Gregory and I, once again, found ourselves in an awkward situation without even planning it.
I tugged at Ramonaâs arm, âRamona, about this...â
âSoon.â
Gregory cut me off mid-sentence, but his tone softened when he spoke to Ramona, âDonât worry, Ramona. Iâll marry her soon. Just focus on getting better. We canât have a wedding until youâre back on your feet.â
I must've looked utterly baffled.
The guy talking didnât even glance my way, as if what he was saying had nothing to do with me.
Ramonaâs eyes lit up, âReally?â
âReally,â Gregory answered with a smile.
I changed the subject, âRamona, letâs have breakfast. Dr. Andrews will be here soon.â
Judging by the time, Dr. Andrews should be finishing his breakfast any minute now.
Right after Dorothy and her daughter left, I messaged Dr. Andrews' assistant to let them know everything was settled.
My timing wasnât off. Just as Ramona finished her breakfast, Dr. Andrews and his team arrived.
Dr. Andrews was about to start his treatment, and it didnât seem right for me to stick around, so I decided to head back to the hotel to pack up my things.
Staying at Elmwood Villas felt more like home than any hotel ever could.
I never expected that the moment I stepped out of the elevator, Iâd be greeted by a duo waiting at my doorstep.
One standing, one sitting.
I was taken aback, âWaiting for me?â
Gregory didnât say anything, but Ike scampered over with his little legs and nodded vigorously, âYeah! Pretty lady, Uncle Gregory brought me to your place!â
âAnd what about your uncle?â
âHeâs leaving soon!â
Gregory gave him a sideways glance. âWho told you that?â
âSo, youâre not leaving?â
âI am.â
After saying that in his usual calm tone, Gregory pinched Ikeâs cheek and gave me a look, âIâve got a meeting to attend. Heâs your responsibility now.
If he starts acting up, feel free to set him straight.â
âDonât worry, Iâm not violent.â
âOh, and,â
He looked at me intently, out of the blue, he said, âI still need an answer to the question Edith interrupted last night. Iâll ask again when I come to pick up Ike.â
...
I thought handling a kid Ikeâs size would be a hassle.
But it turned out to be surprisingly peaceful.
Once inside, I noticed Gregory had arranged for cleaners to come regularly, so the place was spotless.
As I unpacked, Ike buzzed around me non-stop.
But when I got my drawing board ready to work, he grabbed his puzzle and started working on it with serious concentration.
Feeling my gaze on him, he looked up with his big eyes, âWhatâs up, pretty lady?â
âI think youâre awesome. You have great focus.â
âUncle says if you canât focus on one thing, youâll end up being a player in love, and spend your life forever alone!â
I couldnât help but laugh, âDo you even know what forever alone means?â
âYep!â He nodded vigorously. âLike Uncle, forever alone!â
...
Later that evening, there was a knock on the door.
Expecting Gregory to come for Ike, I was surprised to see Edith instead.
I was slightly confused, âEdith, arenât you supposed to be traveling abroad?â
âThereâs still some time left.â
She smiled, her lips curving gently. âMay I come in for a bit?â
âOf course.â
As soon as I said that, Ike, hearing his momâs voice, dashed over and hugged her. âMommy! Ike missed you!â
âHow about going abroad with me?â
âNo!â
The little guy shook his head, âI have important things to do!â
Edith chuckled, âWhat important things?â
Ikeâs eyes darted around, his lips pursed in feigned mystery. âI promised Uncle I wouldnât tell.â
âAlright, go play then.â
Edith gently nudged him towards a spare room I hardly used.
I opened the fridge, asking her, âWater, or juice?â
âIâm fine, thanks.â
Edith smiled again, âI just want to talk for a bit, then I have to catch a flight.â
I nodded, leading her to the living room to sit down.
Straight to the point, Edith asked, âWhat are your plans with Gregory?â
It wasnât like I hadnât thought about it, but I hadnât come to any conclusions yet.
âIâm still thinking, but no decisions yet.â
The years had changed me drastically, and the distance between Gregory and me wasnât just about the physical space but the years and misunderstandings that lay between us.
Edith wasnât surprised by my response, âTake your time. I came here mainly to ask you to look after my son. Gregoryâs temper has been a bit off these past two years...â
âIâll take care of him. Gregoryâs temper isnât that bad...â
âThe explosion. It damaged his sight, leaving him blind for a long stretch.â
Edith paused, her lips pressed together, âAnd his legs, as youâve seen. To him, thatâs worse than death. He refused treatment at first, became angry and irritable. Do you know what made him agree to treatment?â
âWhy?â
âI told him if he gave up or died, Iâd make sure youâd join him.â
Edithâs gaze softened apologetically, âDonât mind that. I was desperate. And the way you left back then really hit him hard. As his sister, I wasnât fond of you.â
I remained silent, my voice barely a whisper, âAnd then?â
âHe started cooperating with the doctors.â Edith seemed still in disbelief. âDid you know? He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder back then. But for you, he endured both mental and physical torture and pulled through.â
Bipolar disorder is a condition that combines episodes of depression and mania.
I clenched my fists, asking. âWhen was he diagnosed?â
âShortly after you went back to Bryant.â
Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson)
ï¤Chapter 424 His Charming Wife ï¤Chapter 10 Dominant Boss: Call Me Hubby, My Dear ï¤Chapter 250 Finn Shows up Amidst Many Obstructions