Feigning Illness Grandmother

Alrabella went out.

She got in the car and buckled her seatbelt.

A few days later, she saw Reginard. He looked a little thinner, his originally chiseled features even more chiseled. His eyebrows and eyes were so handsome that one could not look away.

Alrabella realized she still loved him very much, unable to forget him.

"This is a gift for your new job," Reginard handed her an exquisitely crafted deep blue velvet jewelry box.

Alrabella took it and opened the box.

Inside was a luxurious silver crucifix pendant, hanging on a necklace. The crucifix was a marked Victorian antique piece of pure silver.

The four arms and center were all decorated with delicate detailing, tiny intricate scrolls that would take hours of skilled silversmithing to accomplish. The silver had a lovely verdigris that only time could bestow.

Set into the center of the crucifix was a ruby, sparkling with deep red light even in dim lighting. The gem was cut into a perfect round brilliant to maximize its fire and light reflection.

The crucifix had nice heft in the palm, solid pure silver material. Clearly this was no cheap trinket but a work of artisanship.

Alrabella held the box, looking at him askance with a faint smile. "Why are you giving me such an expensive gift?"

Reginard smiled faintly, gazing into her eyes. "Restoring ancient books and paintings inevitably involves handling artifacts from tombs. Wearing something apotropaic can't hurt. Here, let me put it on you."

He picked up the necklace and reached to put it around Alrabella's neck.

He brushed her hair aside, his fingertips inadvertently grazing her nape.

The cold sensation sank into her bones, and Alrabella's skin shuddered slightly. Her heart 

shuddered along with it.

She had always been sensitive to his touch.

Thinking of their current relationship, Alrabella's heart ached slightly. She gave a wry smile. 

"Don't give me anything anymore in the future."

She was too prone to misunderstanding, misreading that he still had feelings for her.

She could not stop her own wild imaginings and desire for more.

Long fingers resting on the steering wheel, Reginard said lightly, "It's just a small gift, don't take it to heart."

He started the engine.

In half an hour, they arrived at the Thompson family manor.

As soon as they entered, Reginard's white-haired grandmother tottered over to welcome them.

She grabbed Alrabella in a big hug. "Oh, my precious grandson's new bride! I've missed you so these past few days!"

Alrabella felt the grandmother's actions were a bit exaggerated today.

Usually, she was very dignified.

Alrabella smiled and asked, "Grandmother, is there some important matter you wanted to discuss with 

me?"

The old woman took her hand, glancing at Reginard, and said, "Let's eat first, then talk after the 

meal."

The meal was prepared very lavishly, the table piled high with rare delicacies.

The grandmother kept heaping food onto Alrabella's plate.

She smiled at Alrabella. "Three years ago, I had Reginard select a new bride from all the eligible girls in the city. Among the many photos, I was drawn to yours at first glance. Your slender eyebrows and bright eyes, your long earlobes, one look and I knew you would bring tremendous wealth to your husband. Sure enough, after marrying you, not even two years later, Reginard's injured leg recovered and his business began prospering more than before."

Suddenly, the grandmother covered her mouth as a violent coughing spell hit her.

Alrabella quickly patted her back gently.

After the coughing passed, the grandmother grasped Alrabella's hand. "My dear, you are perfect in 

every way - gentle, quiet, hardworking, loyal. Those two years when Reginard's leg injury left him unable to stand, he was irritable and drove many nurses and servants away. But you alone stayed steadfastly by his side. If not for you accompanying him through that tribulation, who knows if he might have been disabled for life."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.

Alrabella hurriedly took out a handkerchief to wipe the old woman's eyes.

Reginard's hand gripped his chopsticks tightly, his gaze gloomy and pensive.

The grandmother glanced at him, breathing heavily. "My only wish now is to see you and Reginard happily together, and hold a big fat great-grandchild soon."

Alrabella looked at Reginard awkwardly.

Clearly he had not yet informed his grandmother of their impending divorce.

The grandmother's voice grew weaker, "I'm so old now, I could pass any day. My dying wish is to see you two have a child before I go, so I can die content."

Alrabella's nose soured, and she quickly said, "Grandmother, you'll definitely live to 100."

"I know my own body best. Over 80 now, just skin and bones left." The grandmother clutched her chest, slowly standing up. "My heart doesn't feel well, I need to lie down for a bit."

