"I went with Mr. Osborne to the clothing factory this morning to discuss some business. After we finished, I decided to sneak off and come home for a free meal. Who's that in the living room?" Grace Winslow didn't recognize the visitors, a clear sign they hadn't interacted much in the past.
Irene Lynch snorted coldly. "Who else could it be? People from your grandfather's side of the family."
It didn't register with Grace at first, but then it clicked, and she understood why Irene Lynch despised them so much.
Her maternal grandfather had many children. His wife had given birth to eight daughters in a row, but never managed to have a son.
While giving birth to Grace's youngest aunt, her grandmother had a difficult labor. She couldn't catch her breath and passed away.
The moment she was gone, her grandfather wrapped her body in a straw mat, dumped it in the mountains, and brought another woman home the very next day. And that woman was already pregnant.
