bChapter /bb76 /b

Ste sighed inwardly, ‘I should have seen iting. But it all happested so fast. And I didn’t expect that he’d nned everything like he always knew we’d marry.‘ She dismissed the thought.

The confident Ste of years past might have believed it, but now? She was simply grateful he’d embraced their charade. “Thank you, Mr. Erwin,” she murmured.

A flicker of amusement lit Jordan’s eyes. “We are married, Ste. Do you want your family hearing Mr. Erwin‘ from your lips?” Jordan, she corrected, warmth rising in her cheeks at the unexpected intimacy.

A faint, genuine smile touched Jordan’s lips. “Just focus on healing here,” he said gently. “Work can wait. Don’t worry about anything else. Feel free to hang out or stay at home.”

Ste nodded, a quiet sense of relief settling over her.

Lying in the unfamiliar bed that night, Ste tried to name the strange sensation. This new ce somehow felt safer than home ever had. Here, she didn’t even feel the need to lock the door. A profound, almost illogical trust in Jordan filled her.

Years of online connection couldn’t exin this tangible security. Yet, it was there. That night, Ste sank into the deepest, most peaceful sleep she’d known in three years–deeper even than in Eleanor’s protective embraceb. /b

Early the next morning, when Ste woke up, a maid informed her that Jordan had left for work and the doctor would arrive soon.

After a light breakfast–her appetite still frail, worse even than in the town–she prepared for the appointment, knowing her body needed time to readjust to stability,

The doctor examined Ste and said, “Mrs. Erwin, in all my years of practice, seeing your condition firsthand has truly shocked

me.”

“Will I recover?” Her voice barely carried.

“A full recovery isn’t possible, but you’ll bsee /bsignificant improvement. At least during seasonal changes, you won’t suffer as much as you do now,” answered the doctor.

“Thank you,” Ste said bgratefully/b.

“Don’t mention it. I’ll do everything in my power to help youb./b”

Ste nodded gratefully.

Acupuncture brought deep aches rather than sharp pain. Thankfully, it was bearable for her.

After the session, the doctor advised her, “Try to get out and get some fresh air. Don’t stay cooped up at home all the time. Sunlight and movement heal what medicine can’t.”

Ste called Eleanor, asking to meet up, and Eleanor readily agreed. They met at a coffee shop.

The moment Eleanor saw Ste, she beamed and said warmly, “My dear granddaughter looks even more radiant than I remember.”

Ste chuckled, “Grandma, it’s only been half a day since west saw each other. How could I possibly bhave /bgotten prettier in bsuch /b

short timeb?/b”

“Of course you have. You’re glowing with love–just what young people should be doing. I can tell Jordan, though a bit reserved, treats you exceptionally well.”

Eleanor said warmly, “Yesterday was Jordan’s first time at our house, but he didn’t hesitate for a second to defend you and let you teach Max a lesson.”

At Max’s name, Eleanor’s warmth vanished, “If he weren’t my grandson, I would’ve turned him in to the police long ago.”

“Grandma, you know what? If I didn’t look exactly like Anna, I’d seriously doubt whether I’m really part of this family. How can Mom and Dad treat Anna and Max with so much love, yet treat me like this?”

Ste said bitterness, “They couldn’t care less whether I lived or died–handing me over to kidnappers, using up my money, not even bothering to look for me. And after I came back, they just kept exploiting me. What did I ever do to deserve this?”

Eleanor sighed deeply. “I’ve truly never seen parents like them. I’ve told Andrew countless times, but he just won’t listen.” Eleanor sighed, “Fiona poisoned Anna against you,” Eleanor revealed.

“If your mom hadn’t kept telling you that Anna’s poor health was because you took too much nutrition from her in the womb, Anna wouldn’t have grown to resent you so deeply–and none of this would have happened.”

Ste stared at Eleanor in shock. “Grandma, wh-what do you mean?”

“I’m gathering evidence,” Eleanor whispered, leaning close. “When I prove Anna orchestrated the whole thing, justice wille- regardless of your parents” objections.”

Ste had doubted Eleanor’s resolve–after all, Anna was Eleanor’s granddaughter–how could a grandmother condemn her own

bloodb? /b

Now, seeing steel in Eleanor’s eyes, “Ste was deeply moved. She looked at Eleanor, her voice trembling with uncertainty. “Grandma, do you really believe me?”

Eleanor’s hand covered Ste’s, giving it a gentle, reassuring pat. “Sweetheart, you’ve suffered so much,” Eleanor said gently but firmly.

“If it truly was just an ident, I’ll just let go. But if it wasn’t, I’ll do everything in my power to clear your name and make things right for you.”

H

Ste hesitated, then asked, “But… Grandma, if Anna really did this, will you be in danger?”

Eleanor smiled gently and said, “Don’t worry about me. I won’t be around much longer anyway. If I can spend whatever time I have Left making things right for you, it’ll be worth it.”

Ste tightened her grip on Eleanor’s hand, her voice trembling with worry. “Grandma, you must be extra careful. If Anna really did that and finds out you’re investigating, she’ll definitelye after you. I just want you to be safe–please don’t take any risks.”

Eleanor gave Ste’s hand a gentle squeeze and said softly, “Don’t worry.” Eleanor shifted topics smoothly, “How are you settling into your new home?”

Ste smiled and replied, “It’s really nice”

Eleanor was pleased to hear that. They she exined that she had bsnuck /bout while the family was away, so she couldn’t stay long and needed to head back soon. But just as they bwere /babout to bleave/b, Andrew, Fiona, and Anna suddenly showed up.

“Mom!“Andrew called out.

19:3

Eleanor instantly saw through their n. She confronted them sharply, “You did this deliberately, didn’t you? You knew Ste would want to meet me today, so you used me as bait to trap her.”

Andrew looked helpless and said, “Mom, don’t put it that way. Can’t we just want to see our own daughter

“Daughter?” You treat Anna as your precious daughter and Max as your golden son–but have you ever, even for a single day treated Ste as your own flesh and blood?

Frona insisted urgently, “Of course she’s our own flesh and blood.”

“Exploited her, you mean,” Eleanor scoffed bitterly. “Let’s not even mention before she came home–ever since her return, you’ve kept promising to make it up to her, but all you’ve done is relentlessly exploit her for everything she’s worth

“This time, Ste solved it herself–but what if she hadn’t? Were you really nning to force her into marrying Troy?”

Andrew tried to exin, “We’ve already talked everything over with Troy. He’s deeply in love with Ste. He said his past actions were just his awkward way of showing affection, since he didn’t know how to approach her property

He admitted he was wrong and promised that if Ste marries him, he’ll treat her well