Declan called out, "Grandma," as he entered the room, his fingers still interlacing with Yasmin's.
Helena was resting in a luxury black massage chair. She sat up straight and looked at the door when she heard the familiar voice. She squinted and adjusted her dark brown rimmed glasses.
"Declan…" She smiled, spreading her arms wide.
Declan leaned over and hugged her.
"You are so busy that you don't even have time to come and see your grandmother," Helena complained. "My old eyes longed to see you."
"Why don't you stay with me?"
"Hahaha…" Helena burst out laughing. "This house holds countless memories for your grandfather. I cannot leave this house. And…" she leaned over to him and said discreetly, "I don't want to leave my son alone with that witch Caroline."
Declan chuckled, and Helena laughed. Yasmin gaped at them, puzzled as to what made them so happy.
"Don't keep working so hard. Give yourself some time." Helena rubbed his arms up and down.
"Don't worry about me." Declan propped his hips on the armrest of the recliner. "Tell me about you. How are you feeling?"
"Uh, my knees hurt at times," she grimaced, clutching her knees. "But I am still strong." She grinned. Her gaze shifted to Yasmin standing a little away from them.
"What are you doing standing there?" she snapped. "Come here." She beckoned to her.
Yasmin slowly approached her, her stomach knotting tight. She assumed Helena was also angry with her and her family. She stood right in front of her, pale and nervous. She glanced at Declan, hoping he would rescue her from Helena's wrath. But he gave her a blank stare, his face expressionless. It made her annoyed.
'Isn't his grandmother kind? Why didn't he tell me she looked scary at times?'
Helena scowled at her. "How long are you going to stare at me? When are you going to give me a hug?"
Yasmin blinked, stunned. She grinned, looking at her smile. "You scared me," she mumbled, snaking her arms around her neck.
"Do I look like an old witch?"
"No, you are sweet." Yasmin giggled.
"Sit here." Helena tapped the stool next to her.
Yasmin sat down.
"Is Declan causing you any problems?" Helena asked.
"No…" Yasmin lowered her head, blushing. "He is good to me."
"Uh, you will say that when he is around." Helena gave him a stern look, pretending to be skeptical. "Let me know if he troubles you. I will chastise him."
Yasmin peeked at him and met his same blank stare.
"Has everyone arrived?" Helena asked.
"Hmm." Declan nodded.
"If that's the case, why are you here instead of spending time with everyone?"
"You know, I love to spend time with you." Declan took her wrinkled hand in his and patted the back of it. "I came here only for you."
"Ahh… you are saying as if you don't care about others."
"You know it better. I don't need to explain." He put his hand around her shoulder and rested his chin over her head.
"My boy. I also like to spend time with you." She put her hand on his cheek.
Yasmin had never seen such a happy expression on his face. His calm and cheerful demeanor made her happy. Helena was the only person in this family who showered him with the unconditional love he needed the most.
Yasmin now understood why Declan had mentioned how important his grandmother was to him. She wished to be as important to him as Helena was and to love him wholeheartedly.
In the hall…
The environment here was not peaceful at all.
Tina exploded after hearing Derrek's remark. "I don't need your advice. Mind your own business."
"Tina, behave…" Sean grumbled. His face was scarily dark.
Tina fumed but quieted down as she knew how bad Sean's temper was. She had come here to find a chance to speak with Declan. She didn't want to leave before that.
"Well, I was only trying to help you," Derrek said casually as he got up. "It is entirely up to you whether to take the advice or not." He trotted to his room, humming a tune.
"Don't be upset with him." Caroline patted Tina on the shoulder. "Derrek is childish. He doesn't know what to say or not to say."
"Yes. Don't spoil your mood because of him." Amber tugged on her arm. "You know how Derrek is. He is trying to annoy you by pulling your legs. And don't think too much about Yasmin. This marriage will not last long."
Tina frowned and cast her a quizzical look, which meant, 'How are you so sure?'
Amber smiled knowingly. "Yasmin is too young for Declan. She won't be able to manage with him. She is newly married, so she is excited. But her excitement will quickly fade when she realizes how difficult it is to stay with Declan. And Declan, humph…" She sneered. "His heart is made up of stone. It's not easy to win his heart and his love. This marriage is bound to break."
Tina's anger started to dissipate after hearing her statement. She couldn't deny the fact that Declan was a complicated man with a traumatic childhood. Even she couldn't make him fall in love with her in those years. She was certain that Yasmin would never win him.
"I am hopeful," Tina murmured. She was overjoyed but kept a sullen expression on her face as if she were upset.
"Stop this conversation right now," Sean said, his voice tinged with a warning.
"Don't get upset, Sean." Amber interlinked her fingers with his and gave him a warm smile. "Just chill out."
Meanwhile, Gerald and Earl walked in.
"Uh, you two have already arrive." Gerald laughed. "Wait for me. I will go freshen up and join you in a few minutes." He walked into his room.
Earl glanced at Amber's hand on Sean's as he took his seat at the far end of the sofa. He kept checking something on his phone without paying much attention to them and their conversations.
Several minutes later…
Dinner was served. Everyone gathered in the dining hall. Declan and Yasmin also came out of Helena's room. When Declan saw Tina coming over, he tugged on Yasmin's hand.
Yasmin halted her steps and turned to him with a squint. She almost stopped breathing as his tall frame leaned over to her. Every time he got closer, her stomach did a summersault. Her heart also raced faster.
"I have been meaning to tell you something for a long time," he murmured, his breath falling on her neck, sending tingles throughout her body.
Yasmin pursed her lips, struggling with the urge to moan.
"You must fight your own battle," he continued with the same hoarse tone. "I won't be available every time to help you."
The overwhelming feeling of insecurity made Tina increasingly agitated. Her whole body was burning with anger and resentment. If her fiery gaze could burn someone, Yasmin would have turned to ash by now.
She believed Declan could only be hers, and she would go to any length to reclaim him. When she had this thought, her eyes glowed strangely.