Chapter 475

Instinctively, Anastasia turned her head-and froze.
Standing in her line of sight was an elderly woman, eyes brimming with tears and face full of emotion. It was her grandmother.
Mrs. Brennan was flanked on either side her aunt Winni holding a photo album to the right, and her cousin Juliet supporting her on the left.
Winni’s expression darkened the moment she spotted Anastasia, but Juliet’s eyes lit up, her face breaking into a look of pure delight.
“Anastasia!” she called out.
Anastasia managed a small smile for her, then looked back at her grandmother in the center.
She hadn’t expected to run into her grandmother here, so suddenly and unprepared.
Sensing the stiffness in her palm, Harrison gently squeezed her hand, reassuring and steady—a silent promise of support. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by.net
Anastasia glanced up, meeting the depth and warmth in Harrison’s eyes. She smiled at him, feeling herself calm just a little.
Her grandmother’s eyes were red as she gazed at Anastasia, lips parting as if to speak, but the words caught somewhere between her heart and her tongue. The sight made Anastasia’s own chest ache.
After a brief hesitation, she released Harrison’s hand and stepped forward.
She had barely taken two steps when her grandmother broke free from Juliet’s gentle hold and hurried toward her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Tears spilled over as she cried out-
“My Ana
Despite the years, her grandmother’s hug was just as warm as it had been when Anastasia was a child. Anastasia’s nose tingled, and she wrapped her arms around her in return. “Grandma
“Oh, my Ana The old woman’s eyes overflowed as she looked her up and down, voice trembling. “You’ve gotten so thin. Haven’t you been eating?”
Anastasia almost laughed. She was the same as ever-where did this idea of being thin come from? But she knew: to a loving grandmother, her grandchild could never be cared for enough, never quite perfect.
“Grandma, I promise, I’ve been eating well.” She tried to reassure her.
Her grandmother shook her head, voice breaking. “How could you have? No one’s been looking after you
For years, her grandmother had kept
her distance, afraid of upsetting her husband or Anastasia’s distant
stepmothe
She always thought
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that, even if Nora was a poor excuse for a stepmother, at least Ana had her father.
Who could have guessed Gabriel would turn out to be so heartless? Back when Cecilia was alive, he’d been the poster child for devoted husbands-everyone praised him.
In recent years, the Brennan family had kept a low profile, rarely mingling with the social circle, and news of Anastasia was scarce. All she heard were vague rumors that the Sterling family s Anastasia was headstrong and difficult-she always assumed her Ana was living well, at least well enough that no one dared cross her.
But recently, after digging a little deeper, the truth had nearly broken her heart.
Who would have believed what her Ana had been through all these years? Neglected by her stepmother, framed by her stepsister, and ignored by Gabriel.
How much suffering had her Ana endured?
Guilt swamped her completely.
“It’s all my fault. I should have come to see you Finally, the tears spilled over. Juliet hurried forward, and Anastasia took the handkerchief she offered, gently dabbing away her grandmother’s tears.
“It’s alright, Grandma. I don’t blame you. I was stubborn, too, back then.”
Her kindness only made her grandmother ache more. Stroking Anastasia’s cheek, she said, “Never again. From now on, you’re coming home with me. Today I’m taking you home.”
Off to the side, Juliet’s smile faltered, her expression suddenly changing.