Grandma let out a heavy sigh.


    She knew. Of course she did.


    She’d watched Ruby grow up from the very beginning. That girl always had her pride. Back when Theo married Patricia, Ruby stormed out of the wedding and left the country in a rage. If life overseas had really been good to her, nothing could’ve dragged her back. The fact that she was here now meant she’d thought this through–a return with a purpose. <fnd6e1> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on find?novel</fnd6e1>


    As for Patricia, marrying Theo had never been her choice. She was forced into it.


    “Grandma, you don’t want the Newtons tangled up with the Martins anymore, right? If that’s true, does that mean Ruby’s out of the picture?” Nina’s voice trembled with hope and fear.


    “Nina, love isn’t something I can control, Grandma interrupted, shutting down Nina’s desperate plea. Nina slumped into her chair,pletely deted. Grandma’s words felt like someone had yanked away herst bit of support.


    Just a few days ago, Grandma had held Nina’s hand in the Newton estate, talking about the future–promising that if she got pregnant, she’d help her marry into the family. Now that Patricia had thrown everything into chaos, suddenly they were all backing away.


    So what did that make her? A ceholder? Just someone Theo used whenever he needed. <!--


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    Nina looked up, tears streaking her face. “I get it now. None of you ever really wanted me. You just wanted my womb.”


    The words hit Grandma like a p, filling her with shame.


    If Patricia was stuck with Theo for life, maybe having him father a child with someone else seemed like the only solution. But now that Theo and Patricia were divorced, there were better options. Nina wasn’t the only choice anymore.


    Grandma couldn’t bring herself to answer.


    Nina gave a


    sharp, bitterugh. “No wonder. No wonder Patricia wanted to destroy you all.”


    “Nina!” Grandma called as Nina got up to leave, waving the housekeeper over from the hospital room.


    “Take her home,” Grandma instructed quietly.


    As the housekeeper drew near, Grandma lowered her voice. “Make sure she gets back safely–and don’t let her say <b>anything </b>in front of the reporters downstairs.”


    The housekeeper nodded.


    Trouble just kepting, one wave after another. Always because of the women.


    The housekeeper had barely left when Grandma took a moment at the doorway, trying to collect herself. She was about to head inside when the elevator doors slid open.


    Jackson wheeled Patricia out. In Patricia’s arms was a bouquet of yellow tulips.


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>13:31 </b>


    Grandma wouldter find out that yellow tulips could mean love and romance, but sometimes, they meant “abandonment.”


    “Grandma.”


    “Pattie, what brings you here?”


    “I came to see Mr. Newton.”


    Their voices were cold, distant. <b>Polite</b><b>, </b>but just for show–neither wanted outsiders to <b>see </b>the mess between them.


    Grandma stayed put at the door, making no move to let Patricia in. After all, what decent woman could strip a man of his dignity in front of everyone?


    She was afraid Theo might have some kind of breakdown if he saw Patricia.


    “What’s wrong? Am I not allowed in?” Patricia asked gently, her tone soft and sweet.


    Grandma stared at her, refusing to budge.


    “Patricia, why bother?”


    “I never started any of this, did 1?” Patricia replied quietly.


    She’d never been the one to start the drama. And now, the people who’d hurt her were asking why she was here. What a joke.


    “Grandma, are you really not letting me in?” Patricia asked again, her voice so calm and patient it almost sounded kind.


    She waited a few minutes, but Grandma never answered.


    Patricia finally set the flowers down on the bench outside the door. “I wish Mr. Newton a quick recovery.”