David did not know how to react to whatever revelation his grandmother made.
Three years ago, he was coming from a business party with Sandra.
He was drunk so Sandra chose to drive them home.
It started raining and that’s when Sandra decided to drive faster to get them home sooner.
Who would have thought that the next time she went home was in a casket?
Her car had lost control after the brakes failed and that’s how they slammed into a tricycle.
When he woke up, it was a month later and his wife was already dead and buried.
His grandmother also informed him that she took care of everything and that he should concentrate on getting better and taking care of his daughter.
He never bothered to inquire more about the accident because all it did was remind him about the painful memories he wanted to forget.
Not a day had it passed without him blaming himself for his wife’s death
If he didn’t drink and get tipsy in that damn party, his wife would still be alive and Lily would have her mother.
He was finally happy that he got someone to love but hearing that he might also be responsible for her parent’s death, he didn’t Know how to feel or act.
” Why did you not tell me?” After finding his voice, he asked.
If he knew about Sheila’s parents’, he would have done everything to look after her.
From the situation he found her, he could tell that she struggled to make do over the past three years.
She was even on the verge of getting kicked to the streets had it not been because of him.
He did not want to imagine how hard things must have been for her.
Thinking that he was the cause of her pain, his heart constricted painfully.
” And then what? Keep blaming yourself for something you didn’t have control over?” The old lady’s raised voice only angered David even more.
” It is all my fault that the accident happened. Now, thanks to me, Sheila has had a hard life. If I knew, at least I could have done something about her future. Did you see where she was living? Do you know that she made Lily the last packet of noodles she had not knowing what she would eat herself? Grandma, because of me, she has suffered a lot. Now I don’t know how to face her anymore.” David said painfully. You could feel the raw pain chewing his every word.
” How’s that possible? I deposited a huge sum of money into her parents account after their burial. I made sure she had enough to support her for years.” The old lady murmured, unable to believe her grandson’s words.
” Of Course you would do that grandma but do you know that to others money is nothing? Is that money enough to bring her parents back to life? Forget about that, did you even follow up on her life after paying her off?” David asked bitterly.
” She was just a minor when her parents died, how did you think that money was all she needed to survive?”
Listening to her grandson, the old lady felt ashamed.
She was in a hurry back then to put everything behind them to even consider that.
” I’m sorry but if I did that, that’s because I only wanted to protect you and your daughter. Is it wrong for me to think about my family before everything else?” The old lady asked.
She had been carrying a secret for three years, a secret she never let anybody else in.
” What do you mean protect Lily and I? Nothing ever threatened us before.” David spoke.
” That’s where you are wrong. That night, whatever happened was no accident. It was a plan to get rid of Sandra.” The old lady confessed.
After the accident, David stayed in the hospital for a month before regaining consciousness. In that one month, she discovered that the brakes of his wife’s car were tampered with before the accident and that’s why they failed to function.
” What do you mean?” David asked, his brows creased together.
After narrating everything, David did not know whether to laugh or cry.
” So you chose to hide the fact that someone plotted against my family because you wanted to protect me?” Sarcasm was dripping in his words as he regarded his grandmother with a disbelieving look.
” I was afraid dear. Afraid that I’ll be losing Lily or you next. Whoever planned the accident did not seem like an easy person. When they knew I was looking into the matter, they sent a threat. I could not bear to lose any one of you. You were lying in bed helpless and I am old and can’t deal with such conspiracies. All I could do was ensure your safety.” The old lady explained.
David could feel the helplessness in her voice and as much as he wanted to yell at her for hiding such details from him, he knew that she did it to protect him and Lily.
As much as he wanted to get angry, he could not.
” Why didn’t you tell me later?” She could have told him later rather than choosing to hide the truth all together.
” My later happens to be today. I have a hunch that whoever went after Sandra would be coming after the lady downstairs. Sandra was never a violent person and did not have any enemies.” The old lady informed.
” What do you mean by that?” David asked despite having an inkling of her message.
” She’s in danger as long as she stays by your side. I suggest you tell her about her parents’ death and how you are involved. Don’t build your relationship on lies.” Madam Brown advised.
” Does that mean you don’t have a problem with her?” David asked, albeit sceptically.
” I have no problem with whoever you choose to be with. As long as you are happy, that’s all that matters.” Madam Brown said with a smile.
” Thank you Grandma. I don’t plan on telling her about her parents death in the meantime. I will secretly investigate whoever was responsible for that accident and make them pay. I owe that to her parents and Sandra.” David said with finality.
If someone plotted the death of Sandra, he would hunt that person down and make them bleed to death.
Nobody messes with his loved ones and escapes scot free.
” Do what you have to do but make sure to be careful. I don’t want to lose anyone again.”
After assuring his grandmother that nothing would happen to him and that he would be careful, he escorted her downstairs.
Not wanting to Intrude any further, old Madam Brown bid them goodbye but not without inviting Sheila to visit her at her house.