18 Chapter 18 – A Tale of Two Granddaughters
18 Chapter 18 – A Tale of Two Granddaughters
“Change of plans,” he said. “I spoke with Dr. Chen last night after you went to bed. My grandmother’s condition is more delicate than I realized.”
Arthur’s jaw tightened. “It means we need to be careful how we proceed. I still intend to help you, but we need to do it discreetly.”
She patted my hand again. “My grandson learned the hard way that showing mercy to enemies is a luxury he couldn’t afford. His father and brother nearly destroyed him before he was strong enough to fight back.”
A maid appeared with coffee and freshly baked pastries. The aroma made my stomach growl embarrassingly loud.
“I’ll be right there,” I called back, sliding out of the silky sheets.
“He had an early meeting,” she explained, watching me with sharp eyes that belied her frail appearance. “But he left strict instructions for Harrison to drive you wherever you need to go today.”
“I’m just surprised,” I admitted.
“There you are!” she exclaimed. “I was just telling Dr. Chen about the wedding. How beautiful you looked in your red dress, Elara.”
My heart skipped traitorously. Even in simple business attire–a charcoal suit with no tie–he commanded attention. His face was set in its usual stoic expression, but I detected a hint of fatigue around his eyes.
“So what does that mean for us?” I asked cautiously.
“I can’t put my entire life on hold indefinitely,” I said. “I have commitments, responsibilities.”
Morning light streamed through the unfamiliar curtains as I stirred awake. For a moment, I couldn’t remember where I was. Then it all came rushing back–Old Mrs. Sterling’s insistence that I stay the night, Arthur’s reluctant agreement, and the unexpected luxury of the guest suite they’d provided.
My stomach twisted. Typical Fiona.
12:58
1/7
18 Chapter 18 – A Tale of Two Granddaughters
“Nonsense!” she declared. “I’ve been thinking about your marriage certificate. You’ll need it for the IPO Elara mentioned yesterday.”
A soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.
“Fine,” I conceded. “A few days.”
I sat up, running my fingers through my tangled hair. The events of yesterday still felt surreal. How had I gone from a simple plan to get divorced to being caught in the middle of Sterling family drama?
“I won’t hear of it,” she interrupted firmly. “Arthur insists, and so do I.”
I quickly dressed in yesterday’s clothes, wishing I’d had the foresight to bring something fresh. After splashing water on my face and finger–combing my hair, I
headed downstairs.
I met Arthur’s gaze across the room, both of us struggling to process this bombshell. These certificates changed everything. Our marriage wasn’t some clerical error–it was real, documented, and apparently deliberate.
A chill ran down my spine as I processed this new information about the man I was legally bound to. What kind of person would force someone to kneel outdoors all night?
I felt a pang in my chest. “That’s why she keeps clinging to this idea of me being her granddaughter–in–law?”
Mrs. Sterling shrugged. “The Sterlings/don’t tolerate disrespect. Arthur may have modern business practices, but when it comes to family matters, he’s quite
traditional.”
“Making her kneel outside all night? Don’t you think that was excessive?”
Something flickered across his face–surprise at my genuine concern, perhaps.
My cheeks warmed. “I think you’re mistaken.”
“So do I,” he countered. “My grandmother’s health is my priority right now.”
“Your grandmother insisted I stay for breakfast,” I replied. “I thought we were meeting at the Civil Affairs Bureau.”
12:68
2/7
18 Chapter 18 – A Tale of Two Granddaughters
+275
“These aren’t lost at all,” she said triumphantly, handing one to each of us. “They’ve been with me the whole time.”
“A pleasure,” Dr. Chen said, studying me with interest. “Mrs. Sterling speaks highly of you.”
I crossed my arms. “And Fiona? I heard what happened last night.”
“But-”
I stared down at the certificate in my hands, my name and Arthur’s printed clearly alongside an official government seal and date from five years ago. This wasn’t a mistake or misunderstanding. These were authentic.
I blinked in shock. While I had no love for Fiona, Arthur’s punishment seemed medieval.
“No,” he said coldly. “In the Sterling family, disrespect has consequences. Fiona needs
to learn that.”
An elderly Asian man entered with a medical bag. He bowed respectfully to Mrs. Sterling before turning to me with curious eyes.
“Already?” She sighed. “Very well, show him in.”
“Grandmother,” he said, his voice strained, “how did you get these?”
She chuckled. “Am I? Then why did he rush to the main house last night after you’d
gone to bed?”
But who had arranged it? And why couldn’t either of us remember?
I opened my mouth to correct her but decided against it. What was the point? By tomorrow, we’d have sorted this marriage mess out anyway.
There was no point arguing. I nodded my agreement and continued eating.
Before I could ask more questions, Harrison appeared at the doorway. “Mrs. Sterling, Dr. Chen is here for your check–up.”
Mrs. Sterling smiled serenely. “They came in the mail, of course. After you two registered your marriage. Don’t you remember?”
“Eat,” the old woman encouraged. “You’re too thin.”
