A Replacement Bride

Chapter 167

"Katherine, have you and my brother always lived apart?" Tiara had long forgotten the unhappy events that had occurred earlier after the delicious dinner.

Hence, she asked interestedly, with a cushion in her arms, as she sat beside Katherine after dinner.

Katherine, however, did not answer, and instead gave Joaquin an unfriendly stare.

"You must be tired now, Tiara. Go back and have a rest," he gave Tiara a cold stare and said indifferently.

Tiara shook her head. "I don't want to! It's still early; I can't sleep even if I go back. Let me hang out a little longer here," she responded while wrapping her arms around Katherine's.

Katherine was a little wary of being touched. As a result, she furrowed her brows reflexively.

That didn't go unnoticed. Seeing that, Joaquin stood up and blocked Tiara from holding Katherine's arm. "Go back and rest—that's an order. If you don't listen to me, go back to the Foster Residence tomorrow."

"Joaquin?" Tiara looked at him with disbelief.

But he immediately dragged her out of Katherine's house and back to the 1802 unit next door. After pushing Tiara into the unit, he impatiently said, "Just tell me what your reason for coming here this time is. To snoop on Kathy and me?"

"I… I've said that there are no other motives! I simply like Katherine and want to spend more time at her place. If she gets into a better mood and decides to cook supper, I'll be able to enjoy some delicious food later! You're so heartless, Joaquin. I don't come here very often. Can't you just let me

enjoy more nice food? It is not going to cost you your life anyway," Tiara mumbled and guiltily moved her gaze away from Joaquin's.

At that point, Joaquin's patience was dwindling. "Go back to your room and sleep now."

But Tiara merely moved a few steps before running back to him and asked, her eyes filled with curiosity, "Joaquin, are you really living apart from her? Both of you have just married, so the fire should still be burning between you. Don't tell me..."

He didn't respond, instead lowering his head and staring at Tiara coldly.

She felt uneasy and guilty being stared at by him. Hence, she did not dare to blabber further and quickly trotted back to her room.

However, she reopened the door and poked her head out seconds after closing it. "But Joaquin, I have to report to Grandpa. Maybe you could avoid making things difficult for me by spending the night at Katherine's place? Otherwise, it would be very difficult for me to tell him."

"Get out—" Joaquin was now kicking himself for bringing Tiara back home.

He was dying to throw her out now.

However, since Zachary had deliberately arranged for Tiara to come, he had most likely noticed that something was something amiss between Katherine and Joaquin. That was why he asked Tiara to keep a close eye on them.

With this in mind, he massaged his temples and exhaled a deep breath. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Tiara was not the type to tell lies. She most likely had told Zachary about the situation between Joaquin and Katherine, and Joaquin had the feeling that…

Just as he was thinking, his phone rang. He was surprised after taking a look at who the caller was.

Zachary's call arrived much sooner than Joaquin had anticipated.

"Joaquin, there's something that I don't want to keep from you any longer. Some time ago, your grandma and I went for a body checkup, and it was discovered that I had cancer. It is already in quite a late stage. According to the doctor, I only have one year left. Your grandma and you are the two people I'm most worried about. Her health is worse than mine, so she will most likely not outlive me. I have no more wishes in my life apart than seeing you marry and have children of your own. I really wish to see you having a child with Kathy before I die, Joaquin. I can then rest in peace. Can you just grant me my last wish?"

Zachary's weak voice rang out the second Joaquin answered the call.

However, Joaquin merely pursed his lips and did not respond.

Zachary let out a light cough at that before he went on, "Joaquin? You cannot decide this on your own, right? Pass the phone to Kathy; I'll tell her myself."

At this point, Joaquin was well aware of what Zachary was up to. The elderly man was simply making up an excuse to test them after listening to Tiara's report.

Joaquin exhaled a sigh before opening the door and went to Katherine's unit beside his.

She was surprised to see him return. "What happened? Are there any other matters?" she asked doubtfully.

"Let's go to your room and talk," he responded while covering his phone's microphone.

Katherine could guess what was happening upon seeing what his actions were. Hence, she nodded and brought him into her room.

After closing the door, he looked at the phone in his hands and signaled to her with his eyes.

Joaquin didn't say even a word, but she knew what he meant.

With that, she extended her hand, took his phone and raised it to her ear. "Hello, Grandpa?"

"Kathy!" Zachary was elated to hear her voice.

"Why are you looking for me, Grandpa? I was in the shower and just walked out," she responded naturally and walked deeper into the room, holding the phone.

"Nothing. It's just that I'm getting older and don't know how much longer I can live. My only wish is for Joaquin and you to be happy and, if possible, to have children. Then I can rest in peace. "Zachary sighed and spoke glumly.

Hearing that, Katherine pursed her lips and silently glanced at Joaquin.

Asking us to have children again…

She raised her hand to massage her temples. "I believe it's better to let nature take its course, Grandpa," she replied patiently.

"I don't have much time left. This is my only wish…" Zachary began to beg for sympathy.

Katherine really had no idea how to deal with that. Hence, she looked helplessly at Joaquin.

He quickly took the phone over. Then, he heard Zachary saying, "Kathy, Joaquin lost his mother when he was young and life has not been easy for him. I was previously worried that he wouldn't be able to learn to love, but I'm glad that he has you now. I truly hope you both live happily ever after."

Joaquin did not say anything in response. He pursed his lips as he felt down.

For a few moments, Zachary continued to nag, while Joaquin remained silent and simply listened to Zachary.

When Zachary was almost done speaking, Joaquin quickly responded, "I understand what you mean, Grandpa. Kathy and I will work for it."

He then quickly ended the call before turning to face Katherine.

"Your grandfather is in good health. Despite some elderly illnesses, it wouldn't be a problem for him to live for another twenty to thirty years. Joaquin, if you wish to have a child, you should find a woman you really love. I…"

"What if I say you are the woman that I truly love?"