Abby’s POV
When I arrived at the old house, my grandpa Theodore was out in the garden, casually trimming his plants.
“You’re back,” he said, holding a pair of scissors in one hand.
He glanced at me briefly before focusing again on the bush in front of him.
I walked over with a smile.
“Grandpa,” I called sweetly, gently hooking my arm through his.
Just then, my gaze landed on the middle-aged woman sitting not far away.
It was my aunt, Hannah Hayes.
Hannah was dressed neatly in a dark green, fitted qipao, her long hair styled up, makeup flawless like always.
The smile on my face slipped a little, and I gave a cold nod.
“Auntie.”
I had never liked Hannah.
Basically, anytime she was around, the atmosphere turned terrible.
Instead of marrying out, Hannah had brought in a live-in husband—Jonathan Reed—and the couple had lived in the Hayes house ever since.
My grandpa had three kids: My mom, then Aunt Hannah, and Uncle Thomas.
My mother only had one daughter, which is me.
Hannah and Jonathan had only one son, Oscar.
Then Uncle Thomas also had one child, a daughter named Sophia.
Among the grandchildren, grandpa’s partiality toward me had always made everyone else uncomfortable.
Honestly, most people in the Hayes family saw me more as a rival than family.
Ever since I was fifteen, grandpa had taken me to every important function, clearly grooming me to take the reins.
No surprise everyone got jealous.
Hannah glanced at me with a smile. This story is hosted at g.com.
“You’re back, Abby. How’s your engagement drama with the Anderson family going?”
In front of grandpa, no less.
Hannah just went straight in on the broken-off engagement with Nicholas.
There had been a full-on press conference last night—Hannah must’ve watched the entire show live.
Nicholas had been completely blindsided by my sudden reveal.
Now the guy could barely keep it together.
On my side, I’d asked Lia to make sure all the dirt on Nicholas was plastered at the top of the trending searches.
“Auntie, aren’t you always on top of gossip?” I smiled, my lips barely moving.
“We’ve officially called it off. Rest assured, I haven’t embarrassed the family name.”
Hannah’s smile cracked the second I said that.
“Abby, I was only worried about you. Imagine if you’d realized who he really was only after marrying him.”
I kept my tone light.
“Yeah, dodged that bullet.
Still, thanks for the concern, I’m doing great.”
“You sure?” Hannah sighed dramatically.
“I mean, you used to be so set on marrying him.”
Then she gave me a look.
“If you’re really feeling awful, you should take a break, get out for a bit.
No one would blame you.”
I met her “concerned” look head-on and kept smiling.
“Please, it’s just one loser.
No need to be all dramatic, Auntie.”
“Everyone has their blind spots,” she countered, every jab so smooth it was almost effortless, peeling back the layers of fake concern with a smile.
I knew she knew exactly what had happened between me and Nicholas, but she was still here, acting like she cared, just to pour salt in the wound and throw a few digs.
And she thought I wouldn’t catch on?
Please.
I could see she was fuming inside—she hadn’t managed to get under my skin even a little.
Forcing a smile, she said, “Wow, I really didn’t expect Nicholas Anderson to be that kind of guy. Abby, next time you pick a man, you must be careful, okay? Don’t just go for any random loser off the street.”
Just as I was about to snap back, Grandpa set down his gardening shears with a sharp clack.
“That’s enough,” he said coldly.
“You know full well it was that bastard Nicholas who did her wrong, and now you’re here rubbing salt in the wound? That’s how you think a good aunt should act?”
His face was grim as he shot a glare at Hannah. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
Her smile faltered as she tried to defend herself, “Dad, I’m just trying to show I care about Abby. What’s wrong with—”
He cut her off with a low scoff.
“You know exactly what you’re doing.”
Seeing his expression, Hannah clamped her mouth shut.
He didn’t bother hiding his annoyance anymore.
“Didn’t you have a casino game with your little gossip crew? You’re gonna be late.”
Getting the hint loud and clear, Hannah didn’t dare fire back.
She grumbled, got up, and with a dramatic sway of her hips, strode out of the room.
I watched her leave with a smirk, then turned back to Grandpa, who had picked up his shears again and resumed trimming.
“You’re totally playing favorites. I could’ve kept going a few more rounds.”
Grandpa chuckled and gave me a light tap on the forehead.
“You cheeky thing. I know your tongue is sharp, but that’s still your aunt. Try cutting her a little slack.”
That familiar flick on my head made my eyes sting with emotion.
In my last life, I had ignored my grandfather’s advice and insisted on marrying Nicholas.
I’d even sided with Nicholas against him more than once.
By the time I died, the once-close bond between us had all but vanished.
I had no idea what kind of excuse Nicholas gave to Grandpa after my death, but I knew for sure that the heartbreak must’ve hit my grandfather hard.
I never wanted him to suffer that kind of pain again.
I wrapped my arms around him, my voice soft and playful.
“Alright, okay, I’ll do whatever Grandpa says from now on.”
Grandpa could sense my mood shift and gently patted my back.
“Still hurting because of Nicholas?
That bastard dares hurt my girl?
Just wait, I’ll take care of him for you.”
“There’s no need, Grandpa,” I said, pulling back to look at him, my heart starting to pound.
“Because I want you to meet someone today… someone important.”
This is it, finally.
I just hope Grandpa likes him!