Chapter 6 Ch6 - Blame onto her

Three and a half years ago, Grandma Ruth had undergone major heart surgery. Her right coronary artery had been completely blocked-her complexion so pale she looked like she'd lost all her blood.

Emily had been shaking all over, terrified she wouldn't get the chance to repay the woman who raised her... terrified Grandma wouldn't live long enough to enjoy any peace or happiness.

The doctors had initially said she might need open-heart surgery-a huge risk. But the moment Aaron found out, he stepped in without hesitation. He had her transferred to a private hospital and brought in a top international cardiac specialist.

Instead of traditional surgery, they opted for a minimally invasive catheter procedure using imported stents. Three were placed in total, and it saved her life.

Three years after that procedure-just six months ago-her stents had started narrowing again due to tissue buildup. She'd begun experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, and extreme fatigue. Aaron immediately arranged for her to be hospitalized for observation... and she'd been there ever since.

Her room was huge-more like a suite than a hospital room. It had a living room, dining space, private bathroom, and even a companion bed. It looked nothing like a typical ward.

Even though Ruth could move around just fine on her own, Aaron had still hired two caregivers to rotate 24/7. Emily had never seen the bills, but she didn't need to-they had to be astronomical.

She softened her expression and forced a smile before stepping inside. Aaron still had his arm around her shoulder as they walked in together. The bed was empty, so they naturally headed toward the lounge area.

The curtains were drawn, and the midday sun was pouring in.

"Granny!" Emily called out.

Ruth, who had been sitting with her back to them, turned around, her eyes crinkling into a smile. "Oh, you're here." She reached out to pull Emily over.

She'd just finished lunch and was relaxing on the couch while the caregiver tidied up. Aaron followed behind and greeted her as well, settling into the armchair across from them.

"Good, good," Ruth said warmly, her gaze shifting from him back to Emily. "Last time you said you weren't feeling well-how are you now?"

She was referring to Emily's visit last week.

A flicker of discomfort passed through Emily's eyes, "I'm fine now, just a bit dizzy that day. Nothing serious."

She quickly changed the subject. "Enough about me. What did the doctor say about you?"

"Same as usual," Ruth replied with a sigh. "Honestly, I could've been discharged ages ago. This place is starting to feel more like a retirement home."

She still wasn't used to being watched 24/7-it felt excessive. But at Aaron's insistence, and because Emily had been worried, she'd reluctantly agreed to stay.

"Are you feeling bored staying here?" Emily asked. "If the doctor says it's okay..."

"If you're feeling cooped up, we can bring you books or something to keep you busy," Aaron chimed in.

Emily looked up at him. He was smiling kindly... but it didn't feel like warmth to her. Not anymore.

"There's not much to do around here," Emily said.

"Granny, remember that mystery novel series you mentioned last time? I bought the whole set-it'll be delivered this afternoon," Aaron said.

Ruth's eyes lit up as she nodded happily.

That was the second time Aaron had interrupted Emily. She frowned slightly, "It doesn't have to be in the hospital. Grandma could read just as easily at home."

Ruth blinked in surprise. "You're the one who always insisted I stay here, and now you're siding with me?"

"You mentioned wanting to see your old friends, remember? And you're doing fine physically. As long as you're careful, I don't see why not," Emily explained.

She'd thought a lot about it last night...

Before Ruth could respond, Aaron stood up and walked over to Emily, "Granny wants to go out and you're just letting her? She's got the best doctors looking after her here."

If it were before, Emily would've thought her husband was being thoughtful-caring for her family like his own.

But now?

Now it felt suffocating. Less like concern, and more like control.

She couldn't tell anymore-was she just being overly sensitive lately, or was this something more?

Sensing the shift in mood, Ruth chuckled softly. "I know you both care about me. Honestly, it's not so bad here. Look..."

She reached into a basket beside her and pulled out a ball of yarn, "I've gotten back into knitting."

She held up a half-finished vest and held it against Emily, measuring, "Not sure I'll finish this before the weather warms up."

Emily forced a smile. She didn't want to start a fight in front of her grandma, "If you're the one knitting it, I'll wear it no matter the season."

She stayed with grandma for another two hours. When Ruth said she was ready for her afternoon nap, Emily finally got up to leave.

Aaron had stayed by her side the entire time-which meant she still hadn't gotten the chance to speak to her grandma alone.

Outside the hospital, just as Emily was about to get back into the same car, Aaron reached for her arm.

"Em," he said, "I know you weren't thrilled with what I said in there, but you know I'm only doing this for your grandma's sake."

Emily closed her eyes for a moment, "I didn't argue with you in front of her because I didn't want to upset her... but you do know she could've been discharged ages ago, right?"

"The doctor never said she couldn't leave," Aaron replied, "but isn't it better having someone look after her around the clock? And this place is close to home."

Nothing he said was exactly wrong-and that made it harder for Emily to fight back. She knew taking back control over her life wouldn't happen overnight.

The Aaron she used to know-the one she trusted without question-was now using that very love and care like a leash around her neck.

"Forget it," she exhaled. "I don't wanna fight with you. You'd win anyway. You've got power, money... in the end, you always get to decide."

"Emily," his tone tightened, "do you HAVE TO talk like that?"

"If you really care about us," she said quietly, "then stop making all the decisions on your own."

"CAN you stop being unreasonable for once?" he snapped. "I've been crazy busy lately, but I still made time to be here-for you, and for her."

"Unreasonable?" Emily let out a short, bitter laugh. "I never asked you to come. But tell me-why wouldn't the nurses let me in unless you showed up first?"

Why, after just a few days, did it feel like even her movements were being monitored?

She stepped closer, voice low but sharp.

"Aaron, do you think just because I haven't worked these past three years, I've gone STUPID? Or is it that you really think I'm that naive-easy to lie to?"

Aaron paused, caught off guard by her sudden confrontation.

"I've never thought that," he said, his voice tightening. "But your emotions lately... they've been all over the place."

He turned his face away, clearly done with the conversation, "I'll arrange for a therapist to come tomorrow."

Emily took a slow breath, stunned by how neatly he could spin everything. In just a few words, he'd managed to shift all the blame onto her-like everything was just her being "too emotional."

"Well, right now I feel very calm," she said coldly. "I just think you're terrifying."