A Replacement Bride

Chapter 343

Joaquin could see how much Katherine blamed herself and he squeezed her fingers. "Don't think too much about that. It's already in the past, plus you didn't want things to turn out this way. You have done your best. Honestly, it's my fault. If I had not mistakenly identified…"

His eyelashes fluttered and he lowered his gaze. "Noah wouldn't have such a repressed childhood."

As the atmosphere became grave, Katherine exhaled and turned her palm to grip his hand, thereafter gently moving it. "That's enough. Is this a confessional? You're right. It's all over now and things are getting better, so let's not mention the past anymore."

Joaquin inclined his head. After some hesitation, he asked, "When are you going to tell her about her grandmother's passing?"

Katherine fell silent at that and she looked slightly reluctant. "I haven't thought about that yet."

He knew why she was so conflicted. "I know that it's difficult. Noah's grandma was her closest relative and I'm worried that Noah cannot accept it as she has just recovered. However, you should know that she is a perceptive child and will suspect that sooner or later after not seeing her grandma for a long time."

Just as he finished speaking, a child's voice came from behind them. "H-Has Grandma passed away?"

The couple turned around to see Noah standing at the entrance of the ward. Her hair was cascading down her shoulders, revealing her pale face. Her sharp gaze was fixed unblinkingly on them while Keith stood behind her, shrugging helplessly and spreading his hands.

Katherine's heart stuttered and her lips moved, but she didn't know what to say.

little girl.

girl bit her lip and slowly shuffled toward

placed her between him and Katherine before kissing her forehead

okay now. I want to hear it,

go so long without coming to see me. Something must

Her voice was gentle when she spoke. "Noah, great-grandma is gone. She couldn't come back and is now buried together with your great-grandfather in Kyoland. I will take you there to visit her when I have the time. I didn't tell you immediately because I was afraid you could not accept it. Besides, your great-grandma wouldn't want you to be sad for her and

throw a tantrum. Instead, she cried silently with her mouth slightly open, voice choked with how much she was holding back

it. I knew it already, Mom. I saw her cloth bag in your luggage when you came back, so I knew something had happened to her since she always carried it about. She has definitely passed away because she was always unwell and suffering from her illness. She was just holding it

on, the tears running down her cheeks a testament to her heartache. "It's good that she has passed as she doesn't have to suffer any longer. She was always thinking about my great-grandpa. They're probably

the girl silently as she gently patted her back. The

and Daddy now…" Noah cried so hard

into her room and cleaned

feeling sad

with a serious expression.

was the one who asked

that Noah was in the