintly.
Mrs. Sterling looked at her impatiently. “Yes, wife. Are you hard of hearing, girl? This is Elara Sterling, my grandson’s wife.”
Mrs. Sterling appeared, supported by her cane but moving determinedly toward us. I rushed to her side.
I grabbed my purse and followed him to his waiting car, a sleek black sedan with tinted windows. The driver nodded respectfully as Arthur held the door for me.
“I’m sure Arthur is very busy with work,” I said diplomatically. “The Sterling Group
doesn’t run itself.”
My heart sank. He was going to take her away. “She’s happy with me. She hated that facility you had her in.”
Arthur cleared his throat. “Grandmother, you should rest. The doctor is coming
tomorrow.”
I turned to see Fiona standing there, her perfectly made–up face twisted with disdain. Beside her stood Alistair Dubois, my stepfather, looking uncomfortable.
Alistair looked deeply uncomfortable. “Mrs. Sterling, I apologize if Fiona has-”
Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut through the boutique’s hushed atmosphere.
“Grandmother, we’ve discussed this. Elara and I-
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This seemed to surprise him. “What about your job?”
“And you’re Grandson.” I closed the door softly behind him. “We should talk before you see her.”
“You shouldn’t be walking around without help, I chided gently.
“My grandmother is fond of Elara,” he said simply, neither confirming nor denying the relationship.
Arthur’s gaze fixed on me, cold and assessing. “We’ll continue this discussion later.” Without waiting for my response, he strode toward the bedroom.
Fiona’s smile froze. Her eyes darted between Arthur and me, shock replacing her previous disdain.
Arthur stood abruptly. “I need to make a call. Excuse me.”
Inside the store, salespeople immediately recognized Arthur, rushing to assist us. He ignored them all, leading me to a section of elegant dresses.
“I didn’t know she was your grandmother when I agreed to help her.” I kept my voice low. “I only found out after I moved her here.”
“It can wait,” I said simply.
I shot Arthur a panicked look. “Mrs. Sterling, that’s really not necessary—”
Fiona’s smile tightened. “Oh yes, we know each other very well. Elara is my stepsister, though I use the term loosely. She’s not really family, you see. Just the illegitimate daughter of my father’s mistress.”
I took a deep breath. “Your grandmother reached out to me directly. She wanted someone independent of the Sterling family to care for her. Someone without ulterior
motives.”
Fiona’s smile turned saccharine. “Actually, we’re here shopping for a gift. For your grandmother, in fact.” She glanced between Arthur and me, confusion evident. “Though I’m puzzled by your… companion.”
“You’re Need Iron.” It wasn’t a question. His voice was flat, controlled.
“Consider it payment for caring for my grandmother,” he replied pragmatically.
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“Miss Dubois,” he replied coolly. “Is there something you need?”
She waved me off. “Nonsense. I’m not dead yet.” Her sharp eyes landed on Fiona and Alistair. “Who are these people?”
Arthur’s jaw tightened. “And you encouraged this delusion?”
We rode in uncomfortable silence for several minutes before I finally spoke. “Thank you for not upsetting her yesterday.”
“She needs professional medical attention,” he countered.
The mall was bustling with weekend shoppers. Arthur guided me toward an exclusive boutique, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back. The gesture felt oddly intimate.
Mrs. Sterling snorted. “The company will survive without him for a few hours. What won’t survive is a marriage without attention.” She reached for my hand. “My dear, you mustn’t let him neglect you. Sterling men have a terrible habit of hiding behind their work.”
Mrs. Sterling’s expression darkened. “Is that so? And you think that gives you the right to speak to her disrespectfully in my presence?”
“Choose whatever you like,” he said. “My grandmother will expect to see you wearing it.”
“Oh, don’t give me that nonsense about being too busy,” she interrupted. “A man should spend time with his wife. You young people think marriage is something you can put on a shelf and dust off when convenient.”
Fiona, clearly annoyed at being dismissed, turned her attention back to me. “Elara, why don’t you run along and let the adults talk? I’m sure Mr. Sterling doesn’t need you hovering.”
Alistair stepped forward. “Mr. Sterling, it’s an honor. We were hoping to pay our respects to Mrs. Sterling. Fiona’s fiancé speaks very highly of his great–grandmother.”
Mrs. Sterling raised an imperious eyebrow. “The very same.”
Arthur fell silent, contemplating something as the car pulled up to Sterling Mall. The driver opened our door, and Arthur surprised me by offering his hand to help me out.
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“How thoughtful, Arthur replied without warmth. “Though unnecessary”
The color drained from Alistair’s face as he realized they had just insulted the wife of his stepdaughter in front of one of the most powerful women in Oceanion–the very person whose favor they had come to curry.
“Manor?” Mrs. Sterling scoffed. ‘I’m not staying in that mausoleum. I’m living with my grandson and his lovely wife.” She patted my hand affectionately.
“Not everyone feels the need to broadcast their personal life,” Arthur replied coldly.
1 felt my cheeks warm. “Mrs. Sterling…”
Mrs. Sterling beamed, reaching up to pat his check. “Much better now that you’re here. Have you met my lovely companion? She’s been taking excellent care of me.”
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