Chapter 22 Swear a Solemn Oath
Everyone was shocked at the fact that I hadn’t come back to the Brook’s old mansion. Just then, Alena suddenly burst into tears.
“Grandma, you’ve never liked me since the day I came back. You think I stole Savannah’s thunder, and whatever I do, you think I’m up to
something. I’m sorry. I should never have come back. It’s all my fault. I’m the family’s sinner. I’m so sorry…”
When saying this, she lunged toward the wall.
“Ally!”
Luigi, who had just come in, quickly stood in front of the wall, and she ended up bumping into his embrace.
The whole family gathered around her and looked at her worriedly. “Ally, are you OK? Why would you do that?” my dad asked.
“Dad, I hate to see Grandma get upset because of me, and I don’t wanna see Savannah and Kaleb argue after she comes back. If I’d known my return would tear this family apart, I would’ve never come back…”
Her already delicate look seemed even more pitiful when she cried.
No one cared about my missing anymore. They turned to look at Grandma with blaming looks, and even my dad, who was usually the silent type, spoke up.
“Mom, both Ally and Savannah are your granddaughters. How could you favor Savannah to this extent? Savannah is the one who’s willful enough to make us worry about her. Instead of blaming her, you wanna punish
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Ally? This is so unacceptable.”
Grandma was furious to be scolded by her own son. She pointed at him. with a trembling finger. “Are you stupid or what? Alena…”
Alena stepped forward and grabbed my dad’s sleeve. “Dad, don’t say that. It’s my fault. If you and Grandma have a fallout because of me, I’ll be so guilty. Grandma, blame me if you want, but don’t take it out on Dad.”
Pissed off by the phony, Grandma finally knew how I felt.
Alena casily turned my family against me.
Her acting skills were so superb that she managed to ruin me within just a few years.
“Shut up!” Grandma said to her sternly.
“Grandma, it’s your birthday today. Don’t be mad, OK? It won’t be good for your health.”
“Evelyn, don’t hold it against Ally.”
“Irene, take care of my mom. Take her to the banquet later.”
The group of people left with Alena in the middle. Utterly enraged, Grandma was about to get out of bed to pick up her cane and throw it at them. “Get out! All of you!”
“Madam Brook, calm down.”
Irene Duncan had been taking care of Grandma for decades. With distress in her eyes, she helped Grandma back to bed and then brought Grandma a
cup of tea.
I looked at Grandma, reluctant to leave. Her hair was all gray, and there
were tears on her wrinkled face. Grabbing Irene’s hand, she said, “Go see if Vannah is back.”
“Alright. Stay in bed, OK, Madam Brook? If Ms. Savannah sees you like this, she’ll be heartbroken.”
“OK. I won’t be crying anymore. She’s been suffering from depression; I shouldn’t let her see me like this.”
Grandma quickly wiped the tears off her face. I wanted to stay by her side even though there was nothing I could do.
But Kaleb had the bracelet on his wrist, and I couldn’t stay too far away from him. I could only watch myself get further and further away from her helplessly.
I had thought the hope in my heart was already shattered by my family and husband.
But now, I realized there was still one person that I cared about.
Following Kaleb, I muttered, “Grandma, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry…”
It dreaded me to think how sad she’d be after she learned about my death. She was so sickly, could she even take it?
My family left after comforting Alena for a while, leaving her and Kaleb
alone.
Kaleb was so concerned about her that he had completely forgotten about
- me.
“Ally, Madam Brook is getting old and confused. Don’t take her words to
heart.”
“I know, Kaleb. It’s just… since she hates me so much, I don’t think she’ll
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accept my gift.”
She took out the scripture. “Kaleb, would you give this to her for me? No matter what. I just want her to live long and prosper.”
“You’re so kind, Ally. I’m sure she’ll come around and know how great you are. Give it to me theh.”
Kaleb took the scripture. He was a bit scared of it, but when he took it, he subconsciously stroked the cover.
The cover was very smooth–almost like a woman’s skin. Such a thought flashed across his mind.
He quickly shook his head to get rid of it, getting goosebumps all over.
“By the way, don’t tell Grandma it’s from me, OK, Kaleb? She hates me so much. And don’t tell her it’s made from human skin. I’m worried it’ll be too much for her to take,” Alena added.
“I understand,” he responded.
Stroking her head, he continued, “Don’t do such stupid things again, OK? We’re so worried about you.”
“You’re the best, Kaleb.”
Their affectionate gazes made me sick..
After seeing her off, Kaleb came back to Grandma’s room with their gifts. By this time, Grandma had just calmed down after drinking the tea.
Hearing footsteps, she instinctively said, “Vannah? Is that you? Come
here…”
Her gaze turned icy as she saw Kaleb. “You? Why are you back here?”
Knowing she was still mad at him, Kaleb took a stool and sat by the bed.
He said humbly, “Madam Brook, I know you’re mad at me for leaving Vannah at the wedding. We’ve been together for years, and she’s the only woman I love. Ally is like a sister to me. I swear that from now on, I’ll be good to Vannah. I’ll never hurt her again.”
Squinting. Grandma said sternly, “Oh, really? You swear? Then do you dare to swear a solemn oath? If you dare to betray Vannah, you’ll die. horrifyingly without any children to bury you!”
Kaleb hesitated upon hearing her words. Though he had made up his mind to make a clean break with Alena, that night….
Noticing his silence, Grandma said, “What is it? You’re too afraid to say this, right? Then spare me the act. I won’t fall for it!”
Being provoked, he immediately said, “Madam Brook, I mean what I said. I have a clear conscience.”
With that, he raised his hand, spread his fingers, and had his palm facing Grandma.
Looking into her eyes, he somehow felt a bit uneasy.
“Go ahead. Or are you too afraid to do so?” Grandma said.
He then swore. “I, Kaleb Harrington, will only love Savannah Brook my entire life. I’ll never betray her, and I’ll protect her, dote on her, and be there for her till the end of my life. If I break my oath, I’ll die horrifyingly without… any children to bury me.”
In the next second, a bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating
his face.
The sound that followed was deafening.
