Chapter 390 Giselle
Elsa's words left Lara deep in thought.
For almost five minutes, Lara's face was somber and distant. Then, she decided to drop the subject of Leslie.
It was only natural to feel sympathy for a woman who looked so much like herself.
Elsa thought this was perfectly reasonable and didn't dwell on it.
Halfway through their meal, Lara's phone buzzed with a WhatsApp video call. She set down her chopsticks, wiped her hands with a napkin, and slowly pulled her phone from her bag.
"Giselle." Lara's face, which had been clouded for a while, brightened up with a warm smile as she answered the call.
"Grandma, did you eat well today?" A gentle, cheerful female voice came from the phone.
Elsa figured this must be Lara's goddaughter, Giselle. The name suited her, delicate and endearing.
"Yes, I did. How are you feeling today, Giselle?" Lara asked, her face now showing the loving kindness befitting a woman in her seventies.
The two chatted for a bit while Elsa sat quietly across from Lara, trying not to make any noise.
"Let me see what you're eating," Giselle said.
Lara flipped the camera to show the dining table.
"Looks good, nice and light. Remember, the doctor said no spicy food. Take care of yourself," Giselle reminded her.
"Got it, my sweet granddaughter," Lara replied, her face lighting up with joy. She then turned the camera back to Elsa.
"Here, let me introduce you to someone. This is my new goddaughter, Elsa."
Lara handed the phone to Elsa, catching her off guard. Elsa quickly put on a smile and greeted, "Hi, I'm Elsa."
Giselle had a delicate, almost fragile appearance, with pale skin and fine features that lacked color.
Elsa thought she was thin, but Giselle looked even more frail, evoking a strong protective instinct.
She noticed Giselle seemed momentarily taken aback as well.
Probably just as surprised as I am, Elsa thought.
"I'm almost twenty-two. How about you?" Elsa asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
"I'm a year older than you," Giselle replied, finally smiling. "Elsa, since you're Grandma's new goddaughter, just call me Giselle. I'm starting chemotherapy this week, so I won't be able to come to Maplewood City until next week. Please take good care of Grandma for me."
The weight of Giselle's words took a moment to sink in for Elsa.
"It's just that my mom and grandma look alike, so we call each other that. It's not an official goddaughter thing. Giselle, how's your health?" Elsa explained briefly to avoid any misunderstandings and then asked about her condition.
Chemotherapy likely meant cancer. Elsa hadn't expected Lara's goddaughter to be battling such a serious illness.
"I've been sickly since I was a child, and last year I was diagnosed with liver cancer," Giselle said with a pale smile. "So, I'm glad Grandma has someone like you to keep her company for the years I can't."
Before Elsa could respond, Lara quickly interjected.
"Giselle, Grandma didn't find someone to replace you. She just really clicked with Elsa!" Lara explained hurriedly, taking the phone back from Elsa.
It made sense for Lara to reassure her long-time goddaughter that she wasn't being replaced by this new "goddaughter." Although Elsa felt a slight discomfort, it wasn't unbearable. Remembering how kind Jonathan and Lara had been to her, she kept smiling, not letting any of her feelings show.
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