Chapter 9: Granting The Promised Wish
Liliana anticipated Nadia's arrival. She hadn't seen her friend since last month. Nadia was busy going from one place to the next to get good inspiration and materials for her webtoon.
But, before she came, another guest surprised Liliana with her appearance. She almost couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the familiar figure standing at the doorframe.
"Grandma!"
"Lili! My dear child!"
An elderly woman strode toward Liliana who was sitting on the bed. Her skinny bones didn't hinder her from walking fast to get to the young woman. Her anxious expression was crystal clear.
Liliana slid out of the bed, also rushing to the old woman. Another elderly lady followed from behind.
"Why do you run? Just stay on the bed!" nagged the first old lady once she got to hold Liliana.
"I'm fine... Grandma, you're here."
The familiar touch stung Liliana's nose. A layer of tears glazed over her eyes. Her hands tremblingly touched the old lady's shoulders.
The first elderly woman was Old Madam Shen, Asher's grandmother who doted on her. Her name was Sophia, hailing from the prestigious Qin family from the south of the country.
Liliana didn't expect to see Old Madam Shen so soon. The last time they spoke on the phone was on the second day she was hospitalized.
At that time, Liliana forced herself not to sound too weak. She didn't want to arise any suspicions and thus worry the caring grandma.
"Silly, child! Why did you hide it from me?" Old Madam Shen cried out in frustration.
Before the two of them burst into tears, the second elderly woman gently reminded them of something.
"Old Madam and Young Madam, why don't you have a seat before continuing to talk?"
The words stunned both Liliana and Old Madam Shen. Glancing at the old lady in a navy blue winter coat, they smiled sheepishly.
This old lady was Madam Ma whose real name was Samantha Qin. She was a distant relative of Old Madam Shen. After following her to the capital, Madam Ma married into the Ma family.
Even though the two ladies were almost close in age, Madam Ma came from a generation below Old Madam Shen. Liliana addressed her as Aunt Ma.
Despite her old age, Madam Ma continued to be by Old Madam Shen's side. Especially after the death of her husband a decade ago.
Liliana and Old Madam Shen moved to the couch. Nancy was not inside the ward. She needed to run some errands at the nearby business district.
Old Madam Shen didn't let go of Liliana's hands. Her eyes reddened seeing how pale the young lady was. The dispirited look in Liliana's gaze also disheartened the old grandmother.
"You really... why did you not tell me? I even scolded everyone for hiding it from me!"
"Grandma, I'm sorry," Liliana forced herself to smile, tears began to rim in her eyes, "I don't want to make you worry. Weren't you abroad to visit your sick friend? I know you'd come running back if I told you."
While the two ladies were on verge of tears, Madam Ma was still calm. She went to prepare a pot of tea from what she found in the small pantry of the private ward.
The earthy scent of the tea wafted in the air once she poured the clear reddish liquid into the teacups.
"Young Madam is a good granddaughter. She certainly didn't want to worry you, Old Madam," spoke Madam Ma, siding with Liliana.
Old Madam Shen scoffed. The fury that she tried hard to control almost explode.
"Even if you don't want me to worry... I'm still mad at Asher and everyone! I heard everything! No one paid you a visit. Not even from the Xins! They didn't send anyone to take care of you too!"
Liliana clamped her mouth shut, just listening to Old Madam Shen berating her husband and the rest of the Shen and Xin families.
If this was before, Liliana would calm Old Madam Shen and say anything to defend Asher and the others. But, right now, she didn't want to do it.
Why did she have to do that when they never thought of her well-being? Hadn't she played herself for a fool enough?
"Grandma," Liliana gently squeezed Old Madam Shen's hands, feeling calloused formed on the elderly's limbs.
"...you just got pregnant! The first trimester is too delicate for us women. Even Asher! He's still busy with work at this time? I heard he only came to visit you last night."
"Grandma, it has happened."
Old Madam Shen lost the energy to vent out. Shaking her head in helplessness, there was a flicker of shame in her old eyes.
All this time, Old Madam Shen knew how distant her treasured grandson was from his own wife. No matter how many times she nagged at him or gave advice, Asher remained as stoic as an unmoving mountain.
