Betrayed Spotlight
Chapter 31: Grandma’s Warmth

Chapter 31: Grandma’s Warmth

Sarah slumped into the leather seat of the car, her whole body feeling heavy with sadness. Eli closed the door gently and walked around to the driver’s side. The car was warm and quiet, a complete contrast to the cruelty she had just experienced in her father’s house.

"Where would you like to go, Mrs. Liu?" Eli asked softly, starting the engine.

Sarah opened her mouth to say "home," but the word wouldn’t come out. She didn’t want to go back to Mason’s mansion. She didn’t want to face him right now, she felt ashamed.

"I... I don’t know," she whispered, staring out the window at the darkening sky.

Just then, her phone rang. The number was unknown, but something made her answer it.

"Hello?" Sarah said, her voice shaky.

"Sarah, my dear child! It’s Grandma Liu."

Sarah’s heart lifted slightly at the sound of the elderly woman’s sweet voice. Grandma Liu had always been kind to her.

"Hello, Grandma Liu," Sarah said, trying to make her voice sound stronger than she felt.

"I was just thinking about you, dear. How are you doing? You sound a bit tired."

Sarah closed her eyes. She wanted to tell Grandma everything, but she didn’t want to burden the elderly woman with her problems.

"I’m okay, Grandma. Just... it’s been a long day."

There was a pause on the other end. Grandma Liu was sharp despite her age, and Sarah could tell she wasn’t convinced.

"Sarah, dear, where are you right now?"

"I’m in the car. I just... I just left my father’s house."

"I see." Grandma Liu’s voice became gentler. "And how did that visit go?"

Sarah felt tears starting to form in her eyes again. "Not very well, I’m afraid."

"Oh, my poor child. Listen to me, Sarah. Don’t go home tonight. Come to me instead. Come to the main mansion. I’ll have the staff prepare your favorite tea, and we can talk."

Sarah felt a wave of relief wash over her. Grandma Liu’s mansion had felt like a safe haven, and right now, that was exactly what she needed.

"Are you sure, Grandma? I don’t want to be a bother."

"Nonsense! You could never be a bother. You’re family, dear. Please come. I insist."

Sarah smiled for the first time since leaving her father’s house. "Thank you, Grandma. I’ll be there soon."

"Drive safely, dear. I’ll be waiting for you."

After hanging up, Sarah turned to Eli. "Please take me to the main Liu mansion instead."

"Of course, ma’am," Eli said, changing direction smoothly.

As they drove through the city, Sarah watched the sun set behind the tall buildings. The day had started with such hope - she had wanted to thank Mason properly for saving her. Now she felt like her whole world had crumbled around her because of her family.

The drive to the main Liu mansion took about thirty minutes. As they approached the massive gates, Sarah felt some of her tension ease.

The car pulled up to the main entrance.

As soon as the car stopped, Sarah saw a familiar figure standing at the top of the marble steps. Grandma Liu was waiting for her, just as she had promised.

Even at an old age, Grandma Liu looked elegant and beautiful. She wore a gorgeous silk dress in deep burgundy, with pearl jewelry that had probably been in the family for generations. Her silver hair was styled perfectly, and she stood straight and proud like a queen.

Sarah got out of the car, and immediately felt the bite of the cold evening air. Winter was coming fast, and each day seemed colder than the last.

"Mrs. Liu," said a tall man in a perfect black suit, appearing beside her. This was the head butler of the Liu mansion. He had worked for the family for over twenty years and ran the household like a five-star hotel. "May I take your coat?"

Sarah nodded and let him help her out of her coat. Even this simple gesture reminded her of the wealth and luxury that surrounded the Liu family. Everything was done with precision and care.

"Sarah!" Grandma Liu called out, her arms open wide.

Sarah ran up the steps and fell into Grandma Liu’s embrace. The elderly woman’s arms were strong and warm, and she smelled like expensive perfume and lavender soap.

"There, there, my dear," Grandma Liu said, rubbing Sarah’s back gently. "Whatever happened today, it’s over now. You’re safe here."

Sarah felt tears threatening to fall again, but this time they were tears of gratitude rather than sadness.

"Come inside, dear. It’s getting cold out here," Grandma Liu said, leading Sarah through the enormous front doors.

"Let’s go to the blue sitting room," Grandma Liu said, linking her arm through Sarah’s. "I’ve had Cook prepare some little cakes I love to eat. You’ll love them too."

They walked through several rooms, each one more beautiful than the last. Although Sarah had been here before, she still felt amazed by the luxury.

