The Villain's Wife

Claude got silent. He stared at Qin Yuanfeng's aggrieved expression before sighing. "I'm sorry." He sat opposite to the twins. "It's just that… my grandmother is really old now. I can't just… My mother told me that one day she wouldn't remember me anymore." Another sigh escaped his lips as he looked at the pond in front of them. 

"I grew up with my grandmother. Growing up, my parents were very busy people. Even my grandparents could not take care of me. They used to dump my sister and me with Grandmother Luo. It was like free childcare for them." A sad smile slithered on his face. "However… when her condition started last year. My younger sister and I were at the university in the US. I— We were not able to support her when she needed us the most."

Lily looked at the younger man in front of him. So, this was the reason why she could sense guilt in the young man's eyes every time he stared at his grandmother. 

"She promised me that she would attend my graduation ceremony. Yet… she had one of her episodes and could not hold a conversation for a few minutes. She used to live in a mansion with her servants. At that time… she had an accident on the stairs. Good thing she only suffered minor damages. However, because of her condition, she didn't even know if someone pushed her or if she jumped or slipped." His lips thinned. This was the reason why they decided to transfer her to a smaller house. This was also the reason why Claude chose to move back to his grandmother after graduation; he wanted to take care of her.

"I'm so sorry to hear that." Lily gave a smile of sympathy. "I didn't know that something like this happened in the past. When she approached me the other night, I got excited about possibly knowing about my grandparents and didn't even think that it could worsen her current mental health."

"Just know that her mental health is degrading… I believe she only remembers things that had a deeper impact. Like… your grandparent's name. But this doesn't mean that she could recount everything that happened back then. Please… do not believe the words that she said." Claude's gaze went back to Lily. "I think…she is recounting a movie instead of the past. Like she keeps on saying weird stuff about how they killed Fred and Lilian. About how the two would finally have a happy ending in the heavens. She even said that she also wanted to die so she could see them."

"Who's they?" Qin Yuanfeng frowned.

"She said… ghosts." Claude shrugged. "Of course… these are not real. This is just her imagination every time that she's havingsome sort of an episode just like earlier."

"So… every time she had an episode… she would mention ghosts?"

Claude nodded at Lily's question. "But… I believe this is only because she had an extreme fear of ghosts. My grandmother does not even watch ghost movies. Her imagination can be pretty… broad. Because of this… she always sleeps with the lights on."

"I understand," Lily said. "Your grandmother is lucky to have you."

Claude's lips lifted into a slight smile. "I am lucky to grow up with her."

"What was she like?" Lily asked. "When you were a kid. What was your grandmother like?"

As expected, Claude pursed his lips. He turned his head away from her gaze. "She was… sweet, funny and caring. But a bit paranoid."

"Paranoid?"

"I think… she must have done something to Lilian. And she was afraid that the latter would retaliate and try to kill her. Of course… This is nothing but my speculation. It's just that… she is a bit… or maybe she is very cautious. She does not have a telephone in her room, and she didn't own a cell phone either. I believe she is one of those people who used to stock a lot of food because she's afraid that there will be some bombing and the world will end." Claude chuckled. "Now that I think about it. I remember one instance when she had a fight with my grandfather because she wanted to build a bunker underground. It sounds crazy, and my grandfather thinks she was out of her mind."

"She must have been through a lot. But what was she like before that? I mean… before she went to see Lilian and Fred?"

Claude frowned. "To be honest… we don't even know if she went to see them."

Lily immediately raised an eyebrow. "You mean?"

"We can't prove it. Aside from her claims… no one else saw her with Lilian and Fred." He sighed. "At some point, I believe that she just imagined things. Like… it was all in her head. She must have an undiagnosed depression or something that could make her act like that." Sadness flashed in his eyes. "She was all smiles and baking and gardening, you can see her smiling all the time, and not many people saw that she was broken inside. She was a strong woman… that didn't show any sadness. So everyone thought she was fine and no one bothered asking if she was alright."

Lily nodded. She completely understood this reasoning. A smile could always fool a lot of people. It could hide a lot of stuff that you feel inside. For some reason, Grand Luo reminded her of her grandmother Lilian. However, unlike Grandma Luo, Lilian…. seldom smile. She seemed cold and arrogant and was always silent and observant. This made her intimidating.

Because of this… Lilian... Wait….

Now that Lily thought about it… she could not remember Lilian having any friends aside from the people who worked under her! Cathy and Mr. Rossi. Then there is Yang Mi who Lilian picked for Lily. 

"Did you ask any specialists for her condition? Maybe medicine could calm her?" Qin Yuanfeng asked. Until now, he still believes that Madam Luo is faking it.

"We did! My parents have connections in a lot of hospitals in Europe, but sadly they said that this was because of her age. They cannot do anything about it."

"Wait… does she have Alzheimer's?" Qin Yuanfeng frowned. They know that she is suffering from memory loss, but no one really told them what her condition is.