Only Madam Ma, her close confidant understood how much Old Madam Shen was worrying about the husband and wife's situation.
"If only... my grandson treats you better, Lili."
Liliana swallowed the bitterness that formed a lump in her throat. The deep sorrow that marred her heart was reflected in her eyes.
Until now, only Old Madam Shen earnestly cared for her even though Liliana couldn't tell what made her treasure her lowly being so much. The elderly's sincere concern made Liliana feel both sad and grateful at the same time.
"Young Madam, please take care of your mind and body."
Madam Ma's voice was hoarse. She was also affected by what Liliana had to go through right now.
Like Old Madam Shen, she also cared for Liliana.
Even though the people of high society objected to Asher and Liliana's union, Madam Ma believed in Old Madam Shen's vision. There was something about the young lady that attracted their elderly eyes.
With the passing of time, their fondness for Liliana continued to grow. They also kept encouraging her to thaw Asher's frosty-cold heart.
But, from the look of it... the relationship between the husband and wife suffered a tremendous blow.
Liliana bit her lower lip. She was quietly thinking if she should take this chance to get what her heart yearned for now.
The bud had long remained dormant within her. It only sprouted after the loss of her child.
Without looking at Old Madam Shen, Liliana's shaky voice echoed in the small distance between them.
"Grandma... do you remember what you told me before? On my wedding day? You said I can have a wish fulfilled by you... without fail."
Old Madam Shen recalled her memory, "Yes, I remember that."
It was a promise made by Old Madam Shen because she believed Liliana had to put up with her request to marry Asher. The promise was chanted in front of Madam Ma who acted as the witness.
"I want to make use of that wish now."
Liliana slowly lifted up her face, colliding her gaze onto Old Madam Shen's.
The firm look in her eyes stunned both Old Madam Shen and Madam Ma. Suddenly, they had a bad feeling about this.
"Lili... what do you wish for?"
Old Madam Shen felt her heart start beating erratically.
She had seen most of the world in more than seven decades of her life. Right now, she could guess that whatever Liliana wished for from her would bring a drastic change for all of them.
A drop of tear slid down Liliana's face but, her gaze was steady.
"I want to divorce Asher."
It was time for her to get rid of him from her heart and life.
Chapter 10: He Was Often Overlooked, Treated Like Air
||Lucas||
The next day at MoodSpresso.
Lucas didn't have any delivery to do right now. He helped to clean the backyard of the cafe. The clock showed a quarter to seven in the evening, fifteen minutes before his shift ended.
The snow was not thick but, Lucas decided to clean the yard as soon as possible. With a black winter jacket covering his body together with a pair of gloves, he shoveled the snow on the ground.
Lucas silently channeled his frustration with every movement of him pushing the shovel in and out of the snow. Gritting his teeth hard, his entire face flushed red with beads of sweat formed on his temple and forehead.
As how his mother ordered, Lucas returned to his parents' house after work last yesterday evening. He was actually reluctant but, he didn't have the heart and energy when his mother kept calling him while crying, saying he no longer had the family in his mind.
"Are you that snobbish now? Just because I always ask for your help, you hate to come home? The place where you grew up?"
In the end, Lucas dragged himself to go back to the house.
The Liu family home was a two-story house with a decent yard. The property was inherited by Lucas' father, Richard Liu from an old relative that didn't have any family members.
They had been living there more than two decades ago when Lucas was still a toddler.
Standing straight on the snowy ground, Lucas's gaze slowly lost its focus. His mind reminded him of the unpleasant time he had at the house last night.
******
<.Last night, Liu family home.>
After exchanging two buses, Lucas finally arrived at the neighborhood. He walked slowly on the icy road.
Lucas glanced at his smartphone, looking out for Daphne's text but, none came. She just left him on read when he mentioned going back to his parents' place for dinner.
"...maybe she's busy."
Lucas comforted himself with the assumptions. He also tried hard to forget their fight before.
This morning, Lucas got Daphne's favorite breakfast set from a nearby stall. The seafood congee and chicken barbecue bun sold by the stall had always been her choice, especially during winter.
But...
"Haven't you learned anything? I don't need you to feed me."
Daphne left the apartment before Lucas could even say anything in reply. Her tall and slender figure disappeared behind the door which she slammed shut.
