Chapter 225 Avoidance

"I missed you," Annie said to Irene. She walked over, gently wrapped her arms around Irene's shoulders from behind, and rested her head in the crook of Irene's neck. This was the only place she could lower her guard and be herself. Irene set down the shears, turned around, and patted Annie's hand. Her cloudy yet sharp eyes swept across Annie's face, and that fleeting trace of fatigue did not escape her gaze. Something was clearly bothering Annie. "What's the matter?" Irene asked in a kind yet probing tone. "Did you fight with Christian?" Annie's heart tightened. She straightened up at once and shook her head with a smile. "No, Grandma. What makes you say that? We're fine, it's just that I've been a little exhausted lately. So, I wanted to come back and stay with you for a few days." Annie didn't want Irene to worry. The latter's health wasn't good, and that meant she couldn't take any shocking news. The kidnapping, the lies, and the schemes were absolutely off limits. Irene wat