A Replacement Bride

Chapter 163

Once he left Jennifer's room, Joaquin lowered his gaze and studied the chest in his hands. It was a hand-carved chest made from the finest rosewood, which gave off a faint scent. There was a lock on the chest, but he didn't see the key, which he guessed Jennifer had already passed to Katherine sometime earlier.

After that, he left for home with the chest. Thinking for a moment, he sent Katherine a message on WhatsApp to remind her about paying attention to Jennifer.

At first, she was surprised to receive such a message from him. Then, she went straight to Jennifer's room and knocked on the door.

The room remained silent as no answer came from behind the door. She waited for a while before she pushed the door open and went inside.

Jennifer was sleeping on the bed with rhythmic breathing. Walking over, she sat on the bed and took the elder woman's pulse on her wrist. She had made sure Jennifer was only undergoing the normal aging process and wasn't suffering from various diseases. Then, she put her grandmother's hand down, tucked the woman under the blanket with gentle movements, and left the bedroom.

As she began to walk away from Jennifer's bedroom, she recalled Joaquin saying Zachary was fond of oil paintings, so she took a turn and went to Noah's room.

Noah had always kept her room clean and tidy as her things were organized in their designated place according to her preference, and no dust could be found on every surface.

Noah's face bloomed with happiness when she saw Katherine. Sitting at the place where she was, her eyes never left the older woman as she softly addressed, "Mom."

Even though she had a delicate and adorable face, Katherine could never completely accept her identity. Pursing her lips, Katherine stood there for a moment before she managed to speak her request. "Can I have some of your drawings?"

"Sure." Noah cheerfully did as told as she turned away to look for them.

Noah loved to draw. During her free time, she would stay in her room to draw instead of going out. She was immersed in the world exclusive to herself, resisting the idea of the outside world reaching her.

Looking at the little silhouette of Noah, Katherine couldn't help but sigh.

Noah pulled the drawer out and came back with a pile of her works. Standing in hesitation, she began meekly, "Mom, which one do you like?"

Katherine stretched out her hands and took the drawings from Noah.

to go against the idea of her having Noah as her daughter. On usual days, she would avoid the girl as best as she could.

admit that she was the major reason

thoughts, she lowered her head to check out the paintings. Noah was not afraid of combining brilliant colors in her works and the powerful colors together brought out her rich and colorful spirit world. One could easily tell that the artist

she was. After she had scanned through the remaining works, she began to see Noah

in silence for a long time, she crouched before the girl

she was busy taking care of both Jennifer's illness and her own academics, she never had the scope to think of other matters, not even the condition of her pregnant

to learn to be a mother. Can I have your help?" The girl with a pair of crystal clear eyes had touched

her hand toward Noah while using a gentle tone for the first time to talk

mother for a while before she cautiously placed her hand in Katherine's outstretched hand.

to go out, and I'll come along with you." Katherine pressed her lips into a thin line as she struggled before she finally spoke

Noah immediately nodded her head in

the contagious smile on Noah's face, Katherine couldn't help

like opening up isn't as hard

left the room. After she went back to her room, she began to recall the feelings when Noah called her "Mom" and reached out a hand to hold her. She had never experienced such an amazing feeling and she couldn't help

the paintings. Then, she designed a frame for each of them by herself and packed them in the present box. As another idea came to her, she chose another small bottle of pills and sighed in relief as she finished

and found Noah sitting in the living room,

looked healthy. Even though Noah didn't speak much, she replied to Jennifer every time the elder woman talked to her. Their interaction was

watching the pair for a

her a shy look as her eyes sparkled in

she only cleared her throat after a long silence

nodded her head happily at the compliment as if she just had

minor thing, Katherine

paid too little attention to