Chapter 177

When Ava spotted the beauty mark between my eyebrows, she froze, her eyes widening as if she'd seen a ghost. "Who are you? You look so much alike, it's eerie."

"I'm Rosie," I said with a friendly smile. "Do you know me, ma'am?"

"No, no," she stammered. "You just look so much like our young lady. I mistook you for her. I'm so sorry."

"Really, do I look that much like her?" I asked, intrigued.

"Yes, almost as if you're twins. Especially those eyes. The only difference is that little red mark between your eyebrows," Ava said, sighing. "Sorry for the mix-up. I thought you were our young lady. It would be a dream if she came back."

"No worries," I reassured her. "Did something happen to your young lady?"

"It's a long story," Ava replied. "She was the apple of Grandma's eye. Grandma misses her so dearly..." Ava revealed more than she intended, exactly what I'd hoped for.

"Is that so?" I said with a grin. "How about I visit your grandma instead? I'm a bit bored, and chatting with someone might help pass the time."

"Miss, are you hurt?" she asked, her eyes widening with concern.

I rolled up my sleeve. "Yeah, almost kicked the bucket."

As she gawked, I made my way inside. My heart pounded as I saw Grandma lying there. I wanted to rush over, to hug her tightly. I longed to tell her, "I've made it, Grandma. I'm back. You don't need to worry anymore." But logic held me back. I couldn't reveal my true identity. Even Ava, loyal as she was, couldn't know the truth. So, I swallowed my emotions, masking them completely.

"Ma'am, what happened to Grandma?"

"She's getting on in years and took a nasty fall. Hurt her head, and she can't move much now," Ava said, with a soft, pitying look.

"But you, so young, what made you… think of doing something so drastic?" The scar was a dead giveaway of a suicide attempt.

I shrugged, smiling lightly. "Had some tough times. Dying once made me see things in a new light."

"True enough, better to live badly than to die well," Ava said, the kind of thing she loved to say, as if I were just some neighborhood kid she could advise.

I didn't mind her chatter at all. Being stuck as a spirit had nearly driven me insane with loneliness. Ava's endless talk took me back to childhood days, when she was spry and bustling. She'd clean up my messes, grumbling, "My dear miss, slow down, you'll trip!" During midterms, she'd whip up a feast, saying, "Tell the kitchen to make extra seafood, it's her favorite." Before my wedding, she'd dab at her eyes, "Miss, you're off to be a wife now. You must take care of yourself."

It had been ages since I'd heard Ava's nagging, and oddly, I missed it. That sense of home, it warmed my heart. Even if the world's as dark as hell, there's still folks patching it up, lighting the way.

Chapter 177 (continued)

Being alive, that's something special. This world, it's worth it. I listened to her ramble with a smile, until Ava realized she'd been going on.

"Sorry, you just look so much like our young lady, I got a bit carried away."

"It's alright, ma'am. I've heard what you said and taken it to heart. No more thoughts of leaving this world."

"That's good to hear. You take care now."

I nodded. "Yes, ma'am. I'm feeling a bit parched. Do you have any fruit?"

"Absolutely! Hold on, I'll wash some for you."

Ava eagerly picked some fruit and headed to the sink. Our chat had caught Grandma's attention. As I neared her bed, her eyes locked onto mine. Leaning in close, I whispered softly in her ear, "Grandma, don't worry. It's Amanda, I've come back!"