Chapter 1169



With a steadying breath, Belinda turned to Kenia, her expression serious. “Initially, the pain cut so deep I couldn’t fathom it. To think that my own mother and the woman I saw as a close friend could turn against me like that—it was unimaginable. But then, I came to realize something. I’d been naive to believe that just because they mattered to me, I held the same value in their eyes. People, at their core, prioritize themselves. Holley and Sarai simply chose their own interests over me…” Her words dripped with a faint edge of sarcasm as she spoke.

Kenia remained silent, sensing the turmoil beneath Belinda’s composed exterior. She understood that Belinda had lost all faith in Holley and Sarai.

After a long pause, Kenia broke the quiet. “So, you sent Sarai away from Owathe, right?”

Belinda’s gaze dropped again as she gave a small nod. “Yes. I don’t ever want her near me again.”

Without missing a beat, Kenia nodded firmly. “I get it. I support you on this.”

Looking at her grandmother, Belinda said, “Grandma, I want you to come live with me from now on. I’ll look after you, alright? I’ve got work, though, so I won’t always be around. I’ll hire a caregiver to help with meals and keep you company.”

Kenia didn’t hesitate. “Fine by me. Don’t fuss over me—I can manage on my own.”

Truthfully, Kenia’s independent streak made her uneasy about having someone unfamiliar in her space, but she agreed without protest, not wanting to burden Belinda further.

A warm smile spread across Belinda’s face.

That night, the weight of the revelations kept Kenia awake, her mind restless until the early hours. The next morning, Belinda noticed the deep shadows under Kenia’s eyes and her weary demeanor—clear signs of a sleepless night. She had expected this.

With a quiet sigh, Belinda offered Kenia some gentle advice before stepping out of the room and heading toward the Cardiac Surgery Department.

Shortly after Belinda’s departure, Holley entered Kenia’s hospital room. “Mom, what’s wrong? Didn’t you sleep well last night?” Holley asked, her tone laced with worry.

Kenia lifted her tired eyes to meet her daughter’s. She stared at Holley as if she were a stranger.

Holley tilted her head slightly, blinking. “Mom, why are you looking at me like this?”

Kenia’s voice was flat as she replied, “Belinda filled me in on what happened.”

Holley froze for a moment, caught off guard. Her face changed slightly. She hadn’t anticipated Belinda telling Kenia that. Still, a flicker of doubt crossed her mind—perhaps Kenia was just testing her.

Forcing a smile, Holley responded, “Oh, really? What did Belinda tell you?”

Without hesitation, Kenia said, “She told me how you and Sarai schemed together against Lucas.”

At that, Holley’s expression stiffened, her mask of composure slipping away entirely.

Holley stood there, frozen, unsure of what to say. After a long, uneasy pause, she murmured faintly, “Mom, I…”

But before she could gather her thoughts, Kenia interrupted her sharply. “Holley, you’ve let me down deeply.” The color drained from Holley’s face.

Kenia’s voice was devoid of warmth as she continued, “There’s no point in justifying what you did. No explanation will change it. Whatever drove you—whether it was your own motives or someone threatening you—you already chose yourself over Belinda.”

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