Ste felt she couldn''t refuse. "Grandma Connolly," she said.


    Old Mrs. Connolly was thrilled. "Darling, Neville was spoiled rotten as a child; he doesn''t know the first thing about taking care of a woman. Don''t you worry. When you get here, I''ll give him a good talking-to. It''s ridiculous that he doesn''t even know what his own wife likes to eat. But that''s alright. From now on, Grandma will remember your favorites for you."


    Her voice was kind and warm. "And if he ever dares to upset you, you just tell me, and I''ll set him straight."


    "Thank you, Grandma," Ste said.


    "I saw your picture at Marvin''s ce," Old Mrs. Connolly continued, her voice filled with excitement. "I never thought Neville would find such a beautiful wife. I''ve already told him he''d better not mistreat you..."


    She went on for a while longer until Neville, unable to listen anymore, gently took the phone from Ste. "Alright, Grandma, we can talk more when we get home."


    "Oh, yes, yes. There I go, rambling again," she said.


    "Grandma," Neville added, "Star doesn''t eat seafood or raw food. Please make sure those aren''t served."


    "I''ll remember that, dear," she replied.<fn8d73> Th?s chapter is updated by fι?dnοvel</fn8d73>


    ***


    At the Connolly residence, Neville made the introductions. "Star, this is my grandmother."


    Ste looked at the silver-haired woman with a kind smile and said respectfully, "It''s a pleasure to meet you, Grandma."


    Old Mrs. Connolly''s face crinkled into a joyful smile as she took Ste''s hand. "Oh, my dear, you''re even more beautiful than in the pictures! Neville, you''re a lucky man."


    She then ushered Ste to the dining table. The old woman was incredibly easygoing, and Ste felt no


    difort at all. Even when


    learned that Ste had been marri


    before and had a child, she showed


    no sion of judgme


    sign of judgment or disapproval. In fact, upon discovering Ste was a former violinist, she seemed to like her even more.


    Ste had worried that pretending to be Neville''s fiancée would be awkward, but the afternoon passed quickly in pleasant conversation with Old Mrs. Connolly, Neville, and Marvin.


    As evening approached, Neville interrupted the conversation. "Grandma, Marvin, Star and I have ns tonight, so we should be going."


    Old Mrs. Connolly held onto Ste''s hand, reluctant to let her go. "Star, my dear, remember toe back for dinner with Neville often."


    Looking at the kind old woman, Ste''s heart ached a little. With her terminal illness, she had less than half a year left. Ste nodded and said softly, "I will."


    "Bring the gift I prepared for my granddaughter-inw," Old Mrs. Connolly said to the butler.


    The butler nodded and returned with a small, square box. Inside, nestled on a velvet cushion, was a stunning bracelet set with brilliant green gemstones.


    "Star, this is a Connolly family heirloom, passed down to the daughters-inw," she said. "It''s my wee gift to you."


    Ste had a good eye for jewelry and


    could tell at a nce that the


    bracelet was priceless. To be a family heirloom, it had to be


    exceptional and its color,


    rity, and


    quality were all superb. She


    estimated it was worth well over a


    hundred million.