Alrabella hurried to help her into the bedroom.

Just as they neared the bedroom door, the grandmother suddenly turned to Reginard and said, "Starting tonight, you two will live here. Once Alrabella has a child, you can move back to your own home."

Reginard was about to reply.

The grandmother limped into the bedroom bent over, tottering with each step.

Alrabella carefully and gently supported her, afraid too much force would cause pain.

Lying in bed, the grandmother grasped Alrabella's hand and softly said, "I know you've moved back to your mother's home. Don't worry, with me here, this marriage cannot be dissolved. Reginard is very filial, he will listen to me."

"But..."

"No buts. That Chloe can only enjoy the sweetness, not endure the bitterness. Such a frivolous,unprincipled person is unfit to enter our Reginard family."

Alrabella hesitated, then said, "Grandmother, should I call a doctor to examine you?"

"No need, I'm old now, riddled with illnesses, doctors are useless. You keep eating, just close the door for me."

"Alright Grandmother, do rest well."

As soon as Alrabella came out, the grandmother sat straight up in bed, suddenly spirited, a stark contrast to her weakness just now.

Alrabella returned to the dining table.

Reginard put down his utensils and looked at her. "How's Grandmother? Does she need to see a doctor?"

Alrabella recounted their conversation, feeling quite uneasy about deceiving the kind old woman.

Reginard heaved a long sigh. "It seems Grandmother is determined to keep us together, but our situation cannot be forced. I will find a way to gently break the news to her."

He reached out and gripped Alrabella's hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you. We will handle this properly."

Alrabella nodded, though uncertainty still weighed on her heart. She wondered if they could truly rekindle the feelings and understanding they once shared.

Lord Reginard passed Alrabella tongs and a roasted lamb leg. "Eat while it's hot, young Alrabella."

"Thank you, Grandfather."

Alrabella put on disposable gloves and slowly gnawed on the meat.

Reginard looked towards his grandfather and asked, "Grandfather, not long ago Grandmother still seemed hale and hearty. How did she become so frail in such a short time?"

The grandfather heaved a heavy sigh. "We're all old now. One second still vigorous, the next second gone, returned to the earth. You two must take care of each other, must not let her be unhappy."

A solemn expression came over Reginard's handsome face.

After the meal, the two returned to the guest room.

As soon as the door closed, Alrabella asked, "What should we do? Are we really going to stay here indefinitely?"

Reginard loosened his tie, frowning. "Seeing Grandmother's condition, she can't take any shocks. Let's stay a few days first and see how things go."

Alrabella glanced back at the room's sole bed. "How will we both sleep in this bed?"

The corners of Reginard's mouth quirked up. "We'll just close our eyes and sleep."

Alrabella said impatiently, "I'm not joking with you, I'm asking seriously."

Reginard unhurriedly took off his watch, casually tossing it onto the bedside table. "You go shower 

first, I'll go after you're done."

"Alright."

Alrabella went into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth, then quickly rinsed off in the shower.

When she came back out, it was Reginard's turn.

Lying in bed, she couldn't fall asleep, mind swirling with thoughts. On the brink of divorce yet sleeping in one bed, what should she do?

Suddenly, Reginard's phone that he'd left on the bedside table rang.

Unwilling to pry into his privacy, Alrabella let it ring.

After two rings it stopped.

Not long after, her own phone rang.

Alrabella glanced at the caller ID display, which showed an unfamiliar number.

Answering the call, a coquettish female voice came through: "Sister Alrabella, is Brother Reginard there?"

"May I ask who's calling?"

The woman hesitated, then said, "I'm his sister."

Thinking it was one of Reginard's cousins, Alrabella replied, "He's showering right now. I'll have him call you back once he's out."

"Thank you."

Just out of the shower, Reginard had only a towel wrapped around his waist, using another to dry his hair.

His broad shoulders and long legs made for a very striking physique.

His abdominal contours were well-defined, exuding vitality and strength. His muscles were beautifully sculpted.

In the orange light, the allure he gave off caused Alrabella's heartbeat to quicken, her ears 

instantly flushing red.

Alrabella turned her head aside, not looking at him, and softly said, "One of your sisters just 

called you, you should call her back."

Reginard lightly hmm'd, going to the bedside table to glance at his phone screen. Then he walked out.