Chapter 116
“Grandpa?” The voice was too familiar. It was the voice that protected her so many times in the past, so how could she forget?
“I guess you still remember me.” Mr. Duval Sr. was touched; which could be heard through his
voice.
She couldn’t stand hearing Earnest sound sad. “Grandpa, what do you mean? You treated me like your own granddaughter, so how could I forget who you are?”
“Let’s meet up then.” Ernest invited her, and she wasn’t going to reject it.
She drove to the rendezvous point, which was the hotel where she and Rickard held their wedding.
Since Rickard didn’t like her, and they had never rekindled, now seeing this place after all these years, it still looked the same.
Hesper felt sad but she quickly snapped out of it.
She opened the door to the room when Ernest smiled at her. “You’re here, kiddo.”
The friendly smile warmed her heart.
Hesper walked over and sat across him. “How have you been, Grandpa?”
“I’m alright. I’m old and frail. I might die soon.” Ernest accepted his situation but felt sad for her. What about you? You must have suffered.”
Hesper was going to say that she didn’t, but Ernest could see through her. All her pretense and strength melted away under his concerned gaze, and finally, she said through sobs, “It’s all in the past now. I’m doing well.”
“You’re still trying to pretend that you’re strong after all these years. I’ve heard of what the Duvals did to you. We’ve wronged you.”
“Don’t say that.” Hesper wouldn’t put someone else’s blame on him. “You didn’t do anything to me but instead took good care of me. Without you, I wouldn’t have safely given birth to Renfrew. I’ll
remember this forever.”
“Silly kiddo.” The old man shook his head. “They’re my family. The mother and daughter bullied you, so I wouldn’t be able to detach myself from the situation either. I didn’t bring them up well enough, and that is why they are how they are.”
Hesper sniffled. The Duvals, including Rickard, would never think that they had done anything wrong. Only Grandpa would be concerned about her and wouldn’t let her get hurt.
“Well we’ve finally met up, so there’s no point talking about the past.” She smiled and changed the topic. “Grandpa, I don’t think you know that I’m doing very well now. I have a brother who loves me a lot and friends who care for me. I’m the person in charge of the branch of Lane Holdings here.”
“Really?” Ernest smiled proudly. How could he not know about all that?
But if she really was happy, why did her eyes look so tired? That was a sadness one would get after going through serious trauma. The kiddo was just worried that he would worry, and he knew
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