Our Anniversary, You Chose Her – I Chose Divorce

Upon arriving at Jardinelle, Walker Grant carried Noah into the living room. The butler and staff were standing to one side, while on the sofa, the matriarch and Chloe Reed sat, clearly waiting for them.

Noah was visibly startled by the scene. He reflexively tightened his arms around Walker Grant’s neck and timidly glanced around.

Walker Grant said, ”His name is Noah Grant. He is my nephew. He’ll be living here from now on. You are all to take good care of him.”

He addressed the butler first, clarifying Noah Grant’s identity.

The butler nodded. ”Yes, sir. We will certainly take good care of the Young Master.”

With that, he waved his hand, and the staff dispersed to attend to their duties.

Walker Grant carried Noah over to the sofa, set him down, and said, ”You should call her Great-grandmother.”

Though timid, Noah was still polite. He obediently called out, ”Great-grandmother.”

A kind, gentle smile appeared on the matriarch’s face. She seemed dazed for a few seconds before nodding. ”Good boy. Come here to your great-grandmother.”

Noah walked over, letting the matriarch take his hand.

”Why are you so thin? Haven’t you been eating properly? What would you like for lunch? I’ll have someone make it for you. I promise it will be all your favorites.” The matriarch’s heart had softened the moment she saw the child.

Noah Grant was very handsome, with eyes and brows that bore a resemblance to Walker Grant’s, as the two Grant brothers looked very much alike.

But right now, he was small and thin, his little face pale, the very picture of malnourishment.

This was entirely the result of being tormented by poison; how could Walker Grant possibly have neglected him?

Noah said, ”Great-grandmother, you’re so nice. I like you.”

A child’s affection is expressed so directly. He wasn’t lying; he truly liked the old woman.

She gave off a gentle, warm feeling that made him want to draw near.

The matriarch paused for a few seconds, then broke into a smile. ”I like you, too. We’re a family now. Let’s get along well and become friends.”

She shook Noah’s hand.

Noah smiled. It was the first time he had smiled in a very long time.

Chloe Reed watched this scene, a complex light flickering in her limpid eyes.

”Auntie.”

Noah looked at her, calling out timidly.

”Mm,” Chloe Reed nodded lightly, then said, ”Your drawing is very good. I like it a lot.”

Hearing this, Noah’s eyes instantly lit up. He couldn’t believe it. ’Auntie actually said she liked my drawing?’

’Does this mean she doesn’t dislike me anymore?’

The change in the boy’s expression was obvious. Chloe Reed cleared her throat and said, ”I’ll go to the kitchen to see how lunch is coming along.”

She then stood up and walked directly to the kitchen.

Walker Grant chuckled softly, then said to Noah, ”Your auntie got you an easel and a drawing board. You can draw whenever you want now.”

Noah nodded emphatically. ”Mhm!”

From his initial tension and shyness to his current relaxed state, Noah was adapting quickly. The attitudes of the matriarch and Chloe Reed had helped him feel less timid and afraid.

Walker Grant went to the kitchen and found Chloe Reed staring into space.

He walked over and asked, ”What are you thinking about?”

Chloe Reed snapped back to reality. She glanced at him and asked, ”Did the doctor give a diagnosis?”

”Yes.”

At the mention of it, an icy chill surfaced in Walker Grant’s eyes. ”The nerves in Noah’s lower limbs have been destroyed. He won’t be able to walk again.”

Upon hearing this, Chloe Reed’s eyes widened in shock. She clapped a hand over her mouth to keep from crying out.

”How could this happen...”