Anneliese''s hand shook, causing the hot water to spill and ssh across the back of her hand.


    She didn''t register the sting. Instead, she just stared at Nishay in disbelief, her eyes taking in Nishay''s harsh re.


    "Grandma, what are you saying? You think I cheated with Jonathan while I was still married?" she asked tremulously, barely able to keep her voice steady.


    Her grandmother replied icily, "Jonathan hired Dr. Chevalier to treat me. However, you were still living with Zacharias when I had my first surgery."


    "Grandma, you knew Zacharias was the one who cheated on me! We were already divorced then! I only moved back in with him because I was afraid the truth would upset you.


    "I pretended we were still happily married so you wouldn''t be rolled into the operating room in despair! Jonathan''s a good and honest man. He didn''t do all these things just to get into your good graces.


    "How could you see plots when there aren''t any when ites to him? How could you demean him like that? Our rtionship is one built out of genuine respect and love!"


    Anneliese''s emotions were aplete mess in the face of Nishay''s suspicions. s, Nishay wasn''t the least bit convinced as her eyes only sharpened in displeasure.


    "Are you trying to tell me that I''m the viin of your love story? Is that it? You two never did end things, did you? Let me guess, you regret listening to me, too.


    "You also wish that an old maniptive crone like me, the same old fart who has ruined your wonderful love life, would just die on the operating table too, didn''t you?"


    Nishay''s usations felt like a stab through Anneliese''s heart. She had never imagined Nishay would humiliate her like this.


    Her eyes turned red-rimmed. "Grandma, calm down. You know what? Let''s all take a quick break."


    She turned to leave before she could do or say something she''d regret. However, she had just ced her hand on the doorknob when she heard a heavy thuding from behind her.


    Anneliese immediately spun around, her face turning stark white.


    Nishay had fallen from the hospital bed as she clutched her chest with a grimace.


    "Grandma!" Anneliese rushed to help her up before frantically pressing the call button.


    Nishay weakly pushed her hand away from the remote and leaned back onto the bed. "I''m fine. Don''t bother the doctor. I just got anxious when you were leaving, so I fell."


    Anneliese''s nose stung when she heard that. Her hurt and anger slowly ebbing away as sheid her eyes on Nishay''s pallid face.


    "The doctor still has to give you a quick checkup regardless of whether your heart''s working fine. What if you hurt something?"


    "I''ll be fine as long as you aren''t angry with me."


    Anneliese fell silent.


    Nishay noticed and let out a weary sigh.


    "I got worked up and ran my mouth. Your parents raised you well. How could I not know that? I was there when you were toddling around and now...


    "Now, you''re a grown woman. I know exactly what kind of person you are. I was too harsh on you."


    Nishay lowered her head and apologized.


    The guilt in Anneliese''s chest only grew heavier.


    She shouldn''t have argued with Nishay. After all, her health was frail, and she had a good reason to resent Jonathan''s family.


    So, she leaned gently into Nishay''s embrace just like she used to when she was a child.


    "Then, I should apologize too. I shouldn''t have argued or said those hurtful things in a fit of anger. I''ll be good and listen to you."


    Nishay ran her fingers through Anneliese''s hair. "Will you really listen to me?" "Yes."


    Anneliese nodded.


    Then, Nishay immediately said, "Good. Then, you should divorce Jonathan. I want to see the papers once you have them."


    Anneliese froze. The warmth she''d felt from moments ago evaporated instantly.


    Her nails dug into her palm as she slowly raised her head to look at Nishay. "Grandma, is this really necessary?"


    "You said you''ve already ended things, remember? If that''s the case, you might as well legalize it. Get the divorce," Nishay insisted, meeting her gaze with a resolute


    one.


    Anneliese''s face turned pale.


    Suddenly, she felt a wave of


    bone-deep weariness threatening to


    drown her. Her lips trembled,


    her throat constricted with all the


    words she couldn''t say.


    She couldn''t bring herself to lie to Nishay, but she also couldn''t ask Jonathan for a divorce.


    It didn''t even matter whether he would agree with it because she knew he wouldn''t.


    Just then, someone knocked on the door. She immediately jerked to her feet, grateful for the timely interruption.


    "I''ll get it."


    She hurried to the door and opened it.


    s, her blood froze in her veins when she saw the people standing outside, her


    heart clenching in fear and anxiety.


    It was Penelope and Derek. They had also brought their chauffeur, who was holding several gift bags in his arms.


    "Old Mr. and Mrs. Fullbuster, what brings you here?"


    She was caught off guard as her nerves pulled taut.


    Penelope recognized that she was being mindful of Nishay, who was still being hospitalized. So, she didn''t mind the distant way Anneliese was addressing her Instead she looked at Anneliese with sorrow and heartache.


    "Anne, how are you so skinny after just a few days? Have you not been


    eating while you''re taking care of your grandmother, she crooned Softly as she took Anneliese''s hand in hers.


    Anneliese winced, finally feeling the sting from the burn when it was touched.


    Penelope''s eyes instantly shot to her hand.