I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 247

Sophie told Gavin several times to go home and get some rest, but he stubbornly refused. Instead, he just took a quick nap on the hospital's cot.

When he woke up, Sarah and Harold still hadn't returned.

Gillian and Rosemary were there, and Sophie and Gavin exchanged a quiet, knowing look.

By evening, Sarah finally returned, holding an umbrella. She was alone.

She greeted Gavin's mother and grandmother, walked over to the bassinet to check on the sleeping baby, and then turned to Gavin. "Why don't you take your mom and grandmother home? I'll stay here with Sophie tonight. It's sleeting out there, the roads are going to get dangerous soon."

"Mom, I took a nap this afternoon. I'll stay with Sophie tonight."

Sophie noticed her mother's eyes were slightly red, a clear sign she had been crying. Right now, Sarah needed some time alone to process her emotions.

"Mom, let Gavin stay with me. He only has a few days off, so let him spend as much time with me and the baby as possible."

Gillian chimed in from the side, "Let Gavin stay. He needs to experience firsthand how tough being a parent is."

Hearing that, Sarah smiled at Gavin. "You'll have to work a bit harder these next few days."

Sophie watched her mother leave, thought for a moment, and then sent a text to Harold: "Did you upset my mom today?"

"Is it a good time to call?"

Sophie checked on the sleeping baby and texted back that it was fine, having already set her phone to vibrate.

"Sophie, I didn't mean to make your mother angry. We started talking about the past, and it hit a raw nerve for her. I just thought it would be good for her to finally vent all that resentment she's been holding against me."

"Whatever she says, you take it. You owe her that much," Sophie said, her voice choking up. "She's been through so much all these years, endured so much hardship. When I was a kid, I didn't understand her, and I used to make her so mad."

"I know. It's all my fault. Sophie, I'll do everything I can to make it right. Is your mother doing okay?"

"Her eyes were red. It looked like she'd been crying. I told her to go home and rest."

"You should get some sleep too. I'll come see you tomorrow."

Harold hung up the phone and sat back in his armchair, staring out the window.

It had been sleeting all afternoon, but now it had turned into a steady snowfall. Under the glow of the streetlights, snowflakes drifted down from the pitch-black sky, swirling in the air before landing in silent solitude.

At noon, Sarah had tried to take him to the hospital cafeteria, but it was far too crowded and loud—hardly the place for a real conversation.

As if out of sheer defiance, Sarah picked up another clove of garlic with her chopsticks, peeled it, and popped it into her mouth.

Harold followed suit, grabbing a piece for himself. It was crisp, sweet, and tangy—surprisingly delicious.

"Pretty good."

Unsurprisingly, he was met with total silence from Sarah.

Stepping out of the restaurant, Harold turned to Sarah. "Let's find somewhere quiet to sit and talk."

"I want to go back and check on Sophie and the baby," Sarah flatly refused.

Right on cue, Harold let out a perfectly timed sneeze, continuing his pity act. "It's freezing. Come with me to buy a jacket. I don't know my way around here."

"Ask a cab driver. They'll take you to the nearest mall."

Sarah rejected him again. Harold let out a bitter laugh. "Sarah, are you really not going to give me a single chance?"

"Sophie wants her child to grow up in a warm, loving family, surrounded by people who care. I respect her wishes. You are the baby's grandfather. When you come to visit, I'll treat you with basic courtesy. But that's absolutely it."