Grace’s words hit hard. I couldn’t argue with them. I’m not her. I don’t know what she’s been through. I can’t understand her pain.
She only saw things from her own and Iris’s point of view. She thought Grace should visit her mother. But from Grace’s side, wasn’t that selfish and cruel?
Grace said I got everything without trying. No matter how hard she worked, she never got recognition. I couldn’t accept that.
One woman’s treasure is another’s poison. What you crave might not be what I want.
I never had a choice when I married Alexander. Even though I love him now, I wish I didn’t. If I didn’t love him, breaking up wouldn’t hurt so much.
But I had no choice. You can’t control your heart.
Now I understand why Alexander can’t let go of Grace. Some things are beyond our control.
I couldn’t help Iris with her daughter. When I went downstairs, I felt guilty. “What’s wrong, Evie?” Iris asked gently. “Nothing,” I forced a smile and shook my head. I asked if she wanted to go out today. She shook her head and smiled. “No, but I want to teach you how to cook crabs. You wanted to learn, right?” “Yes,” I replied.
It would pass the time. It might also distract Iris. Maybe it would lift her spirits.
So we got busy in the kitchen. Iris still complained about how clumsy I was. But her face was full of smiles. I was annoyed at how stupid I was, but I kept learning.
Iris said Gray loved her seafood since he was a kid. She worried he’d eat too much and get sick. She tried many recipes, and this one was the best. It tasted great and helped with the cold.
I listened carefully, like a serious student. Later, Iris looked at me with emotion. “Evie, I wish you were my daughter.” Her words made me shy. “Iris, I’m too clumsy.” “It’s better to be clumsy. Smart women can be too clever. Sometimes less is more.”
I just laughed. I didn’t know how to respond. I wanted to say Grace was much smarter and better than me. But mentioning Grace would only make Iris sad, so I stopped.
When the crabs were ready, Alexander came home. “Don’t you have work this afternoon?” I asked, surprised. “Yes, but I came back specially to eat my wife’s crab,” he replied with a smile. He had called earlier to check on Iris. Lily answered and told him Iris was teaching me to cook crabs. “Aren’t you allergic to crabs?” I teased. “I used to be. I’m better now,” he answered. I was speechless at his shamelessness. Iris laughed too.
That day, I took Iris back to the hospital for a checkup. It was just a follow-up. They prescribed some medicine and told her to keep taking it. Miracles don’t happen every day.
But I didn’t expect to run into Grace outside the outpatient building. She was stunned to see us. “Sister Grace—” I greeted her. But she acted like she didn’t know us. She turned and walked away. “Xiaoxiao, Xiaoxiao—” Iris suddenly stood up from her wheelchair. She grabbed Grace’s hand. “You’re mistaken,” Grace said coldly. “Xiaoxiao, I miss you so much,” Iris choked out. “I told you, you’ve got the wrong person!” Grace threw off Iris’s hand. Iris stumbled. I caught her just in time. My knee hit the wheelchair, and it hurt. But I didn’t care. “Sister Grace, please don’t do this,” I said sadly. Grace looked at me, said nothing, and walked away. She didn’t even go into the outpatient building.
Iris stared at her daughter’s back. She wanted to call out, but couldn’t. Tears streamed down her face. Her body shook violently. “Iris, Iris—Sister Grace, Iris fainted!” I screamed in panic.
By the time Alexander arrived, Iris was already in the emergency room. I was pacing outside, dazed. When I saw him, I grabbed his arm like he was my savior. “Iris, she suddenly fainted—” “What’s happening now?” He hugged me. “I don’t know. The doctor told me to wait here,” I shook my head. He turned and saw Grace sitting on a chair in the waiting area. He was stunned. “Why are you here?” he asked. I remembered Grace had heard me shout and turned back. “I met Sister Grace, and she helped me bring Iris to the emergency room,” I explained. “It’s nothing. I’ll go back first,” Grace said, standing up. “Sister Grace, please wait for Iris to come out. She really misses you,” I begged. Alexander looked at me, confused. Why did I want Grace to stay? Why did Iris miss her? “Alexander, Sister Grace is Iris’s daughter. Her long-lost daughter.” “What are you talking about? I have nothing to do with her!” Grace suddenly screamed hysterically. “Please don’t yell at my wife,” Alexander said coldly. Grace laughed bitterly. “Sorry. I shouldn’t disturb your happiness. Please don’t disturb my life. From now on, you’re you, and I’m me. We’ll never cross paths again.”
She turned and walked toward the elevator. “Sister Grace, if one day you realize you were wrong. By then, you might not have a chance to make it right. Iris might not make it out of here this time. You’ve always been so brave. Why can’t you give her a chance to explain? Even if you never forgive her, at least you won’t regret it. At least you gave her a chance,” I sobbed at her retreating back.