Chapter 467 Grace Contemplates a Deadly Silence
The room transfer was a straightforward affair, and it wasn't long before Sebastian and Ariel were back. Grace quickly masked the resentment and frustration in her eyes and bustled about, assisting Sebastian and Ariel with the move.
Once Shane was settled into the regular room, Grace went to buy towels and a basin. Aware that hot water was only available during certain hours, she also fetched fresh hot water for washing Shane's face and hands.
Seeing Grace's doting over Shane, Ariel smiled and said, "Grandpa has always adored you. Seeing you care for him so sincerely will surely comfort him when he wakes up."
After Grace had brought the water into the restroom, she returned and cracked open a window to air out the room. With all tasks completed, she said, "Grandpa has always cherished me. It's my duty to look after him. We couldn't do much while he was in the ICU, but now that he's out, I'd like to care for him personally."
Ariel's eyebrows lifted ever so slightly.
Oblivious, Grace feigned concern as she watched over Shane and continued, "I want to be the first person Grandpa sees when he wakes up."
Ariel didn't refuse, nodding. "I'm sure Grandpa would wish for the same."
A smile spread across Grace's face at the consent, but her joy was short-lived, as Ariel added, "I'll stay as well. It's better to have two people here to look after him."
Grace's smile instantly froze. She fought to remain composed, not letting her emotions show. "No need, I can manage on my own."
As Ariel patted her on the shoulder, she said, "We're both his granddaughters. I can't just sit back and relax at home while you're sticking by his bedside like glue."
"There's no need for formality between sisters—"
"Cut the formalities. Like you said, we're sisters."
Grace had no retort.
Sebastian, who had been out on the balcony making phone calls, walked in and slipped his phone into his pocket. "I just got off the phone with a home health aide. Let's leave the this work to the professionals. You guys can just be there for support."
Grace's heart sank. First with Ariel, and now a home health aide; getting to Shane seemed utterly impossible now.
She couldn't allow it—Shane must never wake up.
Grace looked at Ariel and said, "If that's the case, let's take turns caring for him. The hospital room is too cramped; too many people might actually hinder Grandpa's recovery."
This time Ariel didn't refuse; she nodded in agreement without hesitation.
After the three of them spent a while in the hospital room, the health aide arrived. Much to Sebastian's satisfaction, Navie, a woman in her forties with a decade of experience, was strong and skilled.
That night, Navie and Grace took over the caregiving duties. After making sure there was nothing left for them to attend to, Ariel and Sebastian left together. Riley and Jeremy came to visit Shane in the hospital but left after a short stay.
The first night passed quietly. Navie took her responsibility seriously and with great dedication. Grace barely slept, vigilantly watching Shane, fearing that he would wake up at any moment. Turned out, she worried for nothing. Though Shane had made it through the critical phase, there was still no sign of him waking up.
On the second night, it was Ariel's turn to watch over him, yet Grace lingered in the room, refusing to leave.
Ariel nudged her toward the door. "Don't worry. Grandpa's in good hands with me and Navie here. You should head back and rest. If you don't get a good night's sleep now, how will you be able to function tomorrow?"
Grace cast one more uneasy glance in Shane's direction. "Hey Ariel, how about I take care of Grandpa tonight? You can take over tomorrow."
Ariel firmly ushered her out of the hospital room. "No way. You look awful since you didn't get any rest last night. Go home, I got this."
Seeing Ariel's unwavering stance, Grace left reluctantly, filled with great unease.
Worried about Shane's potential awakening, she found herself unable to sleep for two nerve-racking nights. She contemplated how to ensure Shane would never come to.
On a night when it was Ariel's turn to watch over Grandpa, Grace paced in her backyard, fraught with worry, when she spotted Jeremy rushing to leave.
She casually asked, "Jeremy, where are you headed so late?"
Jeremy, keys in hand, replied, "Ariel just called me saying she had an urgent errand to run and asked me to cover for her at the hospital."
Grace's eyes sparkled. "Has she already left?"
Jeremy nodded, looking a bit frazzled. "Yeah; it was all so sudden. She's already on her way, so I need to hurry. Just in case the caregiver steps out for a bathroom break or a shower, someone should be there."
Grace wouldn't miss this rare chance. "I'll go!"
Jeremy refused immediately. "No, you just took care of Grandpa last night. You need to rest."
"I'm fine, I'm not tired! Besides, I've been looking after Grandpa these past few days. I know exactly what to do, and I work so well with Navie."
Jeremy scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed. "I feel bad always asking you for favors."
Grace feigned upset, her glare sharp and accusing. "What are you talking about? He's my Grandpa, and he's always adored me. It's my duty to care for him. Right now, I just want him to wake up soon and bring Patricia to justice."
Even though Jeremy knew she was right, he couldn't quite appreciate her last remark. However, he just nodded. "Alright, call me if you need anything."
"Will do!" Grace grabbed the car keys from his hand before he could change his mind and drove straight to the hospital.
She didn't expect that with Ariel gone, Navie was also nowhere to be found. The light in the restroom was on, and the soft patter of running water echoed from inside. Navie must be taking a shower.
For Grace, this was the perfect opportunity she had been waiting for. Any noise outside would go unnoticed by the person inside. She tiptoed to the bedside, eyes fixed on Shane as he struggled to breathe with the help of a ventilator, a chilling malice glinting in her gaze.
"You could have left things as they were, but no, you had to push me. To kill, or to be killed—this is how it works. Don't you dare bother me again."
Her hand reached for his ventilator. Simply turning it off or disconnecting it would ensure he'd never wake up again.
Thrilled at the thought of Shane's imminent demise and her plan nearing fruition, Patricia's fate sealed, Grace trembled with excitement.
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