THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 135

Hearing her mother's words, Ann forced herself to swallow her irritation and picked up the bowl. "I'll go bring some nourishing soup to Grandma now," she said.

"Go ahead," Amanda replied with a nod.

Soon, Ann carried the tray into Keira's bedroom.

Keira was propped up against the pillows, looking frail and pale. She clutched an old photograph in her hand.

It was Freya's baby photo—taken when she was just a month old.

The tiny baby in the picture had fair skin, chubby cheeks, and eyes as big and bright as grapes—so adorable that you couldn't help but want to scoop her up and smother her with kisses.

Keira's eyes brimmed with tears as she gazed at the photo, her voice trembling. "Oh, Freya… Freya, you've nearly broken your poor grandma's heart…"

Seeing Keira lost in grief once again, Ann frowned ever so slightly, careful not to let it show.

Was there no end to this? Day after day, crying over a photograph. Could she be any gloomier? Even Ann's own good luck felt as if it was being washed away by Keira's endless tears.

Ann was annoyed, but she kept her feelings well hidden. With a gentle smile, she walked to the bedside and spoke softly. "Grandma, are you thinking about Freya again?"

Keira wiped her tears, her voice hoarse. "Only three days left until Freya's birthday. I wonder how she's doing now. That poor child… she must have suffered so much all these years."

Some things were just too painful to dwell on. If Keira let her mind go there, the tears would come and never stop.

Freya had only been three months old when she disappeared. What could a baby that young possibly understand? Why? Why did God have to be so cruel to her little Freya?

As Keira broke down again, a flicker of something unreadable passed through Ann's eyes.

Freya was just a baby when the accident happened. By now, she was probably long gone—how could a three-month-old survive in such harsh conditions? Even an adult would have struggled.

But Keira had always played favorites. Maybe this was karma finally catching up with her. She deserved to be left alone. She deserved never to find Freya.

Without betraying any of her thoughts, Ann set the bowl on the nightstand and pulled out a tissue, gently dabbing Keira's cheeks. She spoke in the same sweet, considerate tone she always used. "Grandma, please don't cry. If Freya knew you were so heartbroken over her every day, she'd feel terrible."

She pressed on, "Right now, you have to take care of yourself, stay healthy. That way, when Freya comes home, you'll be strong enough to welcome her and the whole family can be together again."

Ann's words struck right to the heart of Keira's longing.

Of course she wanted nothing more than to have her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter reunited under one roof.

Ann handed her the bowl. "Grandma, you haven't eaten much all day. Please, have a little soup. You need your strength—only if you stay healthy can you be here to see Freya come home to you."

Keira hadn't wanted to eat, but after Ann's gentle coaxing, her appetite returned.

—

The next morning came quickly.

It was the day Caitlin was to take Gordon for his follow-up appointment.

At dawn, Skyler arrived by car to pick up Caitlin.

Gordon was upstairs, busy with a video conference.

Downstairs, Alaina and Beatrice waited for Caitlin's arrival.

Alaina turned to her mother, curiosity in her voice. "Mom, why aren't you wearing that crimson silk dress? The one Ms. Addy made for you herself!"

To welcome Caitlin, Beatrice had two custom silk dresses made—one in a deep red, the other in the pearl-white she currently wore.

Although the pearl-white dress was beautifully made from the finest fabric, it still couldn't compare to the one Ms. Addy had crafted by hand.

Beatrice smiled. "You mean that one? I'm saving it for when I finally meet my lovely daughter-in-law in person."