Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 318

"Dawn …" Sandra steadied her arm, unsure how to console her. "Grandma wouldn't want to see you like this. Pull yourself together, alright?"

With Harry there, he handled all the hospital formalities.

What remained now was arranging the funeral and informing the relatives.

Given the situation, Sandra, as the lady of the house, had no space to mourn. There was still a mountain of things to manage.

After bidding Jessica farewell one last time, they returned home. She helped Dawn back into her room.

Dawn hadn't spoken a single word all day, which was unsettling.

"Sweetheart."

Sandra's tone softened, careful not to startle her.

She reached out and brushed a hand over her face. "Grandma was old already, and her health had been declining. Don't take this upon yourself. None of us wished for this to happen.

"But everyone has their own destiny. Maybe it was simply Grandma's time. Leaving this world is just another kind of beginning."

Dawn slowly raised her head. Her eyes were red and swollen.

"But Grandma saved me."

Her voice was shattered, almost unrecognizable. "If not for me, how would Grandma have … "

"In Grandma's heart, you were her babe too," Sandra said firmly. "She only felt peace once she knew you were safe. So let's not torment ourselves. Let her rest easy, alright?"

Dawn stared blankly for a while before she gave a faint nod.

"Then try to get some proper rest. You'll feel a little better once you wake up."

Sandra let out a sigh, guided her to lie down, tucked the blanket over her, and went downstairs.

Perhaps because her mind was empty, Dawn gazed at the ceiling for a few minutes before sleep quietly took her.

She slept deeply. When she woke, the night outside was pitch black.

She turned her head. Someone was sitting beside the bed.

A man sat there in the darkness, his presence calm yet distant. The faint glow around him made it feel like a quiet barrier she couldn't cross. Even his breathing carried restraint.

After a long silence ...

Austin raised his hand.

Though the room was too dark to see, his hand found Dawn's face without hesitation. "Don't think too much. Grandma wouldn't want to see you punishing yourself."

Dawn stiffened. Her voice came out low. "That man … did you find out who he was?"

He didn't respond.

A moment later, he drew his hand back.

"This isn't something you need to worry about," he said quietly. "If it turns out to be intentional, I'll make him answer for it."

For the memorial, the Osbornes only invited close relatives and declined outsiders, keeping everything private.

Sandra chose a black dress for Dawn. After changing, they left together.

No.

He headed to the bedroom first.

Sandra, worried for Dawn, hesitated, but before she could speak, Dawn said softly, "Mom, go get some sleep. I'm alright."

"Alright."

Sandra had been running on fumes for days and truly needed rest.

Still, her daughter …

She gave Dawn's shoulder a reassuring pat. "Sweetheart, life and death are beyond our control. Don't dwell on it too much, okay?"

Dawn nodded. "I know."

Sandra went to her room.

No one knew how long Dawn sat there in the darkened living room. Then footsteps sounded at the door. Austin walked in, weary from travel; his sharp features shadowed and rough, a faint stubble lining his jaw.

He saw her sitting on the couch and frowned slightly. "Why aren't you asleep?"

"Not tired."

Dawn met his gaze. "Did you find anything?"

He paused, as if weighing what to say.

After a brief silence, he loosened his collar and sat beside her. His tone dropped low. "Nothing. He's just a local vendor. Sells breakfast by the subway every morning."