Chapter 37: Chapter 37
Elise rose from her chair. Looking at Old Madam Bennett, she forced down the turmoil churning inside her and spoke in an even tone.
"Grandma, I’m full. I’m going upstairs to rest."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked straight toward the second floor.
Old Madam stared after her retreating figure for several moments before finally turning to Dylan.
"Dylan, is Elise upset?"
Dylan’s voice was gentle as he reassured her.
"Grandma, she’s had a lot on her plate at the company today. She’s just tired."
"Really?"
The old woman frowned thoughtfully. Glancing at Robin, she murmured, "I don’t know. I keep feeling like something is off with her today."
"She’s exhausted, that’s all. Don’t worry yourself."
After a moment of consideration, Old Madam Bennett nodded.
"That’s true. I’ve watched that child grow up. She may seem stubborn on the outside, but she has the softest heart. She’d never stay angry with me."
Then her expression became serious.
"But Dylan, no matter how you look at it, Robin’s situation has been unfair to Elise. As her husband, you need to make it up to her and take care of her feelings."
Dylan inclined his head.
"Grandma, Elise and I have known each other for years. You don’t need to worry. We understand one another. She’s simply not familiar with Robin yet. Once they spend more time together, she’ll accept him."
"Of course she will." Old Madam Bennett smiled warmly. "Our Robin is such a lovable child. Elise is kindhearted. Sooner or later, she’ll grow to care about him."
She stroked Robin’s hair affectionately before addressing him.
"Robin, from now on, you should call Elise Aunt Elise. Be polite to her and behave yourself. Work hard to earn her affection, alright?"
Robin nodded earnestly.
"Don’t worry, Grandma. I like Aunt Elise too. I’ll do my best so she likes me soon. Then you and Dad won’t have to worry anymore."
The old woman’s face lit up.
"Our Robin is such a thoughtful boy."
Then she looked up at Dylan and added, "It seems Quinn really did devote herself to raising Robin these past five years. One day, when I have the chance, I’d like to meet her personally and thank her."
Something akin to irritation flickered briefly in Dylan’s eyes.
"Grandma, you don’t need to concern yourself with Quinn. Right now, your only priority is recovering and preparing for surgery."
The old woman considered his words and nodded.
"You’re right."
Her gaze drifted to Robin, softening.
"For a while, I thought that at my age there was no point fighting illness. Whatever years I had left, I would simply accept them. But now that Robin is here..."
She smiled wistfully.
"This old woman suddenly isn’t ready to leave so soon."
"As long as you follow the doctors’ instructions, living to a hundred won’t be a problem."
Old Madam laughed.
"You always know exactly what to say to make your grandmother happy."
Then she narrowed her eyes at him.
"But somehow you can’t say the right things to your wife."
Her tone turned scolding.
"Don’t think I didn’t notice. You and Elise were arguing upstairs, weren’t you?"
Dylan pressed his lips together but said nothing. Seeing his silence, the old woman sighed helplessly.
"Dylan, I’ve watched both of you grow up. I’ve always known you’re more alike than either of you wants to admit. When you become stubborn, neither of you is willing to back down."
Dylan lowered his gaze. The shadow of his lashes concealed whatever emotions lay beneath.
Old Madam Bennett’s voice softened.
"But in all these years, the one I’ve seen compromising again and again has been Elise."
She shook her head.
"You really don’t know how fortunate you are. You’re always so proud, so unwilling to lower your head. No matter how much a woman loves you, there will come a day when she’s exhausted."
A trace of sorrow entered her expression.
"Especially after everything she went through with the twins..."
The old woman sighed heavily.
"Dylan, don’t take advantage of her kindness just because she loves you. She’s had it harder than you. As her husband and as a man, you should be the one showing her understanding and compassion."
Dylan’s throat tightened. After a long pause, he finally replied in a low voice.
"I understand, Grandma."
The old woman clicked her tongue.
"Understanding isn’t enough. You need to say it out loud."
***
The next morning, when Elise came downstairs, Dylan had already left the house.
Old Madam had not yet come out of her room.
Robin was alone in the living room, sitting on the carpet and building towers from colorful blocks. In the kitchen, Mrs. Lander busied herself preparing breakfast.
Elise spared the child a brief glance before walking to the kitchen doorway.
"Mrs. Lander, I’m heading to the office. If Grandma asks, tell her I’ll be at work and won’t be back until this evening."
Mrs. Lander looked up from the stove. "Madam, aren’t you going to have breakfast before you leave?"
"No." Elise shook her head. "I’ll eat when I get to the office."
The moment she stepped out of the manor, Zoey was already waiting.
Elise opened the passenger door, climbed into the car, and fastened her seatbelt.
"Let’s go."
Zoey handed her a paper bag.
"Breakfast made with love. Eat it while it’s still warm."
A genuine smile finally touched Elise’s lips when she saw the neatly packed meal.
"Thank you."
As Zoey pulled the car onto the road, she asked, "How was it over there yesterday?"
"Not good." Elise lowered her gaze. "Zoey, I never expected even Grandma to change because of that child."
Zoey frowned. "What do you mean?"
"She knows Robin’s real identity. She feels sorry for him." Elise paused before continuing. "She didn’t force me to accept Robin as my adopted son, but she’s clearly taken his side. She wants Dylan to continue being Robin’s father."
Zoey rounded her eyes. "What does that even mean?"
Keeping one hand on the steering wheel, she shot Elise a bewildered look.
"What do you mean she doesn’t expect you to accept him, but still wants Dylan to be his father?"
"It means that now I’m Robin’s aunt, while Dylan is still Robin’s father."
For a moment, Zoey was speechless. Then she nearly swerved the car into a pole.
"What kind of ridiculous family tree is that?"
Her voice rose in disbelief.
"If I remember correctly, Old Madam Bennett doesn’t know you and Dylan are already in the middle of a divorce. In her eyes, you’re still a perfectly normal married couple. How does that arrangement make any sense at all?"
Elise said nothing... Because it didn’t make sense. And yet it was exactly what had happened.
After a long silence, she finally spoke.
"Actually, I think I understand what Grandma is thinking."
Zoey glanced at her, surprised. "And?"
"She believes I’m softhearted."
A faint, bitter smile tugged at Elise’s lips.
"She thinks that although I’m refusing Robin now, if I spend enough time with him, I’ll gradually grow attached to him. Eventually, I’ll accept him naturally."
Zoey’s mouth twitched.
"That’s... honestly difficult to even comment on."
"I understand it, though."
Elise looked down at the sandwich in her hands.
The warmth from the wrapping seeped into her palms, but it couldn’t reach the chill settling inside her chest.
"When it comes to blood ties, what are twenty years of affection worth?"
She let out a quiet laugh that carried no amusement.
"No matter how much Grandma loves me or treats me like family, she would never truly choose me over her biological great-grandson. That’s the power people give to blood relationships."
"Give me a break." Zoey snorted. "That’s not human nature. That’s the Bennett family being selfish."
Her tone sharpened. "Stop making excuses for them. Not everyone is like you."
Elise looked up while Zoey continued mercilessly.
"You know what your biggest problem is? You’re too soft."
She tapped the steering wheel irritably.
"The second someone shows you a little kindness, you give them your whole heart. If they treat you well once, you spend the rest of your life trying to repay them tenfold."
Her expression darkened.
"But not everyone deserves that kind of loyalty."
The car fell silent.
Elise stared out the window as the city blurred past.
For a long time, they did not speak at all.
Because deep down... Elise knew Zoey was right.
