Shocked and startled by the sudden movement and words, it took a moment for Aiden Hawk to react. But then, his hands immediately caught her arms, ready to push her away.
" Let go," he ordered.
Serena grinned and held on tighter, putting all her energy into keeping a hold on this man. "No."
Aiden narrowed his eyes as he tried to make the woman let go of him. She was sticking to him like an octopus! "For someone who's been in a coma for a year, you have a surprisingly strong grip."
Impossibly, her grin widened even further, as she raised her head and looked up at him, declaring, "Husband! I clung to life just like this so that I could return to you. How can I let you go now?"
From the corner of her eyes, Serena watched the older couple quietly slithered out and a light entered her eyes. She would take care of them later. They wanted to kill her, huh? She would show them what killing meant! After, she'd secured future. Turning her face up to him again, she changed her tactics and looked at him with pleading eyes and spoke lightly," Please, don't give me back to them. I'll agree to a divorce if you want, but..."
Aiden looked at her consideringly then. What kind of a schemer was this woman? One minute she was arguing and clinging to him, and the next she was batting her eyelashes at him and pleading.
But he paused as he considered her offer. He needed the woman to sign the divorce papers.As for getting his money back, he had other ways.But there was no way he could trust her.
Before he could come to a decision, however, the door to the room swung open once again, and an older woman marched inside with an air of authority. "I want to see my granddaughter-in-law!" she declared, her voice echoing through the room as she tapped her walking stick against the floor, as if making a point.
Aiden Hawk stiffened at the sound as his head whipped around," Grandmother! What are you doing here?"
The older woman smiled as she looked at the girl in her grandson's arms and answered his question with a question of his own," Is that my granddaughter-in-law?" She clapped,"You must be so happy now, Aiden. Reunited with your love! I've been wanting to meet her for so long… "
"Grandma, she needs rest..." Aiden tried to wriggle out of her embrace but Serena had quickly caught on. His grandmother thought that he loved her? But she had never even met him before today! Good, grandmother could be an ally...
Hurriedly, she pinched herself as she let go of the man and sat back down on the bed," Grandmother, I am your ill-fated granddaughter-in-law."
Aiden's eyes widened as he watched the girl start crying. Did she have taps fitted in her eyes? Crying at the drop of a hat? Did she really think that she could fool his grandmother with fake tears?
However, unexpectedly, Aiden watched as his grandmother, known for being terrifying, softened and hurriedly hugged the girl," Oh, my dear. You've been through so much. Don't worry, you're with us now! We'll take care of you."
The girl sniffled, somehow managing to look even more cute and vulnerable as she cried some more, "Grandmother...I'm so happy to be back with my husband! But he..."
Aiden cursed! Dar* it! The girl was going to expose him. He couldn't let that happen. Quickly, he intervened," Grandma, Serena has just woken up. She needs her rest."
"Serena? Is that my name?" Serena asked in wonder, causing the older woman and Aiden to look at her incredulously.
"What do you mean? You do not know your name?"
Serena looked down and shook her head," I don't. I don't remember anything. I just woke up and recognised him as my husband. Other than that,I know nothing else...." And the waterworks started again.
Aiden, caught between disbelief and irritation, sighed. He needed to be careful with this one. "Grandmother," he began, trying to regain control of the situation, "we still have a lot to discuss."
But Grandmother wasn't listening. She was too busy fussing over Serena, who was milking the situation for all it was worth. "Nonsense, Aiden. There's plenty of time for discussions later. Right now, what matters is that Serena is awake and with us. We need to focus on her recovery."
Serena shot Aiden a quick, triumphant glance before returning her gaze to Grandmother. "I'll do everything I can to get better, Grandmother. I just need some time and my husband."
Grandmother nodded approvingly. "And you'll get it, my dear. Aiden, see to it that Serena has everything she needs. We want her to feel at home."
Aiden clenched his jaw but nodded. "Of course, Grandmother."
But Serena shook her head vehemently, "I cannot do that, grandmother. I...I've been as good as dead for a year and he must have found someone else. He's so handsome, caring and loving. Which woman could have resisted him? I... I don't want to burden him. He should be happy..."
Aiden's jaw tightened as he watched Serena skillfully played his grandmother. This woman was a master manipulator, and he needed to stay one step ahead. He took a deep breath, trying to remain calm.
"Nonsense, Serena," Grandmother said firmly, her eyes softening as she looked at Serena. "Aiden has been waiting for you. He hasn't moved on, have you, Aiden?"
Aiden opened his mouth to respond, but Serena beat him to it in a voice trembling with emotion. "I can't remember anything, not even my name until you said it. How can I expect Aiden to take care of me like this? No no... grandmother..."
Grandmother's expression turned fierce. "You are family, Serena. We take care of our own. Aiden, you will ensure Serena gets everything she needs. In fact, once Serena is discharged, bring her to the family home! I've been living there all alone. Once you and Serena are there, I'll also be satisfied..."
For the first time, he sensed a genuine expression on the girl's face, as she hugged his grandmother while whispering, "Thank you, Grandmother. I promise to be a good granddaughter."
But then, she leaned in and kissed his Grandmother gently on the cheek while her eyes flicked to his briefly, with a triumphant glint.