On the screen, Zion Payne leaned on the sofa in a lazy pose, smiling at the camera. The woman beside him adjusted her setup, with loud music playing behind them.
“Grandma,” he said in a laid-back voice, “I’m busy here. I won’t be coming home tonight.”
“The little girl is doing a PK battle; it’ll affect her ranking.”
After he ended, he seemed to recall something and added, “Oh, right, tell my wife she did fine today, didn’t cry. Finally acting like a real Mrs. Payne. She’s thirty now, anyway. Tell her to keep it going.”
The tablet was slammed down on the table.
Grandma Ravenna was shaking with anger, turning to grab my hand tightly. “This heartless kid! Natalie, if you want to cry, then cry. Don’t hold it in. Grandma is here.”
But I handed her a cup of water and softly said, “Grandma, I’m not angry, but I do have something I want to tell you.”
I started slowly, speaking gently, “The year I got into university, my family couldn’t afford the fees. You helped pay for my schooling.”
“I’ve always kept that kindness in mind.”
“So when you asked me to watch over Zion in college, I agreed. The reason I could later be with him was all because you brought us together.”
“I once thought I was really happy, but after five years of marriage, Zion changed into someone else, flirting everywhere. I cried, I argued, but nothing changed. Six months ago, I actually wanted to get a divorce.”
“But at that time, I learned I was pregnant.”
Grandma Ravenna’s hand tightened, as if she didn’t want to hear anything more.
“He acted like a caring father again, and I softened and stayed. But after a few months, he went back to the same habits.”
I lifted my head. My voice was quiet, but steady.
“Grandma, I’m thirty now. I don’t want my child to grow up with a dad like this.”
Grandma Ravenna’s eyes turned red. She pulled me close, patting my back, her voice rough. “If you want to leave, Grandma won’t stop you, but the child…”
“I want to keep the child but remove the father.”
I gently cut in, “The child will still be your great-grandchild, but will have nothing to do with Zion. This is my only wish at thirty, Grandma… can you help me?”
The room stayed quiet for a long while. I thought Ravenna would say no to such an unreasonable request.
But she shut her eyes for a moment, then finally nodded.
“Alright… Grandma will take care of it. Even though I am Zion’s grandmother, in my heart, you are also my granddaughter.”