Chapter 184
Although Effie had never told her grandmother the real reason she broke up with Mitchell, the old woman had picked up bits and pieces from the neighborhood gossip.
Most of the folks living nearby were retirees-elderly men and women who loved nothing more than sharing the latest tidbits over coffee or while tending their gardens. Word got around that someone had seen Effie’s boyfriend strolling downtown, hand in hand with another woman. Her grandmother immediately guessed that a third party had come between Effie and Mitchell.
Like her mother Adriana, Effie was someone who couldn’t tolerate even the smallest betrayal.
The next time her grandmother saw Mitchell, her warmth had vanished, replaced by a cool, polite distance.
Mitchell noticed the change. She’d always greeted him with genuine enthusiasm before. He had no idea she’d already weighed everything in her mind and seen through him. She knew Mitchell had never truly respected the Spencer family, not since their fortunes had faded.
In all the years Mitchell and Effie had been together, he’d rarely bothered to visit. The old woman had grown used to it. As the saying goes, people don’t just drop by for no reason-Mitchell clearly had an agenda today.
“Mr. Lloyd, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit to my hospital room?” her grandmother asked, her tone measured.
Mitchell forced an awkward smile. He couldn’t help but notice how different she was now so much less welcoming than before.
“I heard you had a fall, Grandma, so I thought I’d come by to check on you.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you,” she replied, her voice polite but distant. “I appreciate your concern, but at my age, I don’t have much energy for visitors. Perhaps you should go now.”
It was clear-she wanted him gone.
But Mitchell wasn’t ready to give up. He glanced around the room, his eyes lingering on the bathroom door. Maybe Effie was in there? He had so much he wanted to say to her.
“Effie isn’t here, Mr. Lloyd. Please, you should leave,” her grandmother said, her tone still cool but unmistakably dismissive.
Mitchell lingered a moment longer, but not wanting to push his luck, finally turned and left.
Meanwhile, Effie had just walked Lyman out. He’d gotten a call from his assistant -something urgent at the office needed his attention. Though neither of them wanted to part, Lyman had no choice. Before he left, he leaned down and gave Effie a gentle kiss on the forehead, then headed off to his car.
Effie’s heart felt as if someone had spilled a whole jar of honey inside her-she was positively glowing.
She turned to make her way back to her grandmother’s room, only to run into Granger coming down the hallway.
Granger’s face lit up when he saw her. He hurried over, barely containing his excitement. “Effie! What a coincidence, running into you here!”
Effie was momentarily surprised, then remembered that Nita had mentioned Granger had stayed on to work at a hospital in Neo-Arcadia after returning from studying abroad. She’d never asked which hospital-truth be told, she hadn’t cared enough to find out. Effie had never been interested in Granger, so he’d barely registered on her radar.
Still, what a coincidence-he worked here.
She kept her expression neutral. “Yeah, it is.”
“What brings you to the hospital? Are you feeling okay?” Granger asked, his concern obvious.
Effie shook her head. “No, I’m fine. My grandmother had a fall and she’s been admitted.”
Granger’s face grew serious. “Older people aren’t like us—younger folks bounce back, but for them, a fall can be serious. Would you like me to take a look at her?”
Effie was about to refuse, but then thought better of it. Granger was an excellent doctor, after all-it couldn’t hurt. She nodded her agreement.
The two of them started down the corridor together, just as a familiar figure approached from the other end…