Rebirth to take revenge
Chapter 151: Biological mother

Chapter 151: Biological mother

Josh stepped forward and gently took her wrist, checking her pulse. Though her condition had stabilized, he could feel the lingering fragility in her.

The doctor had reassured him earlier that she just needed rest, but the sight of her like this filled Josh with a deep sorrow. He gently touched her face and whispered, "Grandma, what should I do to make this right?"

His grandmother’s eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes opened slowly. She blinked a few times, as if adjusting to the light.

"Josh," her voice came out as a weak whisper.

Josh quickly leaned forward, forcing a smile onto his face. "Grandma, you’re awake."

Madam Greg let out a faint sigh, her eyes dim with weariness. "How long was I unconscious?"

"Just one day," Josh replied softly.

His grandmother closed her eyes briefly, as if the news brought her little comfort. When she opened them again, there was a faint trace of sadness in her gaze.

"Josh, I’ve caused you so much trouble," she murmured. "All these years, you’ve carried the pain I inflicted."

Josh shook his head vehemently. "Grandma, don’t say that. I could never hate you."

Madam Greg let out a dry laugh. "Even if you don’t admit it, I know you haven’t forgiven me for breaking up your parents’ marriage. I see it in your eyes every day."

Tears welled up in Josh’s eyes. He wanted to deny it, to push back against her words, but his voice failed him.

His grandmother’s eyes softened as she reached out a trembling hand. "Josh, I was wrong. I’ve made so many mistakes in my life. But please, promise me this—take care of Claire. She needs you, just as much as I need you now."

Josh clasped her hand tightly. "I promise, Grandma. I’ll protect Claire and this family. No matter what it takes."

Madam Greg smiled faintly, her eyes closing as she drifted back to sleep.

Josh stayed by her side, his heart a storm of emotions. Protecting Claire was only one part of his journey. Resolving the tangled web of the Greg family’s past would be the true test of his strength.

Hearing Madam Sussan’s words, Josh’s expression changed.

"Grandmother, your condition has just stabilized. How can you..."

"Grandma is fine; you don’t have to worry," replied Mrs. Greg with a smile, her eyes sparkling with a glimmer of light.

"But I don’t want to owe you too much. The root of all this is me. Whether you like it or not, let Grandma tell you," she said firmly.

Josh was stunned.

He looked at the kind yet weathered old woman in front of him, and his heart ached deeply.

"Grandma," he murmured.

He wanted to say something, but Mrs. Greg waved her hand, stopping him.

"Listen to Grandma. Finish listening, and you will understand everything sooner or later."

Josh fell silent.

Mrs. Greg continued, "Grandma doesn’t blame your mother. Back then, it had nothing to do with her, and I don’t wish to investigate who was right or wrong. She just wanted to save your father, that’s all."

Josh pursed his lips, lowering his gaze, concealing the guilt and self-blame in his eyes.

"Josh, even if you hate Grandma, she understands. But Grandma hopes you can forgive your mother," Mrs. Greg said with a deep sigh.

Josh looked up, his eyes filled with confusion and shock. Madam Sussan’s words left him completely stunned. His mother had saved his father all those years ago?

No, he couldn’t believe it. It must have been a misunderstanding. His mother had always been distant from his father—how could she have saved him?

Madam Sussan spoke calmly, as if she had known everything all along.

"I know you won’t easily believe me and might even think I’m lying. But..." she paused, her gaze steady.

"If you want to find that person, then listen to me."

Josh furrowed his brows. He knew his grandmother must have guessed something. He didn’t speak but waited for her to continue.

"Josh, Claire is actually your biological sister. The mother you remember was someone I arranged for your father to marry," she said bluntly.

Josh abruptly stood up. "You’re lying!"

Madam Sussan looked at his agitated expression and sighed.

"Don’t get worked up; let me finish. Claire and your biological mother came from a very different background compared to our Greg family. At the time, your father needed a strong heir, and I wanted to help him secure the election. That’s why I arranged for your later mother to marry him.

"But you had already been born by then," she added with a heavy tone.

"So you mean that even though my biological mother gave birth to me, you refused to let her marry into the Greg family?" Josh clenched his fists, his tone icy.

