I had promised him, if I ever got pregnant, I would definitely keep the baby.
"I'm okay, I'll protect this baby, won't let anything happen to her again. Plus, I just had a dream, the baby in my belly, it's a girl, a very cute girl." Seeingsmile, Gregory mirrored the gesture.
But I knew, neither of us was happy.
There wasn't a way to be, only to try and ease our minds.
Especially me.
"Could you helpclean up? I feel awful." Gregory nodded, standing up to heat swater.
Dr. Andrews and Dailey left the room.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtChristine approached, eyes red, "I'm sorry, Jane." I took her hand, "Why apologize to me? It's not your fault, you were only trying to protect me." After Gregory helpedclean up, I felt sleepy again.
Soon, I drifted off.
Once I had regained senergy, it was tto eat.
Gregory handeda fork, his gaze not leaving my face.
I pushed sfood towards him, "You need to eat too. My health is important, but so is yours." Gregory pressed his lips together, a silent acknowledgment.
At nine in the evening, the boat docked, and under Gregory's arrangements, we headed straight for the hospital.
Standing in front of the morgue, my steps faltered.
On the boat, I was anxious, almost wishing to fly back.
But facing the moment, I hesitated.
I thought, if I don't see my grandmother's body, does it mean she's not really gone? Yet, I was painfully aware of the impossibility.
Gregory placed a hand on my shoulder, leaning in to whisper, "Let's cback tomorrow, you need to rest for a night." I shook my head, pushing the door open.
Gregory stayed by my side, with Christine and others waiting outside.
Approaching the cold storage, Gregory didn't move. I asked, "Which one is it?" Squeezing my hand, Gregory said, y "Jane, I know losing your grandmother is a huge blow. Ifat's too much, you can tell me, don't force yourself." I tried to sound casual, "I'm really okay, I've accepted it." "I know, even death won't bring her. back. And I understand, she would wantto be upset. She cto a dream." The sorrow in Gregory's eyes was deep.
But pretending everything was okay wasn't convincing.
Yet he knew, facing a grandmother's death, how could one be truly fine? After a moment's hesitation, he opened the cold storage.
As I reached to pull the zipper, Gregory stopped me.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHe gently pulled it down, revealing my grandmother's face, pale and cold.
Those eyes that always looked atwith love were tightly shut, never to open again.
But for sreason, I couldn't shed a tear.
I traced my grandmother's brows and tidied her hair, telling Gregory, "I want to organize a proper funeral for her." Gregory instructed Lucius to make arrangements, but Lucius was too overwhelmed and had to step away. Dailey took over the task. Christine hesitated but followed him.
Gregory and I were preparing to take my grandmother to the crematarium when someone called out at the door. "Jane, you're back?" It was my mom.
The image I had of her, beautiful, elegant, and always smiling, like a living painting.
Every moment with her was art.
But today.
Her complexion was pale, wearing hospital clothes that fit well enough, and a as she reached out to me, I saw the scars on her forearm. X