Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 139

Chapter 139

Aria’s POV

I had already decided. The first thing I’d do after my mom came back was take her to see Grandma at the nursing home. After all, Grandma had held onto her resentment for years because of Mom’s sudden disappearance. Now that she was finally back, Grandma deserved to know.

I didn’t tell Mom where we were going. So when she got in the car, she thought we were heading out shopping. She was all smiles and practically skipping.

But the second the car stopped in front of the nursing home, her face changed.

“Where the hell is this?” she snapped.

“Grandma’s nursing home. She’s been missing you all this time. Don’t you want to see her?”

Honestly, it was strange. Mom hadn’t even asked about Grandma once since she came back. It’s cold. Even for her.

“No, I do not want to see her. Plus I thought we were going shopping,” she said, bristling.

I let out a sharp breath, starting to wonder if saving her from Grayson had been a huge mistake. “Is shopping for luxury stuffs all you ever care about? She’s your mother. How can you not care at all? What the hell is wrong with you?”

She froze, then forced out a smile. “Well, that’s because… I know you’re taking good care of her. She’s in good hands. I don’t even need to go inside to know she’s fine. And honestly, she probably won’t be happy to see me.”

That much was true. Grandma would be livid.

“But you’re still going in,” I said flatly. Then I grabbed her wrist and dragged her into the home.

I had already told them we were coming, so May was there with Grandma, waiting in the activity room.

When we walked in, May lit up and waved at me. Then she gently tapped Grandma’s shoulder, reminding her, “Hey, Grandma…look who’s here.”

Mom trailed behind me, moving slowly. Her eyes locked on Grandma, wary, almost… afraid.

“What are you waiting for? Go on. Don’t you recognize your own mother?” I urged and gave her a nudge.

She swallowed hard and shuffled forward, crouching in front of Grandma’s wheelchair.

“Hi, Mom… do you remember me?” she asked with a nervous smile.

Grandma’s cloudy eyes focused on her face. Mom stiffened, actually holding her breath. I don’t get it. It seemed she’s sweating a little. Was she scared Grandma would still hate her?

12:49 Tue, Sep 30

Chapter 189

Suddenly, Grandma slammed a hand down on the armrest of her chair. Her raspy voice cut the air like a blade:

You… you are not my daughter!”

WHAT?!

I whipped my head toward my mom. Her face had gone pale.

国

My pulse shot up. I crouched beside Grandma and grabbed her hand. “Grandma, what do you mean she’s not your daughter?”

“This old woman’s obviously insane! She doesn’t even know what she’s saying!” Mom shouted.

“Hey! Are you serious right now? She’s your mother!” May said, furious.

“I’m just being honest. Look at her–she can barely keep her eyes open. You really think she can recognize me?”

“Shut up!” I snapped at her, and turned back to Grandma. I held her fragile hand tighter and asked louder one more time, “Grandma, is she… is she your daughter, Jolene?”

For a second, I so hoped Grandma was telling the truth–that Mom wasn’t hers. Maybe all this pain wasn’t really mine to bear.

Grandma’s hand trembled. After a long silence, her breathing grew rough:

“No… she’s not my daughter. Because…Because I don’t have a daughter like this! Selfish… heartless… abandoning her family… Jolene, how could you? Aria was only five years old. She needed you-”

I let go of her hand, my little spark of hope completely crushed.

I’d misunderstood.

Grandma wasn’t denying mom’s identity. She was still hating her. That’s all.

And honestly, everything she said just now–selfish, heartless, and cold–they all fit the woman in front of me too well.

Mom clearly relaxed. She smoothed her hair and scoffed. “Seriously? She’s blaming me now? It’s not like she has been too much of a help to you either. Just look at this fancy nursing home. You must be paying a shit load for this. I’m telling you this old woman’s a burden. If you ask me, you should check her out already and put that money toward something more meaningful-”

“SHUT UP!”

I shot to my feet, blazing with fury. “How dare you say that? All those years you were gone…Grandma’s the one who worked two shifts a day to bring me up. And that was supposed to be your fucking job! She sacrificed her health, and that’s why she’s like this now. And you feel no guilt? Do you even have a heart?”

She curled her lip. “I already said I’m sorry…”

12:49 Tue, Sep 30

Chapter 139

“One apology isn’t enough. You owe us too much”

200

She rolled her eyes, impatient. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I owe you. I’m selfish. I’m heartless. Fine. But do you have to repeat it in my car every single day? It’s getting very old.”

“Because you never take it to heart-

“I’m going shopping.” she cut me off. “When you figure out how to talk to your own mother more properly, then come find me.”

And with that, she spun on her heel, strutting out in her high heels.

“Wow,” May muttered dramatically.

“I know.” I slumped into a chair, exhausted. “Welcome to my family.”

“Forgive me, but this is nothing like the woman you described,” she said, sitting beside me. “Where’s the gentle and beautiful goddess who sang songs to you? Why did you get this hysterical witch instead?”

“I’m wondering the same thing,” I muttered. “Maybe the years changed her. Or maybe….the five–year–old me was just insane.”

She patted my shoulder. “Forget her. How’s your treatment going?”

I told her how Mom refused to cooperate, then laughed bitterly. “Just wait. I’ll probably be the first person to die in the battle between my blood family and my lover.”

“You have to ask Grayson for help,” May said firmly.

“Ask him what? To marry me? I’m not that desperate yet.” My voice came out sharp.

“Not necessarily marriage. But Alpha Grayson might be the only one who can help you right now. Counting on that cold–blooded woman? Impossible. You need to talk to him. Make him understand you two are on the same side.”

I let out a frustrated sigh.

I knew she was right. Fixing things with Grayson was the smart move. This was no time to turn him into an

enemy.

But still… begging him to save my life made me feel even more pathetic.

“… Yeah you’re right. I’ll talk to him,” I murmured.

She squeezed my hand. “I know you’re frustrated. That’s probably the downside of dating a man with power and money. You can’t never have the upper hand. But hey- you can’t have it all, right?”

I just shook my head, too heavy–hearted to reply.

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