Chapter 2

When I realized that was the case, I didn’t immediately expose her.

Instead, I asked innocently, “What about Caleb? Natalie is hospitalized. I called him dozens of times, but he picked up none of my calls.”

“He went on a business trip overseas,” Olivia replied to me, her answer coming swiftly. “Work has been very busy for him recently. You clearly know about it. I can care for the child. Don’t keep going to him for every trivial matter and affect his work.”

I didn’t say anything in response.

Before I called Olivia, Caleb Johnson had already replied to my text with something dismissive.

[At a meeting. Mom is taking care of Natalie, she’ll be fine.]

Even upon knowing that her daughter was hospitalized, he didn’t ask whether her condition was severe or even promise to come visit.

It was as though his daughter’s hospitalization was no big deal.

How did I never realize how cold and heartless he was to Natalie?

“Wanda, you’re still overseas now, right?” Olivia probed.

“I’m at the hospital.”

“What?” Her voice turned up a notch higher. “You’re back already?”

She didn’t sound surprised. In fact, she sounded panicked.

She hung up even before getting my answer to her question.

Less than an hour later, the door to Natalie’s ward was pushed open. Olivia barged in, panting hard.

She threw herself onto the bedside and grabbed Natalie’s hands, tears falling down her cheeks as if on cue.

“My darling, how did you end up fainting in school? I even made you eat one more egg this morning, and you refused to listen. Was the food in school not to your liking?”

My brows furrowed as I listened to her. Natalie was resting, and all the noise she was making might wake Natalie up.

As I had expected, Natalie opened her eyes, looking bleary.

The moment she got a good look at who it was right before her, there was a slight change in her expression. She instinctively pulled her hand away from her grandmother’s grip.

Olivia’s sobs halted abruptly as she looked guiltily at me.

She then stood up and said dotingly to Natalie, “Natalie, did you faint because you didn’t eat the breakfast I prepared for you this morning?”

Natalie bowed her head, biting her lips hard.

“This child is getting more and more disobedient,” Olivia said as she looked helplessly at me.

“I cook so much good food for her, and she refuses to eat them. I ask her why and she doesn’t tell me, either.

“Even at my age, my life practically revolves around her, fearing she might injure herself or have something untoward happen to her. Yet, this still ended up happening to her.”

She looked greatly indignant.

“Wanda, you don’t think I’m not taking good care of her, do you?”

I stared at her for a few seconds before shaking my head. “Why would I?”

She heaved a sigh of relief and started blaming the school, the teachers, and the hospital, completely forgetting about blaming herself.

When we left the hospital, Olivia kept fussing over Natalie, but Natalie replied to none of her questions of concern.

After we reached home, Olivia immediately stepped into the kitchen and started preparing a soup.

The fridge was filled with fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables. There was even a half-eaten cake on the table.

Everything seemed normal.

In fact, it looked like they lived a relatively comfortable life.

Very soon, Olivia served Natalie some chicken soup and patiently coaxed her, “My dear, I’ve cooled it down and it’s not hot anymore.”

She started feeding Natalie, spoon by spoon, looking every bit the tender, loving and perfect grandmother.

If it weren’t for the medical report that was still in my bag, I would have doubted myself for overthinking things.

At night, while in bed with Natalie, I asked her softly, “Natalie, tell me. What do you usually eat at home? Does Grandma beat you?”

Her body stiffened up.

I gently patted her through the blanket and comforted her tenderly, “Don’t be scared. I’m here. I’ll protect you.”

She looked at me for a long time before her lips finally moved.

Just then, Olivia barged in with a warm glass of milk in hand.

“Wanda, you must be tired after the long flight. Do rest early.”

She placed the glass of milk on the bedside table and looked at Natalie.

“Natalie, be good and don’t disturb your mom from her rest.”

There was a smile on her face when she said so, but Natalie’s body trembled under the covers.