Chapter 836 Don't Cry
Saskia found herself holding a bracelet, her fingers tracing its familiar contours. A wave of bitterness washed over her. Her mom had given it to her a long time ago. After Heidi went missing, Saskia had put the bracelet away to avoid the painful memories. Now, after all these years, it had found its way back to her, as if completing a full circle.
When she got home with the bracelet, Heidi was playing by herself. With Benjamin not around, this was how she passed the time. Thankfully, Heidi's mental state was like that of a five-year-old child. Even when she played alone, she didn't feel lonely, but watching her like this always made Saskia's heart ache, just like now.
"Mom, I'm back. Look what I have. Do you remember this?"
"The bracelet. I gave it to Saskia."
Heidi took the bracelet. She remembered! Saskia was stunned for a couple of seconds, her eyes quickly reddening, her voice hoarse, "Mom, you remember."
Heidi had forgotten many things after her brain injury, rarely mentioning even Saskia's father. But she always talked about Saskia, remembered her, and even recalled the things she had given her, including her favorite foods.
"You gave this to me, Mom. Look closely, I've kept it safe at the jewelry store all these years," Saskia said, choking up.
Heidi played with the bracelet carefully. Suddenly, she lifted Saskia's hand. Saskia thought Heidi was going to do something, but she just slipped the bracelet onto Saskia's wrist, "Saskia, wear it."
Saskia turned away to wipe her tears, unable to speak. She was afraid that if she opened her mouth, she would start crying uncontrollably. At least not in front of Heidi. Seeing her like this, if Saskia cried too, Heidi would worry.
A gentle pat on her back. Heidi's voice was soft, with an indescribable tenderness, "Don't cry, don't cry, Saskia."
Saskia almost broke down. After crying for a while, she spent the entire afternoon with Heidi at home. As it got close to the time for Benjamin to come back, Heidi started to get restless. On a whim, Saskia decided to take Heidi to the kindergarten to pick up Benjamin.
"Mom!" Benjamin saw Saskia from a distance, waved goodbye to his friends and Nora, and ran over with his little backpack. Saskia took his backpack, asking with concern, "How was your day at kindergarten? Did you have fun? And don't run so fast next time, there's a road here."
She said a lot, but Benjamin didn't respond. He was staring at Heidi, his eyes filled with pure curiosity and joy, "Grandma."
Heidi showed him the little pinwheel in her hand. They had bought it on the way, thinking Heidi wanted it for herself, but it seemed she had intended to give it to Benjamin all along. Benjamin was thrilled to receive the pinwheel.
Saskia held his backpack, took his hand, and kept an eye on Heidi as they walked together. "Let's pick up some groceries on the way," Saskia suggested, glancing at Heidi. With Heidi around, the chaotic market was not an option; the supermarket was safer.
Benjamin was excited about grocery shopping, eagerly agreeing.
At the supermarket, Saskia carefully selected the ingredients for dinner. Heidi wandered nearby. Busy picking out fruits and vegetables, Saskia couldn't keep an eye on Heidi, so she instructed Benjamin, "Hey, Ben, can you keep an eye on Grandma for me?"
Benjamin nodded. Though young, he wasn't naive. He had noticed that Heidi was a bit different from other adults. He had even asked his friends at kindergarten about their grandmothers. The comparison was clear. His grandmother was unique, behaving more like a child, with unclear speech. But Benjamin didn't mind; he adored Heidi.
Seeing Benjamin near Heidi, Saskia felt reassured and continued shopping. Just as she was about to finish and head to the checkout, a commotion erupted nearby.
"You stole something! Everyone, catch the thief!"
"You're lying! My grandma isn't a thief. You must have dropped it, and she picked it up to look at it," Benjamin argued.
But the accuser, a middle-aged woman with her daughter, ignored the child's words, blaming Heidi, the only adult present.
"I was watching my child and picking out groceries, so I put my phone down for a moment. You took my phone and think you're in the right?" the woman sneered.
As people gathered around, she raised her voice, "Everyone, judge for yourselves! Who's right and who's wrong? How could an adult not know not to take someone else's belongings?"
"Yeah, stealing and making excuses."
"Kid, your adult is in the wrong this time."
Benjamin's face turned red with frustration, "No! Grandma was trying to return the phone to its owner!"
The woman laughed, "But I am the owner."
No matter what he said, it didn't help. Benjamin was angry, anxious, and upset. He had never been treated like this before. He was on the verge of tears but held back when he saw Heidi. He couldn't cry; Saskia had told him to take good care of Heidi. He was a big boy now; he could handle this.
"Benjamin."
All his self-assurance crumbled at the sound of his name. Benjamin ran into Saskia's arms, sobbing, "Mom, they accused Grandma of stealing. I said she didn't, but they wouldn't believe me."
Saskia's heart broke, "Benjamin, it's okay. You did great."
Then she turned her icy gaze to the woman and her daughter. Though strict at home, Saskia loved her son dearly. She never let him suffer big grievances, raising him almost pampered. Now these people had the nerve to scold Benjamin? Where did they get the audacity?
The woman was startled by Saskia's cold stare but tried to act tough, "Who are you trying to scare? He called you mom, so you're his parent, right? And this old hag must be your mom?"
Hearing Heidi called an old hag, Saskia's anger flared, "Who are you calling an old hag?"
"What's wrong with saying it? Isn't she an old hag? At her age, stealing, isn't she ashamed? Or is it because you don't take care of her?"
"Do I need to remind you that baseless accusations are defamation?"
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