Book 2 : Chapter 28

"You don't have to take your mother to your hometown. Her doctor is here, and she's used to the place. And besides, I have changed my mind. I am no longer taking back this place from you," I replied, but I looked away. I chose to ignore his statement about our status and our child.

"Thank you, dear, but we have never lived in your family's house, anyway. Mother only agreed to live close to Sir Thomas if he would sell a parcel of this residential lot to us by installment. And she has papers for that."

I turned pale. That's maybe why the house was at the end of the fence, too far away from the main building. If it were not for the beautiful landscape connecting to the front lawn garden, I would have thought this house did not belong to grandpa's property. I almost got tempted to believe that Sean and his mom were never after my family's wealth, but anger had already seeped into my core. The pain of his betrayal with Calla had dominated my thoughts that I found it so hard to forget.

"About my mother's medical management, Mia is going with us. By the way, she's the one taking care of her for a couple of years already." He turned to look at Mia then back to me.

"Mia, this is Red, my wife," he said, gazing at me, watching for my reaction that I kept unreadable as much as possible.

Mia also gave me a warm smile, and her two dimples showed, making her more attractive. However, she did not look surprised at all. "Happy to meet you, Dr. Red."

I nodded and smiled, waving at her. The words I wanted to reply got stuck in my mouth. She placed a hand on Sean's back, and I pretended not to see it.

"Sean, we really have to go. We only have twenty minutes to reach the airport. And 'nanay' (mother) walks so slow."

Sean looked at me again with a pursed smile, then glanced at Philip. "Take care of her, Philip."

"Yes, sir," Philip replied, giving me a teasing look. Then, Sean turned away with long strides, grabbing Mia by her shoulders.

I watched them until they stepped inside the car as another pang of pain crept into my heart. If I had to compare, Calla was no longer a threat because of what she did, but Mia was. She's a simple girl with no diamonds attached to her image, but she could win Sean's heart for the sacrifice she gave to her mother. And seeing them standing close together, looking perfect for each other, tore my heart.

"Doc, do you want to have a tour inside the house?" Philip's voice got back my attention.

I wanted to refuse. All I wished at the moment was to be alone and cry hard. But I should not cry over spilled milk. Sean didn't deserve my tears anymore.

"Okay."

Philip pulled out his phone and talked to someone, instructing to bring the keys.

"Who's that, Philip?"

"The head housekeeper."

I nodded, and my thoughts went back to Mia. "Philip, how long does Sean's mom got her Alzheimer's?"

Philip looked at me sideways before he replied. "I think it was five or six years ago. Mia was already in her second year at med school at that time."

"You know her already at that time?"

"Yes. Mia comes from Kalasag, Sean's hometown. He recommended her as Sir Thomas' private nurse. So when he passed away, Sean assigned her to his mom, who started to get sickly at that time. And because Sean always grants a wish, he also sent her to med school as she requested. She's now a full-fledged physician, Sean's mom, doctor."

I got jealous of it. I, who is the Grey's real granddaughter, suffered humiliation under Eric's provision, while Mia enjoyed her days under Sean. And of course, using the Grey's fortune.

"Mia is a brilliant woman. She's granted a scholarship program offered by the university while Sean maintained her salary. Aside from that, she doesn't spend on her food and lodging because Sean accommodates her."

"What do you mean?"

"Mia is staying with Sean's mother ever since she arrives here in Brisbane."

"I am so jealous that she's benefiting the Grey's fortune," I said, unable to restrain myself anymore.

"No. Sean paid her through his salary."

I protested, it was just too hard to believe. "He now owns everything my grandpa had and all the profit those companies get."

"Yes, but everything goes to Grey's treasury that he never touches except for expansions and new business ventures. He only accepts his salary regularly, and Mia got her payment from Sean's pocket."

"How much Sean gets as his salary?"

"The amount that the Board Directors have decided plus the privileges and incentives based on each company's performance. Ever since the beginning, Sean's mother is against Sean's adoption. She was afraid of the trouble that always comes with having an easy-gained fortune. So Sean remained considering himself as the CEO, and not the principal shareholder of TAG Corporation."

I stared at Philip, gaping, and bewildered at what he said. I got convinced of Sean's greed because of Hazel and him, but why did it sound like he was already defending him? Perhaps, it was because his loyalty to him still prevailed.

The head housekeeper came, interrupting our conversation. So, I got compelled to come out of the car and explore the home of the family I had never met.

"Good morning, Dr. Red," the housekeeper greeted me with a warm smile. Her grey hair and the few wrinkles around her eyes told me she was already in her early fifties.

"Good morning," I replied, smiling. "It looks like you already know me."

"Of course. Sir Sean announced his wife's coming--the daughter of Sir Albert and the heiress of Grey's legacy. He asked me to change the curtains and the sheets, make the floor shine and make the whole house free of dust."

We both laughed while she gestured for me to get inside the living room. It's so huge, and all the furniture looked they were made of carved, antique wood. The sofa set, the coffee and side tables, the media stands, the accent chairs, some wall, and corner decors were made from oak wood in a similar dark brown shade. Only the television set, the computer at one side, and other appliances looked like they were of the latest 2018 design.

I roamed around, followed by the housekeeper, explaining to me everything she knew about specific furniture, where it came from, and how much it costs. Philip chose to remain outside, perhaps, making calls.

"Isn't Sean the heir of Grey's legacy?" I bit my lip, wishing silently for my luck to come and have my questions answered.

"He was, but he transferred it back to you the moment you were found. And we are so happy that finally, Sir Thomas' wish is granted."

"Wish?"

"Yes. The old man made him promise to look for you and bring you home as his wife."

"Did grandpa also change his will after he found out about me?"

The all-knowing housekeeper shook her head. "No. He couldn't back out on his promise to Sean. He had become his beloved grandson, serving and taking care of him like he was his own blood. Aside from that, he had seen how Sean had done something extraordinary to the expansion of his businesses."

And that's maybe why grandfather wanted Sean to make me his wife.

He was right, after all. Why would he entrust his fortune to a granddaughter he never met? What if everything he had worked hard for would only get wasted in my hand? At least, in Sean's care, the fame and pride of being one of the wealthiest businessmen would prevail even in his death. And that's what always matters to every business magnates.