My Wife is a Sassy Queen

Jonathan, Liliana, Nathaniel, and Joyanna sat in the garden waiting for the old lady Smith.

The entire household was abuzz. The butler had informed all the servants to be on their best behavior as they would receive the heirs of the Smith family for the first time.

They waited on the family of four on hand and foot.

The butler escorted Emma Miller-Smith to the garden. Her health had started failing recently, and it affected her mobility.

But she wanted to ensure the younger generations knew she was the head and in charge.

She sat down on the couch and looked at them.

Liliana was mindful of her courtesies. She went to the old lady and knelt before her, showing her respect.

She passed her a wrapped gift box and muttered.

“Grandma, please accept my greetings. I am sorry for not paying you respect for all these years.”

The old madam did not dare to make things difficult for her. Jonathan had warned her that any future visits would depend on her performance.

As such, she helped her up and asked her to sit beside her.

“No need for such courtesy. We are a family. I am sure you had your reasons for staying away all these years. I am not unaware of your difficulties. Let the past be where it belongs.”

Liliana smiled at her genially, “Thank you, Grandma!”

She turned to her kids and instructed, “Li, Jo – come here. Meet your great-grandmother.”

The kids sensibly went forward and knelt just like Liliana had done.

“Grandma, these are your great-grandchildren. Nathaniel Petrova Smith and Joyanna Petrova Smith – Li and Jo. Li is older by 15 minutes.”

Nathaniel bowed and replied, “Hello, great-grandmother.”

Joyanna was excited, “Hello, great-grandma. I am Jo. I am mommy’s little bundle of joy. I will love you from now on.”

Old lady Smith teared up.

She wasn’t entirely unfeeling. Circumstances had forced her to be ruthless and audacious because of her husband’s untimely death and her only son’s indifference.

In the last few years, she had lived alone in solitude. None of her off-spings would call or visit her unless necessary.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

She was respected and revered, even feared, but not loved.

Seeing her great-grandchildren and hearing Jo’s sweet words make her feel equally happy and depressed.

She wondered if she would ever get the chance to enjoy familial bliss before departing the world. She did not have that long to live. Maybe a few more years filled with sickness and loneliness.

Maybe she would get the divine opportunity to get some warmth after all.

She hugged the two kids and did not speak. She was afraid she would choke.

She spoke after she had gained some composure, “I am so glad to meet you – Li, Jo. I am sorry. Great-grandma should have visited you when you were babies.”

Joyanna kissed the old woman’s cheeks, “It’s okay, great-grandma. Let’s play together from now on.”

Liliana left the two kids to sit with the old Madam Smith and went to Jonathan.

He was stunned. He had never known his grandmother was capable of emotions. He was still debating whether she was acting or if she was indeed a human.

Liliana held his hands and interlaced their fingers.

“The kids know what they are doing. Let’s move on. From your past and mine.”

She whispered.

Jonathan looked at her and smiled.

Yeah, they should move on.

There was no need to wallow in self-pity and self-blame.

If his grandmother wanted to nurture a relationship with their kids, so be it.

They will anyway protect and guide the kids well. They could spend some time with the old Madam Smith now and then.

If his parents ever came back, he did not think it was likely, but if they did, they would cross that bridge when they got there.

The Smiths simply did not love him or care for him as a person. Otherwise, they weren’t a risk like the Aprices.

They did not need to separate the kids from them. At least they could give the relationship a fighting chance.

The old madam had prepared gifts for everyone.

She presented a family heirloom to Liliana and some trinkets and toys to the kids.

Jonathan felt like the old one out. But he kept to himself.

The old madam had prepared their rooms for them, and they spent the weekend with her.