Laughter filled the room; both Betty, Mia's mother, and Emeralde shared stories together.
Emeralde held Betty's hands and took a deep breath before saying.
"Can you tell me more about my mom, Granny?"
Granny smiled at her and caressed her face.
" You don't need to be scared about asking me this, child."
Emy smiled at her.
" Mia."
Granny sighed.
"My baby fell in love with the first man that made her feel safe. Lennox. They were young and in love. I could do anything to see that smile on her face again."
Granny stared at Emeralde before continuing.
"They were supposed to get married."
Emeralde frowned. "Then what happened?"
"Lennox's father was against it. Mia came from an ordinary family, and according to him, she wasn't good enough for his son and the family."
Granny's expression hardened at the memory.
"He wanted Lennox to marry someone of the same standard. That was who he considered worthy. Mia was pregnant with you at the time, but Lennox's father still refused to accept her. I remember her crying one night because of that."
Granny wiped the tears from her face.
She lowered her head and said.
"Lennox fought his father. He kept saying he loved Mia and wanted to marry her. But eventually he gave in."
Emeralde's fingers curled together on her lap.
"So... he left her."
Granny nodded.
"News spread about him and Jolly. The woman his father believed matched their status."
Emeralde's face fell.
"Your mom cried throughout the pregnancy; she was devastated. But after you were born.." Granny smiled faintly. "You became her reason to keep going."
"Mia adored you. She would always say you were the best thing she had in her life apart from Lennox."
Granny paused, her smile disappearing.
"But when you were months old, Lennox came back."
"Your mother's health was deteriorating after childbirth. Her last days were spent with you until Lennox took you away. And that was the last time I saw you."