Chapter 2
That afternoon, I was in our homeroom teacher's office.
Our homeroom teacher gently patted my hand and sighed. "The final results are in. You're ranked in the top 18, so you basically secure a spot at the top college.
"I know what you've been through. Just give it your all and don't overthink it.
"Relax. I won't let this minor hiccup change how I see you."
When I heard her words, a bittersweet feeling welled up inside me.
She gently touched my cold hand, and her eyes were full of tenderness as she looked at me.
In my previous life, she was the only one who visited my grave after my death.
When she learned that I was buried as a dead man's wife, she argued on my behalf for ages.
But in the end, it was all in vain.
I suddenly stood up and threw myself into her arms. "Ms. Thompson, thank you."
My tears soaked her shirt, but she just patted my head and chuckled softly. "Silly girl."
I swore to myself that one day, when I made something of myself, I'd make sure to repay her kindness.
*****
"Grandma, don't be upset. Emily just doesn't know how good she has it," William said.
"Yeah, Mom, don't cry. You'll make yourself sick," my dad added.
"That brat! When she gets back, I'll give her a piece of my mind. Don't cry," my mom said.
As soon as I reached the front door, I could hear my family inside, their voices raised in anger.
I pushed the door open, and my grandma spotted me. Feeling wronged, she crumpled onto the couch in tears.
My dad sat there sipping his coffee without saying a word.
William threw a cactus at my face, leaving a scratch that stung but wasn't too bad.
My mom immediately jumped up and pulled me by the ear. "You little brat, you've got some nerve. How dare you insult your grandma?"
William glared at me, clearly annoyed. "Emily, that's just cruel. Grandma almost jumped to her death because of you. Don't you have a conscience? How could you say that to her?"
My dad, spitting out the coffee grounds, looked at me with disappointment. "Remember when you were a kid and had the cilantro allergy?
"Your mom and I weren't home, and it was pouring outside. Grandma carried you on her back and trekked miles and miles to get you to the hospital.
"Yeah, maybe she doesn't think the way you do, but she proves her love with actions, not words.
"She works so hard and never expects anything back. All she wants is to see you happy. I'm really disappointed in you." My dad let out a heavy sigh.
When he said that, my anger just burned hotter inside.
I had been allergic to cilantro since my childhood.
Grandma knew about it. But she always thought I was just pretending.
That day, my parents were both working late at their jobs.
Grandma took the chance and cooked up three dishes, each packed with cilantro. She forced me to eat them even though I refused.
When things went south, she flagged down a cab and rushed me to the hospital.
But when my parents finally arrived, she claimed I was greedy and had sneaked some raw cilantro.
No matter how much I tried to explain, my parents just wouldn't listen.
Even Grandma's friends chimed in, telling my parents how wonderful Grandma was to me.
They even bragged to my parents that she had walked all the way to the hospital with me on her back.
After hearing that, my parents trusted me much less.
*****
"I just got flustered because I care about her. Don't blame Emily. It's all because I'm so foolish. I can't do anything right," Grandma said.
She pursed her lips and lowered her head, looking all weak and delicate.
"Emily, just look at what you've done. What's wrong with you? How could you say that to Grandma? She's always been so good to you," William yelled, his anger boiling over.
Dad stayed silent, his expression grim.
Mom gritted her teeth, shot me a sharp look, and went over to soothe Grandma.
I forced myself to calm down, pushing my anger aside.
I dropped my backpack, lowered my head, and obediently admitted my mistake. "Grandma, I'm sorry. I know I was wrong.
"I know everything you do is for me. I promise I won't make the same mistake again."
As soon as I finished speaking, Grandma's expression froze.
She cleared her throat and said with a serious tone, "Emily, I love you too much, and that's why I act this way.
"You didn't make any mistakes. It's me. I was the one being stubborn and unreasonable. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have acted like that."
She lowered her head again. But there was a triumphant glint in her eyes.
William curled his lip and sneered, "Quit pretending.
"Just go away. Stop breaking Grandma's heart."