His heart filled with anger. All his life, he had longed for a pure and harmonious family, but now it seemed he had been living amidst hidden chaos.

Madam Sussan nodded and explained, "After your father married the woman I chose, our Greg family fell into chaos. Unfortunately...

"The woman you remember as your mother had someone else in her heart besides your father. Their marriage was never harmonious," she said sadly.

Josh remained silent.

"The reason she divorced your father was that he was involved with someone else—your biological mother," Madam Sussan continued, her tone sorrowful.

"At the time, you were just a child. You didn’t understand these things, so your father decided to keep it from you and entrusted you to me."

Josh’s anger deepened as he listened. His biological mother had been involved with another man, and he had been left to grow up without her?

The very thought made his chest burn with fury. The feeling of betrayal was unbearable.

"Later, your biological mother married into the Smith family. Although everyone believed she was carrying the Smith family’s child, your father was convinced that the child in her belly was his."

"That child is Claire," Madam Sussan said softly.

"And that is why your father was adamant about seeing Claire," she added.

Josh’s breath hitched, his eyes turning red and moist. All this time, he had thought his mother had abandoned him. But the truth—it shattered everything he believed.

"Josh, Grandma has tried to make up for this over the years, but you’ve always kept your distance," Madam Sussan sighed, her voice tinged with disappointment.

"But now, everything is finally out in the open."

The old lady looked out the window, a determined glint in her eyes.

"Josh, Grandma doesn’t blame your father for what happened back then, but I owe your mother. That’s why, no matter how you’ve treated me, I’ve endured it. But Josh, you have to believe me."

Josh smirked bitterly.

"You’ve said so much, what exactly do you want from me?"

The old lady’s eyes softened.

"Grandma hopes you can take care of Claire."

She looked at him with expectation. "Over the years, I’ve thought a lot. Claire and you are both my beloved grandchildren. If Claire can return to us, I will finally find peace."

Her tone was filled with quiet plea.

"I understand," Josh said, closing his eyes and hiding his emotions in the dark. "Grandmother, don’t worry. I will take care of her."

Upon hearing this, Madam Sussan smiled faintly. Some of the weariness in her eyes seemed to disappear.

"Grandmother is tired. You should rest. If you need anything, call me," Josh said gently.

Madam Sussan slowly closed her eyes, resting at last.

Josh gazed at her worn face and felt a stab of pain in his heart.

He stepped out of the room and gently closed the door. Glancing back one last time, he turned and walked away.

As he approached the living room, the butler called out respectfully, "Mr. Josh."

Josh paused.

"Miss Lucy is coming tonight," the butler announced.

Josh frowned and asked in a deep voice, "Why is she coming?"

"Mrs. Greg invited her for dinner and asked me to inform you. Miss Lucy will be bringing Mrs. Phillips as well," the butler explained.

Josh’s frown deepened. "Understood."

"Very well, I’ll continue with the preparations, the butler said before bowing slightly and walking away.

Moments later, Josh’s phone buzzed. It was a call from Lucy.

"Josh, where are you?" Lucy’s playful and coquettish voice rang through.

Josh’s face darkened, his tone frosty.

"Lucy, I’ve told you countless times not to disturb me. Do you understand?"

"I just like you, Josh. What are you going to do about it?" Lucy replied, pouting audibly.

Josh’s expression turned icy.

"Lucy, if you continue causing trouble, I won’t be as polite next time," he warned before cutting the call abruptly.

Lucy stared at the blank screen, her beautiful features twisting with frustration.

"Josh! I won’t give up! You’ll see!" she vowed.

Night Fell

Lucy stepped out of her room, dressed immaculately, her face adorned with delicate makeup and a proud smile.

In the living room, Mrs. Phillips looked up from her phone and brightened.

"Are you ready? Let’s go," she asked.

"Yes," Lucy said with a nod.

The two got into the car, and Mrs. Phillips directed the driver to head toward the Greg family villa.

During the journey, Lucy’s face was slightly sour.

"What’s wrong? Did Josh upset you again?" Mrs. Phillips asked gently.

Lucy pouted and complained, "He’s not as friendly to me as he used to be. Every time he talks to me, it feels like a formality."