Grandma Davis passed away at the age of 75.
Before her death, she left a letter for Ella, asking her not to attend the funeral because it was considered unlucky for a pregnant woman to do so.
But that was just an old superstition. Holding the letter in her hand, Ella’s expression remained calm, yet a trace of sorrow quietly welled up in her heart.
Grandma Davis had also left a will. Her estate, including the family manor, was left to Ella—not to Hannah, nor Kevin.
Although Kevin was still attending boarding school, he would return to the Davis family during holidays.
However, Grandma Davis’s letter was filled with despair. She didn’t believe Kevin could turn over a new leaf.
It’s easy for someone to go astray, but for them to change for the better? That’s harder than reaching the heavens.
"What’s your decision? Will you go or not?" Eric asked softly from beside her.
Ella pursed her lips, genuinely unsure of what to do.
The two little ones in her belly were lively, kicking up a storm as soothing prenatal music played in the background. Ella handed the letter to Eric.
Eric scanned it briefly before passing it to Lucas.
After reading the letter, Lucas carefully folded it and placed it back in the envelope.
Leaning against the couch, Ella gently caressed her belly, trying to calm the little ones inside. "Be good, babies. Mommy is trying to think right now!"
The twins seemed to obey, settling down. Ella smiled and gently patted her belly. "Such good babies. When you’re born, Daddy and Mommy will love you even more!"
Eric chuckled. "These little ones are so active. They cause quite the commotion every day."
Fetal movement was normal, of course.
The real concern would be if they stopped moving. But some days, their kicks were so strong that Ella’s belly would ache from the force.
"Dad, do you think I should go?"
Ella looked at Lucas. She had gradually grown accustomed to acknowledging him as her biological father and often sought his advice.
"What was your relationship with Grandma Davis like? From my perspective, even if she didn’t like you before, leaving all her assets to you shows she was a wise woman. She knew Kevin would squander everything if it went to him, so she entrusted it to you instead.
"If Kevin ever grows up and takes responsibility, I know your character—you’d likely share the inheritance with him. Giving everything to you was the best choice she could make.
"As for an elderly woman... most of them only hope their descendants will honor them by attending their funeral. That’s the traditional belief of many older people from Country S," Lucas analyzed.
Ella nodded gently. Even though she was Grandma Davis’s biological granddaughter, she had rarely visited her. That Grandma Davis still entrusted her with everything showed she harbored no ill feelings toward her.
"But she was also the mother of the accomplice in your mother’s murder. It’s understandable if you feel conflicted, so the choice to go or not is entirely yours," Lucas said softly.
Eric held Ella’s hand gently. "Ella, if you decide to go, I’ll go with you."
Ella lowered her gaze slowly. "The talk of bad luck is nothing more than superstition. I, Ella, and my babies... we’ve always had strong energy and great fortune.
"While I don’t dislike Grandma Davis, I sometimes can’t let go of the fact that she was Robert’s mother, the mother of someone who was an accomplice to murder!"
Lucas paused, his eyes reflecting a hint of icy coldness.
"So, let’s skip attending her funeral. Eric, just have someone send a wreath in my name," Ella said lightly. She truly had no interest in the things Grandma Davis left for her.
Besides, respecting Grandma Davis’s last wish for her not to attend the funeral seemed appropriate.
"Understood. I’ll handle it," Eric said gently, patting her shoulder. "Get some rest. Don’t overthink things."
Ella nodded, her emotions remaining calm. She simply felt the impermanence of life—birth and death were inevitable. Her own rebirth and second chance at life required wisdom and courage to completely change her destiny.
Eric followed through, arranging for a wreath to be delivered to the funeral venue. However, when Michael returned, he handed Eric a slip of paper.
"Mr. Nelson, this note was given to me by a man dressed in black, who asked that I pass it on to Madam."
Eric frowned. In this era of advanced technology, why wouldn’t the person just send a text?
Unfolding the note, he read the bold and sweeping handwriting. His expression gradually darkened.
Miss Ella, I find you very interesting. I believe one day, I’ll change your fate.
"What did the man look like? Was he from Country S?" Eric asked, slipping the note into his pocket, deciding not to show it to Ella.
"I couldn’t tell. He wore a black leather jacket, a black hat, and sunglasses. His face was completely obscured," Michael replied softly.
Eric’s brow furrowed. "Very well. Investigate that man and find out where he came from. I don’t want a ticking time bomb near us."
"Understood, Mr. Nelson. I’ll get on it right away," Michael said before leaving.
Once alone, Eric pulled the note out again, studying it word by word.
The handwriting was unfamiliar. This meant the sender was not someone he knew. Who would choose this moment to send such a cryptic message to Ella?
The choice of such an old-fashioned method—delivering a handwritten note—was deliberate. It was intended to unsettle Ella.
Anxiety could negatively affect her pregnancy.
Eric’s lips curled into a cold smile. What exactly was that person’s goal?
In less than a day, Michael managed to locate the man.
The man revealed to Eric that a young homeless boy had given him the note and asked him to deliver it.
The boy, however, had since disappeared. He claimed to have received money from someone to pass the note along.
When Michael eventually tracked down the boy, they hit another dead end. The boy was too young to remember much and revealed that a homeless woman had given him the note.
The trail became a loop of dead ends, making it impossible to identify the original sender. Eric had no choice but to let it go, though he became even more vigilant in protecting Ella.
Ella’s treatment now rivaled that of a national treasure in a zoo—she received the most attentive and thorough care imaginable.
Before long, late spring arrived. Henry and Lauren were now married, and Ella, eight months pregnant, was strolling through the small courtyard in front of the villa with Eric.
After just ten minutes of walking, Ella felt a sharp pain in her belly.