Chapter 202
Chapter 202
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Back then, she had been very thin and had lots of friends.
Philip would ride on his scooter to pick her up from school.
Thomas and Jennifer hadn’t been like how they were now. Back then, Jennifer would buy her pretty dresses, and Thomas would tell her he’d handle whoever dared to bully her at school.
“But what about Shane? You’re husband and wife. How could you just come back?” Margaret suddenly had a thought and looked worried. “Riri, tell me the truth. Did you have a fight with Shane?”
“No.” Valeria still couldn’t bring herself to tell Margaret that her marriage to Shane was just an arrangement, especially after seeing how worried Margaret was. “Granny, Shane has to work overseas. There are good opportunities abroad.”
“Then your mother–in–law…” Margaret said.
Valeria tried her best to lighten her tone. “Who would want to live with their mother–in–law every day? Besides, she’s very open–minded. She’s already agreed to it.”
Margaret stayed quiet for a while, evidently still hesitant.
Valeria slipped her arm through Margaret’s. “I’m feeling so hungry. I didn’t eat anything on the way here. Granny, did you make me lunch?”
“You’re such a glutton.” Margaret got up and walked to the kitchen.
Valeria watched Margaret’s figure.
Margaret was bent over and so much shorter than Valeria now. Her head was full of gray hair. She walked slowly, leaning unsteadily on a cane.
Though she wore thick layers, each garment was thin and old. Valeria had bought herself so many clothes, but she was never willing to wear them.
When Margaret came back again, she carried a box of reheated milk and some food. Valeria looked at the milk and saw that it had expired more than two months ago.
During holidays, people would often bring gifts when they visited. Margaret would always store them away. In her eyes, the “good things” were to be saved until Valeria and Selena
came home.
She was a frugal and stubborn old lady.
Valeria didn’t drink the milk. She quietly put it in her suitcase instead.
Chama 2013
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She blamed herself. Why did she come back so late? She should have visited more often.
She stayed for two more days and spent New Year’s Day with Margaret.
She took out her phone and started a video call with Selena. She had already told Shane in advance and hoped he would play along.
On the screen, Margaret saw Selena and Shane together, smiling happily.
Shane said, “Happy New Year! I was planning on coming back with Valeria to see you, but my mother’s eyes still haven’t recovered, and Selena needs someone to take care of her, so… I’ll make sure to find time to visit you after the New Year.
“I’ve been busy with work. I’ve been so thankful to Val over the years. I think it’ll be good for
her to move back to Verdanci District.
“I’ll find time to visit when I can, too. It’s no trouble. I’ll be happy as long as you and Valeria can live well together.”
“Great–Grandma, Mommy, Happy New Year!” Selena made a heart shape with her hands at
the camera.
Margaret smiled, coughing a few times. She felt reassured seeing how in tune with each other Valeria and Shane seemed to be.
After Valeria hung up, she listened to Margaret’s cough. “Granny, I’ll be back in two weeks. Then, we’ll go to the hospital for a checkup.”
“What’s the point of a checkup? It’s just a cold and a cough. Recovery just takes longer at my age,” Margaret said.
Valeria pursed her lips. “No, we must go for a checkup.”
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