I quickly got dressed and headed downstairs. Atlas also woke up and looked at me, but I
gestured to him, saying, “Go back to
sleep.”
I wondered who could be at the door and why they pressed the doorbell so frantically
early in the morning. It made me uneasy,
and I hoped nothing bad had happened.
Unexpectedly, I saw Grace through the peephole and quickly understood what was
happening.
After some thought, I opened the door. Grace hurried in and angrily pushed me aside
when she saw me. I could do nothing
besides shaking my head in resignation.
Once inside, Grace scolded me, “You lied to me! You promised to let me see Ava, but
where is she? She’s my granddaughter
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtand has the Murphys’ blood in her veins. Why won't you let me see her?!”
I gazed at her and realized she had the Murphy family trait of yelling. However, I gave her
space to vent because she was the
most pitiful member of the family but also cared dearly for Ava.
“Tell your daughter to come down, or I'll go upstairs. You're so carefree living in this
luxurious apartment, and it’s all thanks to my
son. It's unfair that you have a place like this to yourself. Why won't you let me see her?!”
I closed the door and returned to the living room to pour her some water. I said calmly,
“Have a seat. Here, drink some water
first.”
“Don't try to fool me. Where's Ava?!” She turned to head upstairs.
Immediately after, I replied, “She’s not home. She went to Celestis Island and won't be
home for a while.”
Grace froze, looking skeptical. “Celestis Island? Why is she there?”
“I don't go back on my word. Since I agreed to let you see Ava, I won't hide her from you.
Stop being a skeptic. I still want to
thank you for caring about Ava, no matter what. I won't stoop to your level. I'll call you
when she returns, and you can visit her
then.”
I was composed as I spoke. Grace impressed me by coming so far so early in the morning.
I wondered how she persuaded the
security to let her in.
“Stop trying to fucking deceive me with your pretenses. You're not a good person either—”
I could no longer stand her shamelessness and cut her off, “ Don't make a scene in my
house! You know how well I treat you! Is this how all the Murphys are? Can't you
communicate without cussing?!” Grace shook her head as if to say something, but I didn't
let her speak. “I respect you because you're Ava’s grandmother. I don’t want my daughter
to have regrets, but I'll never feel sorry for you again if you don’t behave. I'll make sure
you never see her
again.”
I wasn't trying to scare her. However, I felt conflicted because I didn't want Ava to turn out
like the Murphys.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“Whenever you visit her, she gets upset for a week. Then, I have to spend all week
consoling her. Have you ever considered
that? How is it my fault for not letting her get close to you? It’s because you behave so
poorly.”
"—"
“What? None of the Murphys have manners. You all love cursing so much and are full of
negativity. Do you think I would let you
have more contact with Ava? I fear she might end up as uncultured as you.”
My words were harsh and unpleasant, but I had to draw a line because she mistook my
kindness for weakness.
“I sent her to Celestis Island because she’s unhappy. It has nothing to do with whether or
not you visit her. Don’t vent your pent-
up frustrations on me. I'm not your punching bag!
“I feel sorry for you because you're old and unhappy. !'ll revoke your visits if you continue
to cause a scene in my house. Don't
you remember what Ava told you when you last saw her? Do you want me to remind
you?!”