<h4>Chapter 353: A chance that he is alive...</h4>


    Knowing her grandmother’s skill in medicine, Jessica found it hard to ept that Nora’s pregnancy, so closely monitored and free ofplications, could have ended in a stillbirth.


    "Prolongedbour?" she murmured aloud, then shook her head. "Definitely impossible."


    As she wrestled with the thought, Nelly’s voice broke the silence beside her.


    "I didn’t believe it either," the old woman said, drawing in a deep breath. "But then I was handed a lifeless baby boy... they said he was Nora’s child."


    At that moment, holding the baby tightly wrapped in a brown carton, they had both felt pain, anger, and dismay.


    Nora had borne that pregnancy with carefulness and hope. She had exhausted every preparation necessary to wee the twins.


    So many times, she had told Nora, the twins are a testament of the love that was denied.


    To Nora, they meant everything.


    That was why she had insisted on Nelly’s presence in the Brown household to protect what she valued most and help nurse herself and the children.


    When Jessica came of age, Nelly returned to the countryside, believing her duty was fulfilled.


    "And the baby?" Jessica asked in contemtion, her brow furrowed.


    "He had been buried in the Brown family Cemetery," she answered.


    Jessica shook her head with resignation and disbelief. The more she thought about that incident, the more she suspected something fishy.


    "Grandma, don’t you think something about all this feels... wrong?"


    Nelly nced over at her, her fingers tightening on her walking stick as she exhaled deeply. This question had lived in the shadows of her heart for years, gnawing at her conscience.


    If she had been just a moment earlier, if she had noticed one more sign, maybe the child could have been saved.


    Maybe Nora wouldn’t have died with regret etched into her soul.


    But there’s no medicine for regrets. No antidote for what has passed.


    While Nelly was lost in thought, busy wallowing in regrets, Jessica’s voice sounded beside her as she began analyzing the situation, her tone sharper now.


    "Boarding a taxi to the hospital only to end up in the middle of the road where essibility to other taxis is impossible?"


    "A taxies along when she has reached her limit or more possibly when the n has been totally implemented?"


    Nelly lifted her head, listening intently while she stared at her dumbfounded.


    "Then on her arrival, she was handed a dead baby?"


    Jessica continued. "Unless my mother passed out along the way, which could be induced... all of it seems too perfectly timed."


    Nelly’s eyes widened. "Jessica... Do you think something was done deliberately?" Her heart raced with fear.


    Jessica nodded grimly. "I do." There is no need to hide it from her.


    A heavy silence fell between them.


    "What can be done?" Nelly whispered, her voice trembling with rage and pain.


    She had never thought about it this way.


    She had never imagined the plights of Nora to be man-made.


    Tears sprang to her eyes as she clutched Jessica’s hands with her trembling hand, her wrinkled fingers tightening with surprising strength around hers.


    "You must avenge her. she whispered hoarsely.


    "You must make the culprit pay the price..." she murmured, her gaze boring into Jessica’s eyes as she hoped for her approval, her simple nod of acknowledgement.


    "Make whoever did this pay... make them feel the pain they caused her."


    Jessica’s blood boiled, yet she kept a calm front. She couldn’t lose herposure before her grandmother.


    "Grandma, please calm down," she said gently. "You need to take care of your health."


    Grandma Nelly nodded her head in agreement.


    She wouldn’t let her health stand in the way of seeking justice for her daughter.


    She wished to see the truth revealed.


    She wished to see the evildoers who had separated her daughter and her grandson pay a painful price, and she would wish so much to be the one to inflict that pain.


    Yet, she understood it so well. Her age is bing a barrier to what she could do.


    Above all, she hoped she could give Nora an ount and her bitter heart rest.


    Her gaze was cold and unwavering as they met Jessica’s eyes. "You must get to the root of the matter," she said as her hands tightened over Jessica’s.


    Jessica sighed, patting the back of her palm holding hers tightly as a soft smile danced on her lips. "Grandma, you don’t have to worry about it."


    She thought for a while as she weighed on the possible reaction she might have telling her of the recent discovery.


    After a brief thought, she decided to give it a go. "Grandma, "What if... the baby you buried wasn’t her child at all?" she added quietly.


    Grandma Nelly took a calming breath as she carefully thought about it as if the weight of that suggestion needed time tond.


    "Jessy, do you have any findings you are not telling me?"


    Jessica yfully nudged her lightly in the bid to relieve the tension. "Not certain yet. But there’s a strong chance that he’s alive. She said quietly.


    Though she still had her doubts, it wouldn’t be wrong to assume the clear possibility of Julian being her brother since thest confirmation she needed was the test result.


    Grandma Nelly sighed as she wiped away the faint traces of tears that had clouded her eyes. "I just wished for that miracle, but then I watched him being buried."


    Jessica nodded. There is no point raising her hope, and maybe when the result turns out negative, it will be more painful.


    With this thought, she made a silent decision to wait until confirmation of the facts, and if it turns out true, then she would personally bring Julian over for recognition.


    "Alright, Grandma. Enough of the sad stories of the past," Jessica said.


    Grandma Nelly wiped her eyes as she nodded with seriousness. "Yes, enough of the sad stories. Now tell me, how have you been doing?"


    "Grandma, can you now stop worrying about me?" She spread out her hands. "I am doing very well now."


    Grandma Nelly’s eyes reddened. "I am happy. I can see you are doing great."


    Jessica spent ample time with Nelly. They talked for a while longer, reminiscing andughing through bittersweet memories.


    When the sun reached its peak, Jessica rose to prepare for her journey back to the city.


    Grandma led her to the car, her eyes reddening with every step she took.


    Jessica gave her a long, tight hug before slipping into the backseat. Nelly’s voice choked as she bade her farewell. "Take care of yourself," she said.


    Relief surged through her body as she settled into the car. With the few discoveries she was able to make, Jessica had the faith that by morning she would be having a clear understanding of the situation.


    As the car pulled away, she looked back at the old woman standing in the doorway; frail, proud, and full of pain, she felt grateful for her sacrifices.