Obsession Chapter 2 Part 4
CHAPTER 2 · PART FOUR
Obsession
“Sara’s the same,” Betty informed her.
Grandma smiled at me warmly. “She’s my granddaughter, after all. And I’m the luckiest grandma on earth.”
“And I’m the luckiest granddaughter to have a grandma like you,” I said, happiness radiating. We had lost so many years, but that didn’t matter now.
A tear slipped down Grandma’s cheek, followed by another trailing toward her chin. She wiped one away, and I gently brushed the other with my fingers.
Her skin was soft beneath my touch, the lines on her face deeper up close—years of waiting etched into them.
“It’s alright, Grandma,” I whispered.
She clasped my hand tightly. “I thought I’d never see you again. I had already given up when Leo, my private investigator, called to say he’d found you.”
“I never lost hope,” I said softly. “I knew you’d come for me one day.”
“Can I hug you, Sara?”
“Of course. You don’t need to ask.”
Grandma pulled me into her arms, holding me like she was trying to make up for every missed year in a single embrace.
Her perfume—jasmine mixed with citrus—wrapped around me as our breathing slowly synchronized, hearts reacquainting after so long apart.
The moment was interrupted by the sharp ring of her phone.
“It’s my grandniece, Chloe,” she said. “She’s been wanting to meet you. Do you want to talk to her?”
I nodded, and she handed me the phone.
Big blue eyes stared back at me through the screen. “Hello there. I’m Chloe.”
“Hello, I’m Sara,” I said.
We spoke at the same time and burst into giggles.
“Grandma told me a lot about you,” Chloe whisper-yelled, “but she didn’t say you’re this pretty.”
“Thank you,” I smiled. “She didn’t tell me you’re this pretty either.”
Chloe had long blonde hair tipped with pink and the same killer smile—Grandma’s smile. Dad’s smile. My smile.
“Are you two ganging up on me?” Grandma cut in, pretending to pout.
“If necessary, then yes,” Chloe replied dramatically.
We laughed, and it felt easy—natural—like this family had always been whole.
Betty raised her hand eagerly. “You haven’t introduced me to Chloe.”
“This is my sister, Betty,” I said, tilting the phone.
“Oh my gosh, Betty, you’re so pretty!” Chloe exclaimed.
“I wish I could be there,” she added. “School ruined everything with exams.”
Grandma leaned closer and whispered, “She’s at UC Berkeley.”
Betty’s eyes widened, awe flickering across her face.
“Are you both planning to follow Grandma back to the US?” Chloe asked.
I saw the hope in Grandma’s eyes and blurted, “Yes.”
Grandma looked surprised—then thrilled.
“Are you for real?” Chloe gasped.
“Yes.”
I knew Mom wouldn’t like it. But I wasn’t losing Grandma again.