chapter142

Lydia pulled up outside Mrs. Smith's house with Connor in the passenger seat. Just seeing the old gate and garden made her feel warm inside. This was home, the place she'd spent eighteen years of her life.

But when she spotted a familiar Land Rover parked by the front door, her heart sank a little. Connor noticed it too, but since Lydia didn't say a word, he just acted like he hadn't seen anything. He hopped out and went straight to the trunk to grab the gifts.

Lydia stepped out to help, but Connor was already way ahead of her. He had all the gifts stacked up in his arms, boxes piled so high they almost covered his face.

Let me take a few," Lydia said, reaching out, but Connor slipped away from her hand. "Don't worry, I've got it."

She could only smile and shake her head, then led him toward the house.

The moment they stepped into the yard, Milana's voice drifted out, thick with tears. "Mom, you have to help us. You used to be a doctor, right? You must have heard of Miracle Hands. Luke's only hope is surgery from him. We've tried everything, but no one knows where to find him. Please, ask around, talk to your old friends, help us save Luke."

Jenson jumped in right behind her. "Yeah, Mom, Luke is your own grandson. You can't just do nothing. Remember when Lydia was so sick, almost dying? You walked through a snowstorm to pray for her. You'd do anything for her. Now your grandson is sick, you have to help."

Mrs.

a's answer came out tight

and shaky, like she was holding back

a stor if you can't find this

"I'm old now. One foot in

the

grave. If

person, how am supposed to I

Milana snapped back. "So you're just going to sit there and do nothing? You're really going to watch Luke die?"

Mrs. Smith let out a sigh, her

frustration plain. "I warned you both

about spoiling Luke, told you to teach him better, but you wouldn't listen You said I was meddling Now something's wrong, and suddenly its my fault for not helping

Whatever I do, it's never fight in your eyes."

Things were getting tense, and Sandy quickly stepped in. "Grandma, they're just anxious about Luke.

We've tried every option, and everyone says Miracle Hands is the only one who can help him. Please don't be upset. We know your leg's been hurting again, so we bought you something special. We spent ten million at the black market for these rare golden antlers, they're supposed to be a miracle for bones and muscles, perfect for your condition."

Mrs. Smith gave her a long, thoughtful look. "Ten million for a pair of antlers?"

Sandy thought her grandmother was just surprised by the price. To someone who'd spent decades living in the countryside, ten million probably sounded unbelievable. Milana jumped in, eager to help. "It's true, Mom. We're all worried about your leg, especially Sandy. She heard these antlers are supposed to work wonders."

Mrs. Smith's gaze lingered on Sandy, her eyes full of a wisdom that had seen it all. "Oh really?"