<b>Chapter </b><b>54 </b>


    Seeing Olivia’s reaction, the couple started gathering their things to leave. “No worries, really. We’re not here to trouble you. We just wanted to check in on Olivia. We’ll head out now and just crash somewhere for the night, they said.


    After the couple left, Grace pulled Olivia aside and whispered, “They really don’t look like they’re preteriding. Did you see those calluses and scars? Only folks who work thend get hands like that.”


    She sighed, her eyes softening with sorrow. “They never meant to lose you. I know that wound still festers- being left behind never really heals. But family is family, for better or worse. That bond doesn’t break easily.


    Olivia shook her head, her eyes sharp and troubled. “It’s not that, Grandma Grace. I don’t hold it against them. I just…”


    She just didn’t feel that family bond with them. Her teacher always said her sixth sense was never wrong.


    Grace gently ruffled her hair and sighed deeply. “I know you’re hurting. You don’t have to put on a brave face in front of me.


    “I heard from them that your little brother’s pretty sick back home.” When Olivia remained silent, Grace’s gaze drifted into the distance. “Olivia, why don’t you go back with them and check on things? It’s not far from Magnolia Town.


    “I’ll go with you. Maybe being back there will help you remember something.”


    Olivia lowered her eyes, lost in thought. After a long pause, she said softly, “Alright, I’ll listen to you.” Either way, she was going to get her memories back.


    When Olivia went missing, there wasn’t much to go on–the trail went cold at Magnolia Town. Even the Shadow Syndicate couldn’t dig up anything beyond that. If there was a ce even they couldn’t reach, she had to see it for herself.


    “Good. I’m so d you understand,” Grace whispered, her eyes glistening. “You have a family now–parents who’ll love you unconditionally.”


    Olivia had been tossed around by life for over a decade. She was only eighteen, but sometimes she seemed wiser and more world–weary than people twice her age. There were moments when even Grace couldn’t quite figure her out.


    Back then, when Grace secretly checked out Magnolia Town, she saw Olivia getting abused by her original adopted parents, and they were nning to marry her off for money.


    Grace just couldn’t stand seeing a kid get hurt, so she schemed to get Olivia out of there.


    She had hoped Olivia would find refuge with the Shermans–maybe even a chance at happiness. But those so–called parents turned out to be worse than useless.


    Thinking about it, Grace let out a long sigh. “When they thanked me, I honestly felt ashamed. The Shermans were…” Her voice faded, the unspoken truth hanging heavy between them–in some ways, they were worse than the orphanage ever was.


    <b>20:05 </b>Wed<b>, </b>Sep <b>3 </b>


    “Don’t say that,” Olivia said, a smile shining in her eyes as she clung tightly to Grace’s arin. “You’re my <b>real </b>family”


    Sean, who had juste back from sneaking some fried chicken outside<i>, </i>looked confused by the scene. He wanted to join the hug too, but Olivia kicked him away without hesitation.


    Grace just shook her head with a smile. “These two are always up to some kind of mischief.


    I’ve certainly made my share of mistakes in life. Here in my twilight years, having these two kids by my side is more than I ever dared hope for,‘ she thought.


    “Sean, I’m heading out for a couple of days. You need to watch the house and protect Grandma Grace,” Olivia said, tugging his ear. “And don’t even think about sneaking out for food again.”


    Sean red at her with his big, fierce eyes and huffed. With a sharp, defiant nod, he made his protest perfectly


    clear.


    “No way. You’ve been gone for years. I have to go with you,” Grace said, frowning. “If anything happens, I want to be there to look out for you.”


    <b>AD </b>