Chapter 8
I checked into a hotel. In just a week, I’d be able to leave this place forever.
In the evening, Jesse’s grandmother, Gabi Livingston, called me.
Jesse’s grandmother was the kindest person to me in all of New York–the only one I truly felt attached to.
“Sienna, why haven’t you come to visit me lately?
“The weather’s getting colder, make sure to wear warm clothes.”
I choked up. This cold city probably held only this tiny bit of genuine warmth for me.
“Gabi, I’m sorry, I’ve been too busy lately.
“Even if I don’t come by, please take good care of yourself.”
I heard the elderly woman cough heavily over there.
“Sienna, please come see me this afternoon.”
I couldn’t refuse her request, so I agreed.
Gabi lived in an old house on the outskirts, with ten servants taking care of the place. The nanny, Lydia Moore, was already waiting for me at the door.
Lydia told me that Gabi’s condition had worsened recently, and she had started forgetting things, but she kept asking to see me every day.
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The elderly woman on the bed had her eyes half–closed, her gaze dazed. I gently called, “Gabi.”
She turned her head, staring at me for a while before her eyes slowly became clearer.
“Sienna, why did it take you so long to visit me?
“Do you not love me anymore?”
I half–knelt by the bed, taking the elderly woman’s hand. “How could that be? I love you the most.”
She smiled. “Jesse is quite a bad boy, but he’s lucky to have found a girlfriend like you.
“Beautiful, well–educated, and sensible. I’m afraid I won’t get to see you two marry.”
“Gabi…
Before I could say anything, Jesse suddenly pushed the door open and came in.
He had heard everything. Eyes red, he quickly walked over and half–knelt beside me at his grandma’s bedside.
My hand was resting on hers, and Jesse placed his hand over mine.
“Grandma, don’t say that.
“You’ll be healthy and see me and Sienna get married.
“You still have to name your great–grandchild!”
Gabi smiled contentedly, and I couldn’t bring myself to tell her that Jesse
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Chapter S
and I had already broken up.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside, and then Winnie stormed into the room like a fury.
Her face was twisted with rage, and when she saw Jesse’s hand over mine, her eyes widened in fury.
“Well, well, I bet Gabi doesn’t know yet–I’m your grandson’s wife. Jesse and I are married. You didn’t know that, did you?”
‘Jesse, you think you can just divorce me after you’ve had your fun? I’m telling you–no way!”
Jesse’s expression darkened. He stood up and slapped Winnie.
“Madwoman. Do you really think our little game meant something?
“That marriage certificate means nothing. Sienna is my only wife.”
years,
Winnie stared at Jesse in disbelief. She had been a mistress for waiting for the day she could finally be with him openly. She never imagined he’d say something like that.
Losing control, she took a medical report from her bag and shoved it into Gabi’s hands.
“Gabi, you have to stand up for me!
“I’m pregnant with your grandson’s child. You can’t just throw me aside!”
Jesse snatched the paper like a lunatic. Gabi was furious, gasping for breath and clutching her chest as pain overtook her.
Her lips turned deathly pale. I quickly called an ambulance, and the house staff rushed in, trying to drag Winnie out of the room.
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Chapter 8
But it was too late.
The old woman died just as they got her into the ambulance.
Gabi was gone. All because of Jesse and Winnie.
After that, Jesse’s parents locked him in the house, and Winnie seemed to vanish off the face of the earth.
Many years later, I saw her again–in a news report about human trafficking in northern Myanmar.
Her hands and feet were broken, and she had gone completely mad.
After attending Gabi’s funeral, I headed straight to the airport.
Just before boarding, I thought I saw Nathan.
He was standing quietly by the terminal’s floor–to–ceiling window, looking at me.
I boarded the plane, knowing that, like a bird, I was finally flying toward the mountains that belonged to me.
