Chapter 714
The two left, not noticing how old Mrs. Horton pursed her lips behind them.
What nonsense, daring to boss around her granddaughter-in-law!
Spitting on them would still be letting them off lightly!
Old Mrs. Horton thought to herself, reaching out to grab a glass of water to rinse her mouth. But as soon as she stretched out her hand, the glass in front of her was moments away from being knocked over.
In the next instant, a pale, delicate hand picked up the cup and handed it to her.
Old Mrs. Horton turned her head and saw Kiera standing beside her.
Old Mrs. Horton immediately put on a confused expression: “Young lady, you’re really pretty. Who might you be p>
“I’m Nora. The medicine you’ve been taking was developed by me. Lewis and I both know you’re fine now, so stop pretending,” Kiera said, exasperated, as she placed the water glass into old Mrs. Horton’s hand.
Old Mrs. Horton smiled bitterly. “You, even if you’ve figured it out, couldn’t you just pretend not to know p>
Kiera took out a tissue and wiped her mouth gently. “Why make things so hard, Grandma? It’s still your final days. Wouldn’t it be nice if we spent them together, happily p>
Old Mrs. Horton let out a sigh. “What do you know? When you get old like me, you can’t even control yourself anymore. In a few days, it’d be all about bedpans and messes—how could I bear to let you and Lewis take care of me like that p>
Kiera’s eyes grew red. “But Lewis and I are willing p>
“I know you’re willing, but your grandmother has been dignified her whole life. I don’t want my last impression in your eyes to be like that. ’No filial child remains at a sickbed for long’—I’m not doubting your devotion or love. I simply want to leave Lewis with a respectable memory to hold on to p>
Old Mrs. Horton chuckled. “Besides, I’ve hardly ever interacted much with the first branch of the family my entire life. Now, at the end of it all, Kiera, take good care of Lewis and help him adjust to the days without me. As for me, I can finally let my true nature be free… and get closer to the first branch p>
Listening to these words, Kiera sighed again and nodded silently. She was just about to grab some tissues and a mop to clean up the food old Mrs. Horton had vomited on the floor when Mrs. Horton turned toward the door and shouted: “Oliver, my eldest grandson, hurry over! Who is this stranger here? Get her out of here p>
Kiera: Grandma, I’m just helping clean you up p>
“No! I don’t want you near me p>
Oliver stepped forward with a smug grin, looking utterly pleased with himself. “Sister-in-law, Grandma only recognizes me and my father these days. There’s nothing else we can do. You’ll just have to accept it and keep your distance from Grandma p>
Kiera frowned and glanced at old Mrs. Horton. “Then what about all the mess on the floor p>
Oliver opened his mouth to reply, but old Mrs. Horton interjected immediately. “My eldest grandson can clean it up p>
Oliver: p>
Oliver was completely stunned, staring in disbelief at the vomit on the floor.
Old Mrs. Horton was getting on in years, her digestive system already frail. She’d barely been eating much recently, and today’s breakfast hadn’t sat well with her stomach. It was clear now that she had deliberately overate so she could throw it up.
The smell of the mess was utterly revolting, making Oliver scrunch his nose. “Me p>
“Yes, my eldest grandson will clean it up!” Old Mrs. Horton appeared to rely heavily on Oliver, turning straight toward Kiera and dismissing her: “You, go away, go away p>
Taking that cue, Oliver quickly added, “That’s right, I’ll clean it! You stay away from Grandma p>
Kiera: p>
She cleared her throat lightly. “Fine, then I’ll leave this burden to you, big brother p>
With that, she handed the rag in her hand to Oliver, turned around, and prepared to go upstairs. But before she’d made it up the stairs, she spotted Lewis standing in the shadowy part of the staircase on the second floor. He had been quietly watching them all, and it was impossible to know how long he’d been standing there.
Kiera quickly approached him. “Did you hear what Grandma was saying just now p>
“Mm, I heard it all.” Lewis gently ran his fingers through her hair. “Grandma is right. She spent her whole life prioritizing me, and barely connected meaningfully with the first branch of the family. Now it really is time she gets a chance to bond with them p>
Kiera held onto his hand tightly. “What Grandma said, I completely understand p>
She lowered her gaze. “If I get old one day and lose the ability to take care of myself, I wouldn’t want to burden my children either. I just hope I could leave gracefully p>
“She loves you most, so of course she wouldn’t want you to face her in such an undignified state p>
Kiera chuckled. “Grandma’s heart still cares for you above all, Lewis. Please don’t let this make you feel sad, okay p>
Lewis stared at her deeply, remaining silent for a long while before speaking: “What did you just say p>
“I said Grandma still cares for you most. Don’t feel sad p>
“The sentence before that p>
“Grandma doesn’t want you to see her in such an undignified state p>
“One sentence earlier p>
Kiera was naturally sharp and had a remarkable memory. Following his prompt, she replayed the moment in her mind and answered him: “I said, if I got old someday, I wouldn’t want to burden my children. Is that the sentence p>
“Mm.” To her surprise, Lewis suddenly stepped forward and leaned close to her ear, whispering in a low, teasing voice, “So, how many kids are you planning on having with me p>
Kiera: p>
Was she actually being flirted with right now p>