A Replacement Bride

Chapter 163

Once he left Jennifer's room, Joaquin lowered his gaze and studied the chest in his hands. It was a hand-carved chest made from the finest rosewood, which gave off a faint scent. There was a lock on the chest, but he didn't see the key, which he guessed Jennifer had already passed to Katherine sometime earlier.

After that, he left for home with the chest. Thinking for a moment, he sent Katherine a message on WhatsApp to remind her about paying attention to Jennifer.

At first, she was surprised to receive such a message from him. Then, she went straight to Jennifer's room and knocked on the door.

The room remained silent as no answer came from behind the door. She waited for a while before she pushed the door open and went inside.

Jennifer was sleeping on the bed with rhythmic breathing. Walking over, she sat on the bed and took the elder woman's pulse on her wrist. She had made sure Jennifer was only undergoing the normal aging process and wasn't suffering from various diseases. Then, she put her grandmother's hand down, tucked the woman under the blanket with gentle movements, and left the bedroom.

As she began to walk away from Jennifer's bedroom, she recalled Joaquin saying Zachary was fond of oil paintings, so she took a turn and went to Noah's room.

Noah had always kept her room clean and tidy as her things were organized in their designated place according to her preference, and no dust could be found on every surface.

Noah's face bloomed with happiness when she saw Katherine. Sitting at the place where she was, her eyes never left the older woman as she softly addressed, "Mom."

Even though she had a delicate and adorable face, Katherine could never completely accept her identity. Pursing her lips, Katherine stood there for a moment before she managed to speak her request. "Can I have some of your drawings?"

"Sure." Noah cheerfully did as told as she turned away to look for them.

Noah loved to draw. During her free time, she would stay in her room to draw instead of going out. She was immersed in the world exclusive to herself, resisting the idea of the outside world reaching her.

Looking at the little silhouette of Noah, Katherine couldn't help but sigh.

Noah pulled the drawer out and came back with a pile of her works. Standing in hesitation, she began meekly, "Mom, which one do you like?"

Katherine stretched out her hands and took the drawings from Noah.

She never bothered to appreciate what Noah was drawing the whole time as the incident five years ago had caused her to go against the idea of her having Noah as her daughter. On usual days, she would avoid the girl as best as she could. Besides, she also had a history of not talking much to Noah for the longest time.

Katherine had to admit that she was the major reason for Noah's autism.

Once she collected her thoughts, she lowered her head to check out the paintings. Noah was not afraid of combining brilliant colors in her works and the powerful colors together brought out her rich and colorful spirit world. One could easily tell that the artist was someone who appreciated life and the world from their paintings.

The more Katherine looked at them, the more overwhelmed she was. After she had scanned through the remaining works, she began to see Noah in a new light.

Remaining in silence for a long time, she crouched before the girl and stared into her eyes.

Noah was more emaciated when compared to the children of her age because Katherine gave birth to her prematurely. At that time, Katherine was still considered young. As she was busy taking care of both Jennifer's illness and her own academics, she never had the scope to think of other matters, not even the condition of her pregnant body. It indeed shocked her when she was told that she was giving birth to a baby.

"I've failed to be a good mother for you, but I want to learn to be a mother. Can I have your help?" The girl with a pair of crystal clear eyes had touched something deep inside her heart. From NôvelDrama.Org.

She reached out her hand toward Noah while using a gentle tone for the first time to talk to the girl.

The girl was surprised at first. She studied her mother for a while before she cautiously placed her hand in Katherine's outstretched hand. "Mom?"

"From now on, you don't have to hide in your room. You can tell me if you want to go out, and I'll come along with you." Katherine pressed her lips into a thin line as she struggled before she finally spoke with a gentle tone.

"Yes!" Noah immediately nodded her head in a vigorous manner.

By watching the contagious smile on Noah's face, Katherine couldn't help but curl up the corner of her lips.

It seems like opening up isn't as hard as I imagine it would be.

She took Noah's drawings and left the room. After she went back to her room, she began to recall the feelings when Noah called her "Mom" and reached out a hand to hold her. She had never experienced such an amazing feeling and she couldn't help but return to the sensation.

She allowed herself to be immersed in the new experience before she finally chose two from the paintings. Then, she designed a frame for each of them by herself and packed them in the present box. As another idea came to her, she chose another small bottle of pills and sighed in relief as she finished the preparation.

The next morning, Katherine woke up and found Noah sitting in the living room, having a conversation with Jennifer.

It seemed to her that Jennifer was in a good mood and looked healthy. Even though Noah didn't speak much, she replied to Jennifer every time the elder woman talked to her. Their interaction was unexpectedly harmonious to Katherine.

"Grandma, Noah." Standing there and watching the pair for a moment, she joined them with a look of pure surprise.

Noah cast her a shy look as her eyes sparkled in anticipation of Katherine's compliment.

Katherine wasn't prepared for the look on Noah's face, thus she only cleared her throat after a long silence and praised, "Noah, you did well today."

"Good." Noah nodded her head happily at the compliment as if she just had candy and her heart felt like it was coated in honey.

Seeing that Noah was satisfied from such a minor thing, Katherine could feel the guilt inside her chest.

She had paid too little attention to Noah in the past.

The three had lunch together, and at 4.00PM, Joaquin came to pick Katherine up for dinner at the Fosters.

Katherine had already informed Jennifer about her outing earlier. When she left the house, she brought along the mounted paintings with her. As the paintings were done by Noah, they were small in size and easy to carry.

"Didn't I tell you that you don't have to bring anything?" When he saw Katherine carrying a huge bag of presents, Joaquin shot her a look of resignation.

"These aren't for you. I want to give them to Grandpa," she explained with a serious expression.

He said nothing more to her determined face as he was out of ideas to persuade her.

The sun hadn't fully set below the horizon when they arrived at the Foster Residence.

Zachary had waited outside in expectation of their arrival a long time ago since he knew Joaquin and Katherine would be visiting.

Standing beside him to wait for the couple, Chelsea teased him.

As soon as the young ones stepped into the house, Zachary quickly pretended to be nonchalant about it.

"You won't believe what I have witnessed. Your grandfather has been expecting you since this morning. I bet the more he pokes his neck out, the higher the possibility he becomes a giraffe in the zoo." Watching them coming closer, Chelsea exposed Zachary.

Joaquin let out a chuckle. "Didn't I tell you that we'll set off at four and arrive around six?"

"Your grandpa can't wait to see you." She rolled her eyes at Zachary, not bothering to save his dignity.

Watching them bantering, Katherine could finally understand the reason why Joaquin was fond of the Foster Residence.

Compared to the Levisay Residence, this place was livelier and warmer, just like how a home should be.

Listening quietly to Chelsea teasing Zachary on the side, Katherine handed over the presents to them. "Grandpa, this one is for you. Grandma, this is yours."