08

"My Li, how could I hate you because of her? If course not!” Mya sighed, her eyes softening. "You've been brought up like my own child. But I'm not your mother; I'm only your aunt. Now that she's returned, I ought to—

"She's not my mom! She is not the kind of person I desire! Dad loves you too; you're my mom. Don't abandon me, please."

Eli’s anger increased as he talked more. "Believe me, I'll force Dad to divorce her," he said, putting his palm to his chest. “Then you'll truly be my real mom."

"Don't say things like that, Li. Your mom would likely despise you even more if she finds out, and it will be difficult on your dad."

"I don't care if she likes me or not!"

Mya smiled softly. "Sweetheart, I know you are concerned about me. We'll all go to the amusement park this weekend if you behave yourself.”

"Really?" Eli asked, his voice brimming with excitement as his mood quickly improved.

"Obviously. I've already discussed it with your father."

"Yay! I'll wait for you to come get me this weekend."

"Alright."

Mya hung up and grinned.

*****

Noa was forced to temporarily put the matter on hold after returning from the Streep household empty-handed.

She realized she couldn't take back what was really hers, at least not yet, since Czar and Joshua were defending Myq and there was no proof. She would need to exercise patience.

She then proceeded to the hospital where Elodie had passed away, but when she checked, she discovered that all of Elodie’s medical records had disappeared, including the identification of the attending physician.

Noa was quite depressed after these setbacks.

"Grandma, what should I do?" she asked herself, her eyes welling with sorrow as she held her grandmother's picture.

There was still so much to accomplish, though, that she couldn't afford to give up.

Gia’s doctors were direct: years of inadequate care and rest had caused severe harm to her body. Not even acupuncture had been very helpful.

They suggested regular rehabilitative activities and a diet regimen.

Gia also counseled her to prioritize healing over hurrying.

As Mr. Nash's supposed best student, Mya would soon become well-known throughout the world with the support of Czar.

But how could she protect Mr. Nash's heritage and reclaim what was rightly hers if her body didn't heal in time?

~~

Heidi called her that afternoon after Noa left the hospital and got home. "Noa, darling, join me for dinner this weekend. Please, just the two of us—this elderly woman might use some companionship." Heidi said.

Heidi’s invitation seemed too sincere to turn down. So Noa agreed.

After getting dressed that weekend, Noa made her way.

"Noa, how did you get so thin? Young folks simply lack self-care skills. Monica’s soups are incredibly nourishing, so you should come visit me more frequently." Heidi said.

"I will."

Heidi sighed, realizing Noa was merely being courteous. "My dear, about you and Czar—"

"Grandma."

"Granny!" Czar entered before Noa could say anything, followed closely by Mya.

When Heidi saw Mya, her expression stiffened, but then a tiny creature escaped Mya’s hold and ran in her direction.

"Grandma Grandma! I went to the amusement park with my parents today! They bought me new toys and we enjoyed ice cream.

Heidi scowled a little. "Li, your mom—"

Eli leaped over and took Mya’s hand before she could continue. "I asked Mommy to come, Great-Grandma. Please stop being upset with her.”

Then Eli shoved a bag into Heidi’s arms after taking it from Mya. "Look, Grandma! Mommy purchased this item specifically for you.”

Eli called Mya "Mommy" repeatedly during the conversation, completely ignoring Noa as if she didn't exist, and Czar didn't bother to correct him.

Even though Noa was aware that Eli was under the influence of Mya, it still hurt her to watch her own child act as like she didn't exist.

Heidi threw the bag to the ground. "Mya, get your belongings and leave. The Holland family is having dinner here. You're not welcome here."

Mya “..”

Eli turned around at this and yelled at Noq. "Naughty woman! You are alone to blame! Grandma never forced Mommy to leave before you arrived! But Grandma wants Mommy gone now that you're here! You ought to go! You are not wanted here.”

Noa went cold. Eli gave her a stare as though she were a terrible evil.

Silently, she picked up her coat and stood up. "Sorry for ruining your family dinner."

Heidi snatched her arm. "You stay, child. I didn't tell you to go."

"It's simply odd that I'm here, Grandma. I'll pay you a visit on another day." Noa responded.

"My child..."

Eli stopped her path as Heidi got up to stop Noa. "Let her go, Grandma! In any case, she is not welcome here.”

He looked across at Czar. "Daddy, you ought to get a divorce from her and actually wed Mommy. I wish to avoid seeing her in the future."

"Li! You can't just say things like that.” Mya came in before Czar could respond. "You said you would behave, didn't you? Why do you keep saying this? Right now, apologize to your mother.”

Eli blinked, appearing pained and perplexed as tears began to pour. "Why are you also supporting the evil woman, Mommy? You've been looking after me for the past years, and Daddy adores you. She never reared me, not even for a day. Why is everyone pressuring me to accept her as my mother? She has been cruel to you ever since she arrived, and I don't know her. I refuse to accept her.”

Youngsters may utter careless things, but no child would independently think up such well-considered phrases.

Who had been mentoring him behind the scenes was obvious.

Noa was exhausted and lacked the strength to dispute about this entire situation.

She told Eli, "You don't need to apologize, and you don't have to accept me as your mom. Just keep pressuring your father to sign the divorce papers. Divorce requires two people, not just myself. You can choose anybody you want to be your mother. However, since Grandma requested me to visit, I couldn't refuse.“