A Replacement Bride

Chapter 169

Jennifer sighed as she looked at Katherine's strange expression. "Kathy, I know you're haunted by a trauma. If you refuse to tell me what happened, I will not insist on knowing, but I really hope you can let go of the past and live in the present. Johdy is a nice guy, and I can tell that he is interested in you. I hope that I can witness your happiness before I die."

"Grandma, I..." Katherine opened her mouth, but she didn't know what to say to Jennifer about the incident.

Katherine would break out in cold sweat in the middle of the night every time she remembered that night five years ago. It was impossible for her to forget what had happened and the trauma it had caused her.

That was especially so when a man went near her. Every time that happened, she could feel the trauma attacking her intensely.

Until now, she had no idea who that man five years ago was, but she could clearly remember the agony she felt at that instant.

Katherine did not want to continue on this any further. With her eyes closed, she turned around and asked, "Why isn't Noah up yet? Please check on her, Grandma."

When Jennifer saw Katherine's silhouette from behind, she knew that no matter how much she said, it would all be for naught. As a result, she sighed and proceeded to check on Noah.

Katherine, on the other hand, continued to prepare the breakfast absentmindedly.

Just as she finished beating the egg, she heard Jennifer's scream from Noah's room. "Noah? What happened to you? Don't scare me!"

Katherine's heart immediately sank when she heard that. She quickly turned off the stove, ignoring the egg in the pan, and rushed to Noah's room.

Joaquin was much faster than her. He was already in Noah's room when she reached. Quickly, he carried Noah, who was foaming at her mouth, and laid her on the floor.

Katherine immediately went up and took Noah's pulse, her expression awful.

"What happened to Noah, Kathy? Tell me what happened to her!" Jennifer grabbed Katherine's hands and asked with tears in her eyes.

Katherine couldn't bear to look at Jennifer. "Did she take the medicine I gave her, Grandma? Why did her illness suddenly act up?"

"Medicine? Oh, medicine… Previously, one bottle of it was lost in the house. I wanted to tell you but it slipped my mind. I suppose Noah didn't tell you as well, worrying that it would bother you. Oh no, what will happen to her? Nothing serious will happen, right?" Jennifer was so anxious that she started speaking incoherently.

Joaquin's heart ached as he looked at the young child lying lifelessly on the floor with her face pale. "What is Noah suffering from?"

"A genetic condition. What did the doctor say again?" Jennifer did not remember the long name of the disease and looked at Katherine.

Katherine, on the other hand, did not reply and fixed her gaze on Noah's pale face. After a while, she stood up and said, "Nothing serious for the time being. Go out first; I need to do some acupuncture on

her."

Joaquin noticed Katherine's eerie expression. However, since she was unwilling to say anything, he did not pursue further and left the room with Jennifer.

After they left the room, Jennifer raised her hand to wipe her tears. Feeling sorry for Katherine, she said, "Noah has a difficult life. She was born with a sickly body. Kathy didn't notice it at first as she assumed Noah was just weak because she was born prematurely, but it was later discovered that she has a genetic condition. According to Kathy, Noah has had the condition since she was in Kathy's womb, and her body has a deficiency in producing blood. She's an abnormal child. Kathy was alone at the time, and she was a child herself. How would she know how to look after Noah?"

Joaquin noticed her sadness and patted her on the back. "Do you have any idea who Noah's father is, Grandma?"

"I've no idea. Kathy flatly refused to tell me, but it appears that she hates him a lot. She will most probably kill him when she sees him again." Jennifer shook her head and became agitated at the mention of that irresponsible man. "So what if we know about him? He has never looked for Kathy for so many years and is undoubtedly an irresponsible jerk. Kathy would not have suffered as much with Noah if he had been concerned about her in the past." Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

When Joqauin heard Jennifer's words, his eyes twitched for unknown reasons. "What past is past, Grandma. The future will be better. I will take good care of Kathy and Noah."

She patted the back of his palm in response. "It's good to have you around. Please take good care of both of them. If you could have a child with Kathy as soon as possible, she could then suffer less," she said sentimentally.

"Why?" He did not understand what she meant.

"Previously, Kathy told me that Noah could be saved by having a bone marrow transplant, or by using the cord blood of her siblings. But Noah has a rare blood type and Kathy could not find any suitable bone marrow despite extensive searching. That is why Noah could not be treated until now. Noah usually takes the medicine given by Kathy to control the illness, but I believe the medicine ran out and her illness is acting up today," Jennifer solemnly explained.

Hearing that, Joaquin seemed to be in deep thoughts and did not respond.

After half an hour, Katherine walked out from Noah's room.

She was sweating profusely and appeared to have depleted all of her energy. Then, she went straight to her room and within minutes, the sound of running water resonated.

Jennifer was worried about Noah and pulled Joaquin into the child's room with her.

Noah was not awake yet, but her face looked better than earlier.

Jennifer quickly approached Noah and stroked her face. "I'm so happy that you're fine. As long as you're fine, I am more than willing to give up years of my life."

"Noah is fine, and you will be fine as well, Grandma." Joaquin held Jennifer's shoulder and comforted her.

She smiled at him in response. "I've lived long enough. In fact, I should have left with my husband when he died. If it weren't for the fact that I'm still worried about Katherine, I would be gone by now. You don't have to console me."

Meanwhile, Katherine called Aberama as soon as she got out of the shower. "You said there is a new batch of imported advanced medical equipment, right? Send me a blood analyzer."

"Blood analyzer? Why do you want that?" Aberama was curious.

To that, Katherine impatiently replied, "Don't ask so much. Just send one to me."

"Okay. I'll have it delivered to you this afternoon." Aberama sensed Katherine's bad mood and didn't dare to annoy her any further.

Katherine then exited the room after the conversation ended.

Joaquin and Jennifer were having their breakfast. Katherine joined them, but she had no appetite and put down her utensils after only a few bites.