Chapter 20
Every time Irene asked Ruth to stay and live with her, Ruth would just smile and brush it off.
This time was no
different.
“Rini, it means a lot that you want me here,” she said warmly. “But I’m still healthy, and I’ve gotten used to life in the countryside.
“When I can’t manage on my own anymore, I’ll come live with you–how about that?”
Irene had just launched her own studio and was in the middle of building her career. If Ruth moved to the city now, Ruth feared she’d just become an extra burden.
Hearing this, Irene felt a pang of helplessness.
Then, out of nowhere, Valerie dropped a bombshell. “Grandma, did you know I fainted during my morning jog yesterday?”
Ruth’s face instantly changed. She grabbed Irene’s hand, alarmed. “You fainted? What happened?”
Valerie jumped in to explain. “The doctor said she’s anemic. Also, her hormones are off, and she has cold womb syndrome- might even struggle with infertility.”
She didn’t stop there. “The Barnes family is huge, practically royalty. If Irene can’t have kids, do you really think Dorian will stay with her?”
“Grandma, you’re a doctor too. You should stick around and make sure she takes her medicine and gets better.”
Irene was speechless.
She was just about to tell Valerie to stop exaggerating when Ruth cut her off. Tm staying. I’ll take care of Rini.”
Irene bit her tongue. That was surprisingly easy.
Ruth held her hand, heart aching. “You were born premature, but you were raised on fresh milk and grew up strong.”
“If Valerie hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known you had anemia and cold womb. Tell me the truth–have you been skipping meals these past few years?”
Not wanting to worry her, Irene mumbled, “It’s just a little anemia
Ruth fell silent.
In name, Irene was the daughter of the Jackson family in Eldraeth City.
In reality, her father barely acknowledged her, and her mother wasn’t much better. She’d always been distant from the rest of the family.
No one really cared. No one looked out for her. Add a demanding job and long hours, and poor nutrition was inevitable. Honestly, it was a miracle she wasn’t worse off
Ruth’s heart broke. She made up her mind then and there.
‘T’ll head back to the village tomorrow, ask Leo to look after the fields and animals, and then I’m coming straight back here to stay with you”
Irene leaned on Ruth’s shoulder, voice soft and playful. “You’re the best, Grandma.”
Ruth smiled. “Rini, anemia and cold womb aren’t serious. I’ll put together some herbal remedies and make sure you drink them every day. You’ll be fine.”
She had grown up in Abrotei City, but as a teenager, she had followed her father to the countryside.
Her father had been a traditional medicine doctor. Even after relocating to the village, he continued practicing. Growing up at his side, Ruth picked up a lot.
Chapter 201
After he passed away, she stepped into his role and became the village doctor.
Later, when the government required all doctors to be officially licensed, Ruth–lacking certification–had to close her clinic and become a full–time farmer.
Farming didn’t pay much. A year’s worth of work barely covered expenses for her and Irene.
In her free time, she’d hike deep into the mountains to gather herbs and sell them to make extra money.
The money that paid for Irene’s schooling? Every cent had been painstakingly saved by Ruth.
She didn’t have a license, but that didn’t mean she lacked real skill. Even now, villagers would come to her in secret when they- were sick or in pain.
And when it came to treating mild issues like anemia and cold womb? Ruth was an old hand.
“Rini, don’t you worry. This kind of thing doesn’t affect your ability to have kids. She paused, then added more firmly, “And if Dorian really would leave you over something like this, then let him go.”
“A woman’s worth isn’t defined by a man–or by marriage.” She knew that truth all too well, having lived through betrayal and heartache herself.
Valerie gave her a big thumbs–up. “You’re so right, Grandma.
Irene laughed too. “It’s not like I have to marry Dorian. But… I really do want a child of my own.”
These days, a lot of young people were indifferent about having kids–but not Irene. She loved children.
She could live without a man. But a child? That was non–negotiable.
