Remarriage Failed Again Today

After they went to the old family estate, everyone in the family fussed over her, and Annabelle was deeply touched.

But she ignored Leona Grant, who had taken care of her in the hospital for three days.

Then, after staying at the old estate for another two days, she mentioned that she wanted to go back to their villa.

Seeing that they were getting along much better than before, Patrick Grant gave his approval.

Young people, after all, needed their own space.

As soon as Annabelle returned to the villa, she started packing her things, preparing to move out.

Leona Grant watched as she bustled about. A hint of darkness flickered in his deep eyes before he said flatly, "You can’t leave."

Without even looking up, Annabelle continued packing. "And your reason?"

Leona Grant had known she would try to move out as soon as she got here, so he had already prepared a reason.

He took out his phone and tossed it to Annabelle so she could see the text message. "Ashley said she’s coming to stay for a while," he said, his face devoid of expression. "I don’t want her to know we’re living apart."

Annabelle looked at him indifferently. "And so what if she finds out?"

"We just left the old estate, and you’re already trying to leave. Grandpa’s health hasn’t been good lately. What if word of this gets back to him and the shock is too much?"

Leona Grant was pulling out all the stops.

God only knew how he’d managed to get Ashley to come over, using a combination of coaxing, trickery, and threats.

Ashley was used to having her freedom and hated living with other people, to say nothing of being a third wheel. Leona Grant must have gone to great lengths.

Annabelle’s brow furrowed at his words. "You don’t need to worry about that. Leave it to me. I’ll make sure she keeps her mouth shut."

"Mom’s coming, too."

Annabelle: "..."

Just as they were speaking, Ashley came home from school.

She was carrying a white canvas backpack and still wearing her school uniform, her hair tied in two short pigtails. Brimming with youthful energy, she leaned lazily against the doorframe—the very picture of a beautiful young girl.

Ashley glanced at the suitcase on the bed, then gave Leona Grant a sly smile. "Well, well," she said languidly. "Where are we off to? What, you heard I was coming and decided to make a run for it?"

Annabelle put down the clothes in her hands and also sat languidly on the bed. "That’s right," she said lightly. "Now that you know we can’t stand you, you can see yourself out."

Ashley: "..."

She snorted, then shot Leona Grant a meaningful look and a wicked grin. "Nope, not gonna. After I go, there’s my mom. After my mom goes, there’s my dad. And if all else fails, there’s still Grandpa. Sister-in-law, do you really think you can leave?"

Ashley’s meaning couldn’t have been more obvious: as long as their family was around, Leona Grant would have a reason to keep Annabelle from leaving.

Leona Grant shot Ashley a chilly glance, and she just blinked back at him innocently.

Hearing this, Annabelle knew it was a lost cause. ’I can’t let Grandpa find out we’re getting a divorce and give him a shock, can I?’

’If I really think about it, what’s the point of moving out if I can’t even get a divorce?’

’I’d still have to come running whenever they called, wouldn’t I?’

’I might as well wait a few days for things to die down. Leaving right now isn’t a good idea. If they find out, getting a divorce later will be even harder.’

’Even though I promised Grandpa I wouldn’t get a divorce... people are ultimately selfish. I have to look out for him, but I have to look out for myself, too.’

’Getting a divorce, but keeping it from Grandpa... That’s the best compromise.’

Annabelle casually tossed the clothes aside, stood up, and with a roguish air, slung an arm around Ashley’s neck. She pointed a finger at her and declared, "Five minutes. Get changed. We’re going out to eat. My treat."

Ashley, deliberately trying to stir up trouble, asked, "What about my brother? Should he come with us?"

Leona Grant’s eyes lit up, and he gave Ashley a look that said, ’So you have a brain after all.’ Just as he was about to reluctantly agree, he heard Annabelle roll her eyes elegantly and spit out two cold words: "Dream on."

Leona Grant: "..."