Chapter 17

Maeve wondered how her grandmother managed to endure her hardships over the past few years. She hugged her grandmother as tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. Agatha said nothing and simply sat on the couch as Maeve hugged her. “I’m sorry, Grandma. It’s my fault. I’ve caused you and Dad trouble. It’s all because of me...” Maeve blamed herself. Her heart ached so much that her breathing became hitched. “Maeve?” When Agatha heard the familiar voice, she finally snapped out of her daze, and her dull eyes became animated. Agatha fixed her gaze on Maeve, who was hugging her tightly. “Maeve, is that really you?” “Grandma, it’s me.” Maeve nodded. She wiped away her tears. “I’m Maeve!” “Your wedding is about to begin. Why haven’t you left for the hotel yet? Where is your wedding gown?” Agatha surveyed her surroundings before she hurriedly pulled Maeve up. “Where is this place? Hurry, come to the hotel with me! The wedding ceremony is about to begin!” Michael went up to them. “Ms. Lawson, it seems that your grandmother’s memory is stuck on the day when you got married. I have a suggestion. Sign the document to close the case and bring her home. It’s best to take her to the hospital first and do a full body checkup.” “Okay. Thank you for your help!” Maeve signed the document and took Agatha out of the police station. Maeve then called a cab. She did not immediately go back to Nunavut Bay. Instead, they went to the hospital. Right after she left the police station, Michael took out his phone and called Liam. “Mr. Scott, I’ve done according to Mr. Stevens’ instructions. Everything is settled. Please put in a good word about me to him.” “Good. Don’t worry. Mr. Stevens will reward you accordingly. Just wait for the good news. You will be promoted to a section chief soon.” “Thank you, Mr. Scott. Thank Mr. Stevens for me as well!” Michael thanked the man before he hung up. This year, he was lucky to be able to cotton up to Matthew Stevens. …… Meanwhile, Maeve took her grandmother to Paxton Hospital. After she had registered her grandmother and paid the registration fee, a doctor did a full body checkup for Agatha. The test result came out soon after that. Maeve could not understand the medical reports and scans. She turned to the doctor nervously. “Doctor, how is my grandma’s condition?” The doctor put down the medical reports and scans. He said, “Based on the results of the tests, your grandmother has been malnourished for a long time, so she has a weak body. Apart from that, she doesn’t have any serious illnesses. You mentioned that her memory is stuck to a time three years ago. I suggest that you take her to visit the Psychiatric Department. I won’t rule out the possibility of her having some mental health issues.” The doctor wrote the results of the diagnosis on Agatha’s medical record as he spoke. Maeve heaved a sigh of relief after knowing that her grandmother was not diagnosed with a serious illness; all she had was a weak body. However, she became worried again after learning that her grandmother might have some mental health issues. “I’ll prescribe some vitamins, calcium tablets, protein powder, and other supplements for her. Although supplements aren’t as effective as food, she will still take a longer time to regain her energy if she just consumed food alone. Thus, she needs to eat both supplements and food.” The doctor quickly wrote her a prescription. After Maeve paid the consultation and medical fees and took the prescribed supplements, she took Agatha to the Psychiatric Department. The psychiatrist was a female in her forties. She looked kind. As soon as Maeve and Agatha entered her office, Agatha turned around and wanted to leave. “Why did you bring me here? I’m not sick! Hurry up, we need to go to the hotel! The wedding ceremony is about to begin soon!” “Grandma, we’ll do one more checkup. This will be the final checkup. I can only marry in peace as long as you’re in the pink of health.” Maeve tried gently to persuade Agatha to cooperate with the checkup. Agatha was unhappy. She rebuked her, “Maeve, the guests are waiting for you. Your wedding is more important than anything else!” “Grandma.” Maeve felt her eyes burn. “My wedding ceremony is tomorrow. You can do the checkup first. After that, we’ll go to the hotel early in the morning tomorrow.” “Tomorrow?” Agatha frowned. “I thought today was the day. Did I remember it wrongly?” “Tomorrow is my big day. I can’t possibly remember it wrongly.” Agatha chuckled. “That’s true. I have to admit that I’m old. I have a poor memory nowadays.” While the doctor was examining Agatha, Maeve’s phone vibrated. She took it out and checked who the caller was. It was her husband. “Sorry, I need to take this call.” After she finished saying that, she turned to Agatha. “Grandma, be obedient and listen to the doctor’s instructions. I’ll come back right away after answering this call.” “Okay. It must be Ron who called to discuss the wedding details with you. Don’t bother about me, just do what you need to do. You must be busy with the wedding preparations. I can do the body checkup at any time, anyway. Why must you bring me to do the checkup today? I’m still in good health,” said Agatha while looking at the doctor. She then said proudly, “Maeve is a very good granddaughter, and she’s pretty, too. She’s going to be married tomorrow. The groom is from the Stevens family,” Agatha rambled on and on. Maeve’s eyes turned red. She took her phone, walked out of the office, and tapped on the Answer Call button. “Hi, Mr. Scott.” Matthew heard her sniffly tone from the other end of the line. He hazarded a guess. “Are you crying?” “No.” Maeve smiled. Her eyes were red and teary. “Thank you. Please thank Mr. Stevens on my behalf, too. If not for you all, I couldn’t have found my grandma.” “I’m your husband. You don’t have to thank me.” Even though it was a shotgun marriage without the foundation of love, as her husband, Matthew had the responsibility to protect and help his wife. Still, Matthew’s voice was cool. He always had a cold expression on his face and gave off the impression that he was standoffish. But after staying with him over the past few days, Maeve knew he had a heart of gold under his emotionless face. “Where are you now?” asked Matthew. “I’m in Paxton Hospital. I brought my grandma here for a checkup.” “Okay. I heard that your grandmother has been staying somewhere near Hillman Hotel for the past three years. She earned her living by collecting garbage and receiving alms from others. It is indeed necessary for her to have a thorough examination. Don’t worry about money issues. If you don’t have enough money, just swipe my card.” Maeve wondered. “Hillman Hotel?” She was puzzled. It was the hotel where she had her wedding ceremony with Ron. Her grandmother had been staying somewhere near the hotel. Maeve supposed her grandmother had really wanted to attend her wedding. “When will your grandmother finish her examination? I can leave work early today and pick you both up from the hospital.” Matthew’s words interrupted Maeve’s train of thoughts. She recovered her senses and replied to him, “She’s almost done with her examination.” “Okay. I’ll depart from my company now. Wait for me.” Although Matthew sounded indifferent, Maeve felt an inexplicable sense of security. Matthew hung up and changed into cheaper clothes. After that, he drove the second-hand Volkswagen to Paxton Hospital. He went to the second floor and saw Maeve helping her grandmother walk over to him. Matthew strode over to them and asked, “Has she finished her examination?” “Yes.” Maeve looked grim. “What did the doctor say about her condition?” asked Matthew. “She has mental health issues. The doctor has prescribed medicine for her.” Maeve supported Agatha and turned to look at Matthew beside her. “I don’t have enough cash, so I swiped your card. I’ll return the money to you after I receive my pay next month.” “No need. We’re husband and wife. We’re supposed to share our income and property after getting married, so paying me back makes no difference at all,” said Matthew coolly. “If you don’t have enough money to spend, tell me and I’ll ask for my salary in advance from the company.”