Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Margaret took Doriss hand , her eyes glistening with emotion . My life was saved by this wonderful young woman , Doris , I cant thank her enough for what shes done for me . To show my gratitude , I want to formally adopt her as my granddaughter . I hope all of you can witness this . The crowd broke into murmurs of approval , with someone chiming in . Margaret , congratulations on gaining such a lovely granddaughter ? Lewis was sipping water , and he choked violently , nearly spitting it out . Doris glanced at him , raising her eyebrows as if to say , Well , this is what you get ! Lewis , caught completely off guard by Margarets declaration , quickly interrupted , Grandma- Dont you interrupt me ! Im not finished , Margaret snapped , glaring at him . Turning back to Doris with a warm smile , Margaret continued , Doris , I understand youre already married , so I wont push you . But Id still like to adopt you as my granddaughter . Would that be alright ? Doris froze and was lost in her thoughts . Adopted granddaughter ? So …. does that make me and Lewis siblings now ? Er … Doris stammered with her brow furrowed . She cast a pleading look toward Lewis and said , Why dont you explain ? Margaret noticed Doriss glance toward Lewis and frowned . Why are you looking at him ? If you dont think its a good idea , just tell me . Grandma , let me explain . Lewis began , trying to steer the conversation in a more reasonable direction . I dont want to hear it , Margaret cut him off with a wave of her hand . No matter what you say , Ive made up my mind . Doris will be my granddaughter . Grandma , lets talk about this inside , Lewis said , shooting Doris a look , silently pleading for her help . Margaret reluctantly allowed herself to be ushered inside , though her reluctance was written all over her face . Once they were behind closed doors , Lewis didnt waste any time and said , Grandma , you cant adopt Doris as your granddaughter- Before Lewis could finish , Margaret immediately raised her hand and said with a sharp expression , What are you saying ? Are you looking for a slap ? You dont have the good fortune to marry a girl like Doris , and now you wont even let me make her my granddaughter ? Margaret , please dont be upset , Doris interjected , gently patting her on the back . Just hear him out , alright ? Lewis sighed with helplessness etching on his face . If you insist on adopting Doris , then she and I will have to get divorced first . Margaret froze , her expression shifting to one of shock . What ? Divorce ? What are you talking about ? Grandma , Doris is already your granddaughter in law . Were married . How could you adopt her as your granddaughter ? Lewis explained , rubbing his temples . Margaret widened her eyes ; as if not believing what she had heard . Married ? You two ? Are you serious ? Youre not joking ? Without a word , Lewis reached into his pocket , pulled out their marriage certificate , and placed it on the table . Nadia , get my reading glasses , Margaret called out , her voice tinged with urgency . Nadia quickly brought over the glasses , and Margaret slid them on . Carefully , she picked up the certificate and studied it , her 1/3 Thiu , 27 Fe Chapter 31 fingers tracing over the names on it . As the reality of it sank in , her wrinkled face lit up with joy . Her hand lingered on the paper as tears pooled in her eyes , her smile growing wider by the second . Well , Grandma , do you believe me now ? Lewis said with a small , satisfied smile . Margaret nodded vigorously , a delighted laugh bubbling out of her . Then , with a playful smack to Lewiss arm , she exclaimed . You little rascal ! You kept this from me ? Watching me fret and fuss while you were secretly married to Doris ? Well , considering you married such a wonderful girl , I forgive you for deceiving me . * So no adopted granddaughter now ? Lewis asked with a sly grin . Margaret waved him off , still clutching the marriage certificate like a prized treasure . Whats the point of an adopted granddaughter when Ive got such a perfect granddaughter in law ? Lewis leaned back , his tone a little too smug . Dont forget , the guests outside are waiting for your big announcement . Margarets joy turned into mock annoyance as she shot him a glare . This is all your fault ! she huffed , though a smile still tugged at her lips . Lewis explained , trying to keep his tone calm , You were recovering when we got married , and the doctor specifically said to avoid stimulating you . I wanted to wait until you were better to tell you . I thought today , after we brought you home , would be the perfect time . But instead , you decided to jump the gun and declare Doris as your adopted granddaughter without even consulting me . And every time I tried to explain , you cut me off . Oh , so now its all my fault ? How convenient for you ! Margaret huffed , clearly annoyed . But with a wave of her hand , she dismissed it . Fine , Ill let it slide . Ill fix this myself . With that , Margaret marched back out into the yard with Doris and Lewis trailing behind her . Sorry to keep you all waiting , Margaret announced with a cheerful smile . By the way , where were we ? Margaret , you were saying you wanted to adopt this young lady as your granddaughter , someone helpfully reminded her . Margaret waved the comment off like it was nonsense . Oh , you misunderstood . What I meant to say was that this lovely young lady is going to be my granddaughter in law . No , you definitely said adopted granddaughter . Margaret raised her chin indignantly and retorted , Dont think Im senile . Lewis and Doris are already married . Shes my granddaughter in law , not my granddaughter . You all just heard it wrong . Here , I have their marriage certificate as proof . She triumphantly held up the marriage certificate , waving it for all to see . Look at this . Isnt it beautiful ? Arent they just the perfect couple ? The crowd fell into stunned silence for a moment . Shouldnt you guys say something ? Margaret said to the crowd with a smug face . Someone broke the silence and said , Congratulations , Margaret ! Congratulations ! others echoed , followed by a round of applause . Margaret beamed and gestured toward the food . Thank you , guys ! Now , everyone , enjoy the food and drinks . 2/3 Chapter 31 With that , the awkward moment was swept under the rug , thanks to Margarets quick thinking . Lewis and Doris exchanged amused glances , both silently agreeing that Margaret was truly unbeatable when it came to situations like this As the evening wound down and the guests departed , it was finally time for Margaret to rest . Doris helped Margaret to her bedroom on the first floor , and Lewis followed with a cup of warm water . Grandma , take your medicine , said Lewis while handing her the pills . Margaret took them obediently and held onto Doriss hand . Doris , its already dark , and Lewis had a drink earlier . I dont feel comfortable letting you both drive back tonight . I had Nadia tidy up Lewiss room upstairs . Why dont you two stay here tonight ? Tomorrow morning , we can have breakfast together before you head out . What do you think ? Doris hesitated . Her refusal was on the tip of her tongue , but when she looked into Margarets hopeful eyes , she couldnt bring herself to say them . The thought of staying , however , made her stomach flip . If they spent the night , she and Lewis would have to share a room , a room with only one bed . How was she supposed to handle that ? Sensing her unease , Lewis answered , Grandma , Doris can drive , and we both have work tomorrow . Well come back this weekend to spend more time with you . Margaret sighed dramatically , her expression shifting to one of exaggerated hurt . Youre still leaving , huh ? Fine , Im just an old woman no one wants to bother with anymore . Dont mind me . Ive lived alone for most of my life . Ill survive another night . Just leave . Im sleeping . Dont disturb me . She flopped onto the bed and turned her back to them , muttering under her breath about being abandoned . Lewis stood there , looking visibly helpless . Doris could see he was torn , caught between reason and his deep affection for the woman who had practically raised him . Realizing that Margaret wouldnt let this go unless they stayed , Doris decided to change tactics . Margaret , what would you like for breakfast tomorrow ? she asked gently . Margaret froze for a second before continuing her grumbling . Why would you care since youre not even staying ? Just go . Its late . The roads arent safe . Leave the old woman to her fate . Doris coaxed her patiently , I need to know what you want so I can make it for you in the morning . That did the trick . Margaret sat up immediately , her eyes lighting up as she broke into a wide smile . You mean … youre staying ? 3/3 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!