The blue sitting room was Grandma Liu’s favorite. It was smaller than the other rooms, but still grand, with comfortable sofas covered in silk and a fireplace.

"Sit down, dear," Grandma Liu said, gesturing to a sofa near the fireplace. "Tell me everything."

Sarah sat down and immediately felt the stress of the day begin to fade. The sofa was incredibly comfortable, and the warm fire made her feel safe and protected.

A maid appeared with a silver tea service and plates of tiny cakes and sandwiches. Everything was perfect, from the delicate china cups to the fresh flowers on the tea tray.

"Now then," Grandma Liu said, pouring tea into two cups. "What happened at your father’s house today?"

Sarah took a sip of her tea - it was perfectly prepared, just the way she liked it - and began to tell her story.

She told Grandma Liu everything - about her father’s lies, about Hannah’s cruel words, about how they all planned to use her connection to Mason for their own benefit.

She didn’t mention the kidnapping though. Instead, she lied and said that Mason had made a business deal with her father because her father felt hurt that Mason had married her in secret.

Grandma Liu listened to everything without interrupting. Her face remained calm, but Sarah could see the storm building in her eyes.

When Sarah finished, Grandma Liu was quiet for a long moment. Then she set down her teacup and looked directly at Sarah.

"Do you want me to deal with your father?" she asked in a voice that was sweet but somehow terrifying. "It wouldn’t be hard to accomplish, since he dares to bully my granddaughter-in-law."

Sarah couldn’t help but laugh, despite everything. "No, Grandma. There’s no need for that."

But she had no doubt that Grandma Liu could make her father’s life very difficult if she wanted to. The Liu family had power and influence that reached into every part of the business world.

Grandma Liu studied Sarah’s face carefully. "My dear child, you must not be angry with Mason for making that deal with your father. He did it for your sake. He loves you."

Sarah smiled sadly. That was impossible. Mason didn’t love her. Their marriage was just a contract that would expire after one year.

But what Sarah didn’t know was that Grandma Liu was already feeling the effects of the illness that would take her life before that year was up. That was exactly why Mason had agreed to the marriage contract in the first place - to give his beloved grandmother the joy of seeing him married before she passed away.

Grandma Liu reached over and took Sarah’s hand. "Oh, my dear girl. You don’t see it, do you? The way my grandson looks at you?"

Sarah wanted to believe her, but she had heard Mason’s cold voice that morning. She had seen the way he refused to trust her with the truth.

"I don’t know, Grandma," Sarah said quietly.

Grandma Liu squeezed her hand. "Trust me, dear. I’ve been watching people fall in love for so many years. I know what I’m seeing."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the fire in the fireplace. Sarah felt more peaceful than she had all day.

"You know what we should do?" Grandma Liu said suddenly, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

"What?"

"We should have Mason take you shopping for proper wedding rings tomorrow! And wedding photos too. I want beautiful pictures of you two to hang in my bedroom."

Sarah’s eyes widened. "Grandma, that’s really not necessary..."

"Nonsense! Every proper marriage needs proper rings and photos. I insist!" Grandma Liu was already reaching for her phone. "I’m calling Mason right now."

"Grandma, wait..."

But it was too late. Grandma Liu had already dialed Mason’s number.

"Mason, dear, it’s Grandma," she said when he answered. "I have Sarah here with me, and we’ve been talking. I want you to take her shopping for wedding rings tomorrow. And I want you to have proper wedding photos taken too."

Sarah could hear Mason’s deep voice on the other end of the phone, but she couldn’t make out what he was saying.

"No arguments, young man," Grandma Liu said firmly. "And another thing - Sarah will be staying here tonight instead of your house. She needs some grandmother time."

Sarah smiled despite herself. Grandma Liu had a way of making everything seem possible, even happiness.

"Yes, that’s right. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her," Grandma Liu continued. "You can pick her up tomorrow morning for your shopping trip. And Mason? Be nice to her. She’s had a difficult day."

After hanging up, Grandma Liu turned back to Sarah with a satisfied smile.

"There! All arranged. Tomorrow you’ll have beautiful rings and photos, and tonight you’ll stay here with me. We can have a proper girls’ night."

"Thank you, Grandma. I don’t know what I would do without you."

"You’ll never have to find out, dear," Grandma Liu said, pulling Sarah into another warm hug. "You’re family now. And family takes care of family."

Sarah felt grateful. Maybe her birth family had abandoned her, but she had found something even better - a grandmother who truly cared about her happiness. She made a mental note to visit the cemetery and share it with her mother.

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