Chapter 134: Buying a gift for Grandfather

Words : 1097 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Chapter 134: Buying a gift for Grandfather Anne lay curled against Augustine, her head resting on his chest. He held her like he never wanted to let go, one hand stroking her hair, the other draped across her back in a protective hold. For a while, neither of them spoke. Then Augustine exhaled slowly, the tension in his body finally easing. "I don’t ever want to be in that position again," he said, his voice tight. Anne lifted her head slightly, meeting his eyes. They weren’t fierce now. They were open, vulnerable, filled with emotion. "I promise. It won’t happen again." She smiled softly. "Knowing you were there—that you always show up for me, makes me confident. That’s what gives me the strength." He kissed her forehead, slow and lingering. "Patricia and Lorie won’t hurt you again. I’ll never let them near you again." She nodded, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Let’s go buy some gifts." "Gifts?" Augustine arched his eyebrows at the sudden change of the topic. "Yes. Aren’t you going to see your grandpa tonight?" she asked innocently. "You are taking me to your family for the first time. Do you expect me to go there with empty hands?" He smiled, nodding. "Alright. Let’s go buy some gifts." Anne beamed. They stopped by a well-known antique shop in the quieter part of town. The shop was warm, softly lit, filled with handcrafted items—ceramics, books, paintings, and unique heirloom pieces. They walked through the shelves, hand in hand. "It’s our first dinner... I want to make a good impression," Anne said softly, scanning the shelves. "I want to bring something special. Something that shows respect." "You being there is enough," Augustine replied gently, "but I know he’ll love whatever you choose." Anne stopped in front of a glass cabinet filled with vintage writing instruments, aged ink bottles, and old scrolls. She reached for a beautifully preserved 19th-century compass mounted in a mahogany box, lined with velvet. The brass casing was engraved with a delicate crest. She looked up at him, eyes sparkling. "Would he like it?" Augustine shrugged. "If you like it, take it." Anne’s excitement faded. ’Why is he not giving me any suggestions?’ she muttered under her breath, pouting as she resumed looking around. Anne paused again in front of a shelf lined with antique-style pocket watches, each encased in glass. She picked up one and looked at him expectantly. "How about this?" "My answer is the same," he said with a teasing smile. "Take whatever you want." She put the pocket watch back, her smile vanishing. "You are only confusing me, not helping me at all." She moved forward through the aisles, scanning shelves of old books, sculptures, and aged furniture. They reached a small section where framed artwork hung neatly along the wall—oil portraits, various antique paintings, all arranged with care. Anne’s eyes landed on a landscape painting. It showed a quiet mountain range with a narrow path running through it, painted in soft, earthy tones. The style was traditional. Peaceful, steady. Timeless. Anne studied it for a moment. "This feels right. It’s calm. And it looks like something he’d actually hang." Augustine stood beside her and nodded. "He grew up in the countryside and liked to stay there. That looks a lot like the place he talks about from his childhood." "Then it’s sealed," she decided. "I am taking it." Augustine smiled and nodded. "Well, isn’t this a coincidence?" A familiar voice rang out behind them. They turned to see Tania and Denis walking in, arm in arm. Tania wore her usual smug expression, eyes immediately sweeping over Anne with thinly veiled contempt. In her hands, she held a mid-sized sculpture of a woman holding a baby in her arms, carved in smooth, pale stone. "This," Tania said proudly, "is for grandfather. I wanted to give him something symbolic." Her hand grazed her stomach subtly as she spoke. Denis stood beside her, his expression stiff, his eyes fixed on Anne. Anne lifted an eyebrow as she eyed the sculpture, the corners of her mouth twitching—she almost laughed but managed to keep her composure. Beside her, Augustine’s hand settled firmly on her lower back. "What did you pick for Grandpa?" Tania asked with curiosity. Anne gestured to the landscape painting. "This is what we chose." "Oh!" Tania glanced at it, her expression quickly turning sour. "That’s it? Just an old painting? You couldn’t find anything more unique or meaningful in this entire shop? It’s not like you get many chances to bring gifts for Grandpa." Anne didn’t waver. "Worry about your own gift, Tania. Ours isn’t your concern." She turned to Augustine. "Ready to go?" "Yeah," he said, already signaling to one of the staff. "Wrap this painting." The salesgirl nodded, taking the painting to the counter as Anne and Augustine followed behind. Denis watched Anne as she walked away, something flickering in his eyes. A part of him wanted to reach out, say something—but he didn’t move. He was trapped in a situation he couldn’t walk away from. Beside him, Tania seethed. "What is her problem? I was just trying to help her pick something better." Denis shot her a hard look, clearly annoyed. "It’s their gift, not yours. You don’t get to decide. If you are done here, let’s leave." Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out briskly. "Denis, wait up," Tania called, hurrying after him to keep up. After settling the bill, Anne and Augustine walked out of the shop and got into the car. As the doors shut and the engine started, Anne turned to Augustine, her thoughts still lingering on what had just happened. "Tania is something else," she muttered. "She is faking a pregnancy and playing everyone like fools. And now she is going to meet Grandpa too. I don’t get what she is trying to pull." "She won’t get away with it for long," Augustine reassured her. "I’ve already collected enough evidence to bring her lies to light." A knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. Anne’s eyes lit up. "Wait—seriously? You’ve got proof?" she exclaimed with excitement. "I do," he affirmed. She leaned closer, curiosity bubbling. "When do you plan to show everyone the evidence?" "When the timing is right," he said coolly. Anne grinned, her mood lifting at the thought. "I can’t wait to see her fall flat on her face. I want to see Denis’s expression when everything blows up in her face." The smirk on Augustine’s face deepened. "You’ll get your wish. Soon."

Chapter 134: Buying a gift for Grandfather

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