12:58
317
18 Chapter 18 – A Tale of Two Granddaughters
“As long as necessary,” he replied evenly. “Is that a problem?”
Arthur looked equally stunned as he examined his copy.
“That seems… harsh,” I managed.
“You know,” Mrs. Sterling said after a comfortable silence, “you’re the first woman Arthur’s ever brought home.”
Arthur nodded. “We’ll be right there.”
Harrison disappeared and returned moments later with an ornate wooden box. Mrs. Sterling took it with trembling hands and opened the lid.
Mrs. Sterling leaned forward conspiratorially. “Harrison told me everything. Apparently, Fiona was ranting about you to anyone who would listen, saying horrible things about how you’d manipulated me.”
I thought about my company’s impending IPO. About George’s deadline. About the life I’d built that was now hanging in the balance.
“To put that nasty girl Fiona in her place, of course.” Mrs. Sterling’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “My grandson may act cold, but he protects what’s his.”
My heart raced. How did she know about the IPO?
We walked back to the house in tense silence. When we entered Mrs. Sterling’s sitting room, I was surprised to see her looking more animated than before, her eyes bright
with excitement.
He nodded, running a hand through his dark hair. “Apparently, seeing me ‘settled‘ gives her peace. Dr. Chen thinks contradicting her belief could trigger another episode.”
“He made her kneel outside the hall all night as punishment for disrespecting his grandmother.” Mrs. Sterling looked positively delighted at this. “The temperature dropped to near freezing, and he wouldn’t let anyone bring her a blanket.”
“I kept them safe all these years,” she said proudly, removing two small red books. “When the registrar sent them to me for safekeeping, I knew they’d be important
someday.”
“You look troubled,” she observed.
12:58 6200
18 Chapter 18 – A Tale of Two Granddaughters
“This isn’t up for debate,” he cut me off. “What happens in my family is my business.”
As I bit into a buttery croissant, I noticed Arthur wasn’t at the table. “Is your grandson- not joining us?”
This caught my attention. “He went to the main house? Why?”
“What did he do?” I whispered.
Before I could respond, Harrison approached us. “Mr. Sterling, your grandmother is asking for both of you. Dr. Chen has finished his examination.”
“It’s not important right now,” I said quickly.
“Miss Dubois? Mrs. Sterling is asking for you.” It was Harrison, the butler’s formal voice unmistakable.
“Physically, she’s stable,” he explained. “But emotionally, she’s… fragile. Dr. Chen believes her fixation on you being my wife stems from her fear of dying and leaving me
alone.”
“That’s very kind, but I can manage—”
I bit back a retort, reminding myself that I needed his cooperation. “Fine. So what’s the new plan for our… situation?”
“I’ll have my lawyers look into it quietly,” he said. “In the meantime, I need you to keep up appearances around my grandmother. Visit her occasionally. Let her think we’re working things out.”
The Sterling garden was breathtaking–a meticulously maintained sanctuary of flowering trees and stone pathways. I wandered among the blossoms, lost in thought, until I spotted Arthur striding across the lawn toward me.
His expression darkened. “What about her?”
I frowned. “Is she going to be alright?”
“Perhaps you could show Elara to the garden while I have my examination?” Mrs. Sterling suggested to Harrison. “It’s too lovely a morning to be cooped up inside.”
As Harrison walked away, Arthur turned back to me. “Just a few more days, Elara. That’s all I’m asking.”
12:58
55/7
18 Chapter 18–A Tale of Two Granddaughters
She patted my hand. “Nonsense. You needed your rest after yesterday’s excitement.”
“What happened?” I asked, curiosity overriding my better judgment.
I froze, exchanging a panicked glance with Arthur. We’d never discussed any wedding details.
“You’re still here,” he stated flatly.
“Of course it is!” She gestured to Harrison. “Bring me the box from my bedside drawer.”
“And how long will this charade last?” I demanded.
Old Mrs. Sterling sat in her wheelchair by the breakfast table, her face lighting up when she saw me. “There you are, dear! I was beginning to think you’d sleep all day.”
“Grandmother,” Arthur began carefully, “perhaps you should rest now.”
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” I said, taking the seat beside her.
I almost choked on my coffee. Had Arthur forgotten our plan to meet at the Civil
Affairs Bureau?
“When Arthur arrived,” she continued, “he found her in the ancestral hall, mocking me
to Caleb and that awful mother of hers. He was furious.”
“Oh, I know what you both say,” she waved dismissively. “But a grandmother knows things. I see how he looks at you when he thinks no one is watching.”
His unexpected use of “asking” rather than “demanding” caught me off guard. Was this the same man who’d forced his nephew’s fiancée to kneel outdoors all night?
She held out the marriage certificates–real, official–looking documents with gold
embossing.
I set my cup down carefully. “Mrs. Sterling, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Arthur and I aren’t-”
Harrison nodded, gesturing for me to follow him. As we left the room, I heard Dr. Chen ask, “Has she been taking her medication regularly?”
“Dr. Chen, this is Elara, Arthur’s wife,” Mrs. Sterling introduced me proudly.
12:58
