Chapter 575
Amanda’s voice was loud and sharp, deliberately intended for Gavin to hear. She was reminding him that before he met her, he was just a penniless nobody. She had given him everything he had today.
Her words made Gavin pause. Perhaps he had been wrong from the very beginning. He never should have gotten involved with Amanda, let alone married her. But they had a daughter together. Could he really go through with a divorce? He didn’t know. Torn with indecision, he stopped just outside the hospital room door.
Hearing her mother, Ann narrowed her eyes. “You’re right, Mom. The only reason Dad has anything today is because of you. If it weren’t for you, he’d still be stuck in some backwater town. And this is how he repays you? By hitting you? You can’t forgive him easily this time p>
The memory of her father defending Caitlin made Ann feel sick with disgust. “Mom, your taste in men back then was truly awful! Of all the wealthy heirs you could have chosen, how did you end up with someone like him p>
If only Amanda had married into a prominent family, her own status would have been elevated. If she had a higher status, no one would dare bully her. She could be like Celia Palmer-a woman at the top of the pyramid, for whom everything she did was right.
Thinking back, Amanda was filled with regret. “I definitely won’t forgive him easily this time! No, he’s not your father! From now on, you can pretend you don’t have one p>
“Okay,” Ann agreed. “Mom, no matter what happens, I’ll always be on your side. Even if you get a divorce, I’ll stick with you.” In any case, she had long been ashamed of her embarrassing father.
Gavin had hoped, foolishly, that his daughter would at least take his side. But now he knew better. He meant nothing to her. He was just a pathetic clown in her eyes.
Taking a ragged breath, his eyes red-rimmed, Gavin walked away from the ward.
At the Gonzales estate, Caitlin had finished a long day. When dinnertime came
and Keira was nowhere to be seen, she grew concerned. She turned to the butler. “Scales, where’s my grandmother p>
“Madam Keira has a headache, Miss. She’s resting in her room,” he replied respectfully.
“A headache?” Caitlin put down her fork. “I’m going to check on her.” At Keira’s age, a headache wasn’t something to be ignored.
The butler followed her. “Miss Caitlin, you’ve been busy all day. You should finish your dinner first p>
“It’s fine, I’m not hungry.” Caitlin walked quickly, asking, “Scales, why didn’t you tell me my grandmother had a headache p>
The butler looked conflicted. “It wasn’t my place, Miss. Madam Keira specifically told me not to bother you with small things, saying you already have too much on your plate p>
“Honestly, Grandma,” Caitlin muttered. “She shouldn’t hide it when she’s not feeling well p>
About ten minutes later, they arrived at Keira’s private courtyard.
“Grandma p>
Entering the bedroom, Caitlin saw Keira lying in bed with a blue cloth pressed to her forehead, her face pale and weak.
“Caitlin, you’re here? Have you eaten p>
“I have, Grandma,” Caitlin lied, sitting by the bed. “Scales told me you have a headache. Are you feeling any better p>
“It’s nothing serious, Caitlin, don’t worry,” Keira said with a sigh. “I’m just so angry p>
She was furious with Ann. No matter what, Ann was her granddaughter, and seeing her become the laughingstock of The Capital was a bitter pill to swallow.
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Caitlin knew what was upsetting her. She gently placed her fingers on Keira’s wrist to check her pulse. Reassured that it wasn’t anything serious, she said, Grandma, you’re not as young as you used to be. You can’t let yourself get so worked up over these things. It’s bad for your head and your liver p>
She turned to the butler. “Scales, I’ll write a prescription for a restorative tonic for Grandma. Please make sure the kitchen prepares it for her twice a day, morning and night p>
“Of course, Miss Caitlin,” he nodded.
Keira looked at her granddaughter
ather
with deep affection. “Caitlin, dear, I’m
so lucky to have you. Otherwise, alt
this stress would have been the end of me. She had been planning to give Ann control of a subsidiary company, but now she saw that Ann was simply not up to the task. She couldn’t see any redeeming qualities in her anymore. That child, she realized with a heavy heart, was a lost cause.
Caitlin squeezed Keira’s hand. “Grandma, your only job right now is to be happy; eat well, and enjoy è yourself. Don’t worry about anything else ad is waiting for you to see. him wake up, remember? While Keira was fine for now, constant agitation could pose a serious health risk.
Keira nodded. “You’re right, Caitlin. I promise, I won’t dwell on things anymore p>
“Have you eaten?” Caitlin asked.
Keira shook her head. “I don’t have an appetite.” Despite her promise, she couldn’t shake the disappointment. She just couldn’t understand how Ann had turned out this way.
“You have to eat,” Caitlin said, turning to the butler. “Scales, please have the kitchen bring Grandma’s dinner here. I’ll eat with her p>
“Right away, Miss Caitlin,” the butler said with a warm smile. This house was so much better with Caitlin in it. She could coax Keira to eat and always managed to lift her spirits.