Judy looked perplexed and shook her head.
She had no recollection of anything from her childhood. She always thought it was because she was a late bloomer and began to remember things much later than others.
Her earliest memories were when she was brought to Tocham by Matthew and lived there ever since.
Lilly tucked Judy's fringe behind her ears, revealing her beautiful features. As if talking to herself, Lilly said, "It's because you've forgotten it. If you could remember it, you wouldn't have come to Tocham with Matthew."
Judy was confused. "Why so? I thought Father brought us here because our old place wasn't safe?"
Judy lived in the mountains with Lilly and her mother as a kid. But her mother passed away in a bushfire. And it was because of this incident that Matthew brought her and Lilly to live in Tocham.
"Of course not! That bastard brought us here because of—" Lilly stopped abruptly.
"Because of what, Grandma?" Judy signed.
Lilly frowned when she talked about the incident. Her eyes clouded with sadness.
Judy tugged Lilly's sleeve. "What's wrong, Grandma?"
Lilly came to her senses and answered, "No, it's nothing." Lilly patted Judy's hand and continued, "My dear Juju, you must live happily.
"We just have to feel no qualms about what we do. Your mother will certainly be your guardian angel."
Judy nodded in reply.
"Oh, by the way, do you still have the box your mother gave you?" Lilly asked.
"Yes." Judy nodded.
"Make sure to keep it safe," Lilly reminded.
"Are you okay?" Dominic quickly moved to support Judy.
Judy shook her head. "I'm okay. Thank you for performing the operation."
"No worries. It's my job as a doctor," Dominic said. "You, however, should go to sleep now. You had been awake for the whole night.
"Mrs. Dean's anesthetic hasn't worn off yet. She won't be awake any soon."
Judy nodded. But she was unable to move her body.
She was tense throughout the whole operation. Now that she was relaxed, she was so exhausted that she couldn't move her legs.
Dominic sympathized with Judy and said, "Here, let me help you."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The substitute bride is a mute