Chapter 60

Elise froze for a second. “How can we just not go through with the wedding? Stop making things worse p>

“You’re the one making things worse!” Pauline jabbed a finger at Elise, her voice shaking with anger. “What do you think Dorothea is to you? Just some tool to make yourself look better? Get out p>

Pauline was so worked up that her face turned red and she started breathing heavily. The staff at the nursing home rushed over, concern written all over their faces.

“Ma’am, you should really leave,” one of the nurses said, her tone firm but polite. “You’ve upset Pauline a lot. If she gets sick from this, it won’t be good for anyone p>

“That’s right. Pauline’s always been so kind. She’s lived here for years and has never gotten angry. Only her granddaughter comes to take care of her. You show up once and now look what’s happened. Please, just go p>

The staff and a few other residents all chimed in, and before long, Elise found herself pushed out the door.

As soon as the room calmed down, Dorothea handed Pauline her blood pressure pill. “Grandma, here. Take this slowly p>

She gently patted Pauline’s back, her voice soft and comforting. “Easy now… try not to get upset, okay p>

Pauline’s tears kept falling even as she swallowed the medicine. Her eyes were full of worry as she looked at Dorothea.

“Dorothea, I’m sorry. I always hoped you and your mom could get closer. I was scared that after I’m gone, you wouldn’t have anyone left to lean on p>

She let out a shaky breath, wiping her eyes. “But today… I see she’s not someone you can count on. Dorothea, I’ll do my best to stick around a few more years, to be your backup, all right? But Latham She hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. “Does he really like men p>

Dorothea froze, then quickly shook her head. “Grandma, don’t listen to her. Latham’s totally normal p>

Pauline frowned, trying to remember. “But the boyfriend you showed me in that picture before… he didn’t look like Latham. Dorothea, you’re a terrible liar. Marriage isn’t a joke. Don’t force yourself to do something you don’t want p>

Dorothea felt a pang of guilt. She couldn’t let Pauline know the truth, not when she was already so upset.

Not knowing what else to do, she pulled out her phone and dialed Latham’s number. He picked up after a few rings, his voice quiet and a little stuffy. “Dorothea p>

“Hey… honey, I made Grandma angry. Can you come over and help me calm her down p>

Dorothea put him on speaker, just so Pauline could hear. She crossed her fingers, silently hoping Latham would go along with this whole act.

There was a three-second pause. Then Latham’s low laugh echoed through the phone. “Wait for me. I’ll be right there p>

Dorothea spent the next few

minutes trying to soothe Pauline, making up stories about how she and Latham fell for each other’ first sight. No matter how sweet she tried to make it sound, Pauline didn’t seem convinced.

It wasn’t long before Latham walked in. He wore a thin black shirt, his hair a little messy from the wind. On his wrist a silver watch caught the light, and a ring gleamed on his finger.

He smiled, lips curving just enough. “Grandma, sorry I’m late p>

He glanced over at Dorothea, his eyes holding a mix of amusement and something hard to pin down… half gentle, half teasing.

He looked every bit the polite gentleman but there was a quiet intensity beneath the surface, like he was always watching.

Pauline wasn’t nearly as friendly as before. She just nodded, her face calm and distant. “You’re here p>

Latham stepped close to Dorothea,

casually festing his hand on her

shoulder. “Grandma, Dorothea’s not

great with words. If she said

something that bothered you please dont take it to heart p>