Lucas was speechless with the whole thing. He was too astounded to even give the smallest reaction.
The cold treatment by Daphne horrified Lucas. He tried to talk about it, to know if he really did something wrong to her but, it was to avail.
No... The answer was right in front of his nose. He just didn't want to admit to it.
Daphne began to dislike him for how useless and incompetent he was. After all, he was nothing like how most of their friends were; had good careers and brighter future paths.
Lucas threw the problem to the back of his head. He should ready himself to face his mother and younger brother soon.
"I'm home."
Faint footsteps echoed in the hallways before a middle-aged woman wearing an apron appeared in front of Lucas. Her shoulder-length black hair was tied up.
She was Linda Gu, Lucas' mother.
"Lucas! How come you've just arrived? Kevin and Amanda have been here since..."
Lucas quickly cut through Linda's nagging.
"Mother, I just got off work."
"Still, you should know not to make people wait for you," Linda didn't stop even though she saw how exhausted her son's expression was.
Lucas chose not to answer his mother. After putting the shoes away, he hung the winter coat before walking down the hallway.
In the living room, a young man and a young woman were sitting on the couch. It was Lucas' brother and his college girlfriend. Both of them looked up at him from their smartphones.
"Big Brother! You're here!" Kevin waved at Lucas, appearing so carefree, "Go and wash your face. It must have been so freezing outside."
"Hello, Elder Brother," Amanda bowed at the older man. Her chocolate brown-dyed curly hair framed her small face, highlighting her delicate beauty.
"Hello."
Lucas just cordially greeted them before rushing to the washroom nearby the kitchen. He just planned to have dinner and hand the money to his mother.
Even though Daphne was still mad at him, it was better to be at the small apartment than this spacious house.
"Kevin, Amanda! Come now! Dinner's ready!"
Linda's shouted from the dining room. The two youngsters hurried there while Lucas silently walked out of the washroom. He washed his hands once again before joining the others.
When Lucas' eyes fell on the array of dishes served, he could only smile bitterly.
All of them were Kevin's favorite dishes. His mother didn't cook even one of his even though she said she would do it.
'Stupid, Lucas. Why do you've to be sad over such a thing?'
Lucas kept telling himself that. With his age now, it was a shameful matter to be upset with his mother about.
After all, Kevin was always busy studying. Being in the computer and technology field meant that his path was a turbulent one. No wonder their mother paid more attention to him.
Only the four of them were seated at the rectangle dining table. Linda's husband and the young men's father; Richard was always busy at his workplace.
As someone who occupied the assistant director position of the Planning Department, he often went on business trips or meet potential clients or collaborators.
"Isn't your trip should be in July? Why does the uni bring it forward?"
"We don't really know. But, heard it's because the head dean wanna adhere to the alumni's schedule."
"Oh? Why?"
"Something like they are coming to give a talk. The dean of business faculty is their mentor I think. So, they are willing to spend some of his precious time with us."
"Wow! Kevin, isn't that good? Shouldn't you..."
From the start to finish, the conversation at the dining table was dominated by Linda and Kevin. Occasionally, Amanda would chime in. Only Lucas remained silent while swallowing the food.
Past experiences had taught Lucas a lot. No matter how much his effort was, his mother often overlooked him and only paid attention to Kevin.
After finishing his dinner, Lucas quietly brought his dishes to the kitchen to be washed. No one spared a glance at him.
Seeing that there was no point in him staying any longer, Lucas brought up the money envelope from the inside of his jacket pocket. He put it inside a cabinet in the living room.
Linda preferred to get cash instead of the money wired to her bank account.
"Mother, I'll leave first."
Linda and Kevin were still carried away by their conversations before they realized what Lucas was saying.
"Already? Isn't it still early?" Linda looked at the wall clock. The needles were pointing to eight-thirty.
"I have work in the morning," answered Lucas with a faint smile. He already wore his winter coat, "Mother, what you need is in the living room cabinet. I'll go now. See you again."
"Wait! Lucas!"
"Big Brother!"
Lucas gave them a light bow before he quickly turned around to leave. His mother's and brother's shout grew more distant.
Ignoring everything, he ran out into the wintry darkness.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
10 Power
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