After uttering those words, tears streamed down Theodore’s face, yet a faint smile touched his lips. Under Fiona’s gaze, his figure slowly faded away.
She stood frozen for a long moment before a heart–rending cry tore from her throat. “My son!”
She understood now–she understood everything. Collapsing to the floor, she wept uncontrollably.
Dominic felt a faint surge of strength rise within him and turned to leave in silence.
Later, people said that ‘Love Me Blue Cheese‘ had closed down, and no one knew where the plump owner had
gone.
…
The next morning, Dominic woke early and sat on the sofa, waiting for Isabella to appear. Before she did, Lilith stirred first.
She ran over excitedly. “Daddy, you said you’d take me to see Grandpa. Let’s go now!”
“It’s the weekend,” Dominic said. “You can sleep a bit more. We’ll go later.”
“I don’t want to! I want to go now. I miss Grandpa!” Lilith pouted, clearly unhappy.
Dominic glanced toward the master bedroom, guessing Isabella was still asleep with a hangover. He sighed and nodded. “Alright. Pack your things. We’ll head out.”
“Yay!” Lilith darted to her room and soon bounced back out, wearing her favorite little leather shoes and carrying a Peppa Pig bag.
2
Seeing how happy she looked, Dominic smiled faintly.
“Let’s go!” Lilith shouted from the back seat, pumping her tiny fist in the air like a little adult.
“Seat belt,” Dominic reminded her.
Their hometown lay in a nearby village called Harvest Ville. After driving for over an hour along bumpy dirt roads, they finally reached an old house. An elderly man sat in the doorway. His left eye was sunken and clearly blind, yet he looked spirited.
As soon as Dominic parked, Lilith jumped out and ran forward. “Great–grandpa!”
Harold Fleming, Dominic’s grandfather, turned his head at once. With his good eye, he spotted the little girl, and a bright gleam flashed in his cloudy gaze. He stood, scooped her into his arms, and laughed. “Lily’s here!”
“Great–grandpa, why’s your beard so long?” Lilith asked.
“Haha! Because Great–grandpa’s too old, of course!”
Lilith thought for a moment, then nodded seriously. “Hmm, that makes sense.”
Dominic shook his head with a smile. “I’ll go make lunch.”
“There’s no firewood in the stove,” Harold said, still holding the girl. “Go grab some from the back.”
“Got it.” Dominic headed toward the kitchen.
Half an hour later, he came out and called, “Hey, Grandpa, I can’t find the vinegar. Where’d you put it?”
1/2
Chapter 97
+25 Bonus
Then he spotted Lilith crouched on the floor, bottom in the air, playing with a box full of old medals. Most of the metal had dulled with age. Some carried faded red five–pointed stars, others were engraved with words like ‘War Hero.‘
Dominic’s expression shifted. He knew how precious those medals were.
Hurrying over, he lifted Lilith from the floor and said sharply, “Who said you could play with these? Put them back now.”
Smack! A sudden blow landed on the back of his head, hard enough to make him see stars. He turned to find his grandfather glaring at him.
“You’re too nosy,” Harold said with a snort. “Go finish lunch. Lily can play with whatever she wants. What’s it to you? The vinegar’s on the shelf–Worcestershire sauce is behind it. Look properly.”
Rubbing the back of his head, Dominic sighed and returned to the kitchen. Harold’s hand still packed quite a punch.
Lilith giggled, and Harold laughed along with her.
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