Chapter 502
“Stop twisting things around,” Jennifer retorted. “When Jonathan got divorced, he wanted to leave Teresa the house, but the will… the one for Jonathan… flipped a coin.”
“Like she would dare take it. What if you sue her over it? We have some self-respect, unlike you,” Irene scoffed, “just to make a scene.” Jennifer had never forgotten how Gordon had ruined her wedding, turning her into a joke. It had cut deep, a wound that never quite healed, and she’d been waiting for the perfect moment to strike back. Now, finally, that moment was here.
Irene clutched her chest, feigning injury and embarrassment. Heidi tried to comfort her, then turned to Jennifer, scolding, “Look at how upset you’ve made her. Do you have any respect for your elders at all? Didn’t your mother teach you any manners?”
Irene grumbled, “She didn’t even have a mother to teach her. She was just picked up and raised by a teacher.”
Heidi clicked her tongue. “Now I’m really curious what kind of person would even bother to take you in.”
The sharp tap of a cane echoed through the room. A deep, commanding voice rang out, “Want to see me, Heidi?”
Everyone turned. Jonathan was helping an old lady walk in, with Gordon beside them. The old lady’s gray hair was perfectly styled, her wrinkled face full of dignity, her eyes sharp and full of life.
Irene hurried to Jonathan. “Where have you been? You said you were helping your grandpa look for someone. And who’s this?”
Before Jonathan could answer, Jennifer strode over, her eyes panicked. “Ms. Nelson, what are you doing here?”
Heidi interjected, “So you’re the teacher who took her in? I have to ask, what kind of manners did you teach her? She’s got no respect for my sister at all!”
Fiona glanced at Heidi, then at Gordon with disappointment. “Just look at how you’ve raised your kids.”
Gordon clung to Fiona’s arm, shaking his head. “I don’t even know her, Fiona.”
At the mention of “Fiona,” Irene and Heidi froze, exchanging stunned looks.
Jonathan finally spoke, “She’s the real Fiona, my real grandma.” He’d learned about his grandmother on the way, even showing her photos of her two daughters. Only Teresa was unfamiliar to her; Genevieve had seen the others.
Genevieve approached the bedside and gazed at the elderly woman. She sighed softly and gently squeezed the woman’s hand. The old woman’s eyes fluttered, her pulse quickened, and she coughed. Then, as if feeling a familiar touch, she slowly opened her eyes.
Genevieve patted her shoulder. “It’s been decades, Genevieve.”
Everyone was stunned. Heidi asked, “Jonathan, what on earth is going on? Who’s actually your grandmother? I’m so confused.”
Jonathan, following Gordon’s gaze, said, “Grandpa would never mistake his own love. Ms. Nelson here is my real grandmother.”
“How is that possible? Are there really two people named Fiona?” Heidi was baffled. Irene was equally confused—who was the real Fiona?
Jonathan produced a DNA test report and handed it over. Teresa, by the window, saw clearly—it was the same report he’d shown her before. Trene stared at the results in shock. “When did you even do this test? How come I never knew about it?”
“I did it a long time ago,” Jonathan replied.
Irene muttered, “So the old lady in the bed isn’t your real grandmother? Then why is she called Fiona, and why does she look so much like Fiona did when she was young?”
“Let me explain,” Genevieve said calmly. With the family gathered, she began to tell them what had happened.
Back then, Fiona came from a poor family, but she was talented and hardworking, and had a chance at city schooling. But her cousin, Genevieve, stole her name and place, using Fiona’s identity. Fiona was devastated. Her parents told her to let it go, but she couldn’t. She didn’t want to go to city school herself, so she left home and went to find Genevieve.
On her way, she met Gordon—a tall, handsome guy. They fell in love at first sight, and after a few days, he wanted to marry her. Fiona, in love, focused on being a good wife and mother. She’d forgotten about Genevieve. When she discovered she was pregnant, possibly with twins, they were overjoyed.
Trouble arrived. Gordon had a childhood friend who secretly liked him. Jealous of Fiona’s pregnancy, she forged letters making it seem Fiona was having an affair. Gordon, trusting his friend, believed the letters—full of flirty lines—and lost it. Blinded by jealousy, he refused to listen to Fiona, decided she was cheating, doubted the babies were his, and forced her to have an abortion.
Fiona refused, insisting she hadn’t cheated, but Gordon didn’t believe her. He left and never returned. Fiona gave birth alone. The delivery was difficult; she passed out from exhaustion. When she woke, the midwife heartbreakingly told her both babies hadn’t survived.
Recalling this, Fiona shot a cold look at Gordon, old and senile, staring blankly. “He might have forgotten everything, but I haven’t. And I’ll never forgive the pain and despair he put me through.”
Then she turned to Jonathan, her eyes softening. “Jonathan told me I needed to clear the air. He’s right—I can’t let my past cause misunderstandings for the younger generation.”
The old woman in bed opened her eyes and stared at Fiona. The truth became clear. The real Fiona looked down at her cousin, eyes full of tears. A mocking smile appeared on Fiona’s lips. “You had your uterus removed. How could you possibly have children?”
The old woman closed her eyes, tears rolling down her face. Fiona’s head of silver hair seemed to shine brighter. “It’s all karma,” she said quietly. “This is the retribution we all have to bear.” Her thoughts drifted off.