Chapter 99
If Mom hadn’t arrived early, Nicole might have driven Grandma to the brink. When no one else was around, Nicole could easily manipulate Grandma, and I tried to intervene, but it was like shouting into the wind. Mom didn't question Nicole, worrying more about her health than anything else.
“Your heart isn’t strong. You really shouldn’t stay up late,” Mom insisted.
“There’s a nurse here. I’ll catch some rest and check on Grandma afterward,” Nicole replied.
“No way. It’s too much for you to be alone at the hospital. I’ll have your brother hire a couple of caregivers to take shifts looking after you,” Dad suggested. His suggestion, though stemming from concern for Nicole, was a blessing in disguise. No matter how much Nicole protested, my parents wouldn’t budge, always citing her health. Nicole had no choice but to comply.
With the caregivers arriving promptly, the family returned to the Kennedy house. Nicole seized her chance when the caregiver stepped out for medicine, edging closer to Grandma. I tried to intervene, but she brushed past me, inching ever nearer.
Grandma's eyes flickered anxiously; a mix of fear and caution was clear in her gaze. Nicole seemed to relish this reaction, a smug smile playing on her lips. “Scared, are you? Relax, I’m not dumb enough to finish you off here,” she sneered. “I warned you. I have a hundred ways that don’t involve getting my hands dirty. Why take the biggest risk? Besides, seeing you like this is more entertaining. I’m not in a rush to end this,” Nicole whispered.
Leaning closer, she murmured, “I want you to be in so much agony that you wish you were dead.”
My bewilderment mirrored Grandma’s. Why did Nicole despise her so much? Was it simply because Grandma had spoken well of me or wanted to leave me her shares? These were merely material things, not worth such deep-seated hatred.
“Jess, it’s getting late. You should rest a bit. I’ll keep an eye on your grandma,” Marian said, arriving with some food. “I’ve been looking after her for decades. No one understands her like I do.”
“Thank you. That’s really kind,” Nicole said, adopting her usual sweet demeanor.
Marian handed the food to the caregiver. “They made a lot. If you don’t mind, have some. Mrs. Kennedy isn’t going to get better overnight. You need to take care of yourself.”
“Alright, I’ll rest for a bit. Oh, Grandma seems to like this book, so I brought it for her. Maybe it’ll help her recover faster,” Nicole said, placing the leather-bound book by Grandma’s pillow.
I wondered why I was still there, but it quickly became clear: Nicole had brought the book to antagonize Grandma. Grandma recognized it as bound in my seminary skin, her eyes hardening at Nicole.
The more furious Grandma became, the wider Nicole’s grin spread. “Rest up, Grandma. I’ll pop by again soon.”
Marian leaned over to comfort Grandma. “Don’t let her get to you. She’s trying to provoke you. The skin was taken after I passed, so it…”