Lola would still come back to Novera for her business. However, she didn’t think she would stay that long. At least, there wasn’t anything left here for her to come back for.
Well, not that she ever planned to stay in this place for a long time.
The only reason she returned was to cut ties with her family and finally forget them. And today, she did. However, she wasn’t going to close this Chapter of her life with just the Youngs. After all, there was still someone she needed to see before leaving.
The faint rhythm of the heart monitor pulsed through the quiet hospital room. A soft scent of disinfectant lingered in the air, mingling with the faint breeze that passed through the half-open curtains.
"Grandpa."
Lola sat down beside the hospital bed, her hands folding over her knees as she studied the old man’s face. "You’re looking better than the last time I visited."
The chairman let out a warm, low chuckle. "Your children want to build a coffin for me," he said. "How could I bother those little ones with such a tiring task?"
Lola couldn’t help but smile. She’d heard that her children had visited the chairman — in fact, they did so more often than anyone expected. When they couldn’t visit in person, they called just to check on him.
"Such adorable little children."
"Grandpa, how are you?" she asked, even though before coming here, Lola had spoken with his physician and was told that his condition had been improving.
"How are you holding up, child?" The chairman reached out and gently clasped her hand. "I heard what happened to LL Construction... and Lawrence’s attempt."
Concern softened his expression. Even though Lola often claimed she didn’t care about her father, the chairman knew her all too well. This young woman had always said one thing, but her heart told another story.
Lawrence was still her father, at the end of the day.
"I..." Lola trailed off, lowering her eyes. The lines of her face softened as emotion slipped through. "...am okay, Grandpa."
She drew in a deep breath and lifted her gaze again. "I will be okay, Grandpa. With my kids and husband with me, I’ll be okay eventually."
She had chosen to be the bigger person and walk away from everything that hurt her, but that didn’t mean she was completely healed. Atlas, the twins, and her in-laws didn’t erase the pain.
What they did was stand as the pillars she could lean on until she found the strength to stand again.
"Grandpa," she murmured, squeezing his hand gently. "I’ll be leaving, and... I might not be able to visit you for a long time."
A look of longing flickered in her eyes. Her feelings for the old man had never changed. Deep down, she knew the chairman’s care for her had always come from the sincerest part of his heart. He might have promised Loren to look after her, but the affection he gave was his own.
The chairman smiled softly and nodded. "I know," he said. "I knew you’d leave Novera eventually."
Lola didn’t respond, only exhaled through her nose. She had never promised to stay. If she truly planned to stay, she would have closed her main branch entirely. Instead, she opened another one here — a business strategy, nothing more.
He gave her hand a gentle shake and looked at her again. "And you will be alright, won’t you?"
"Yes," she whispered, nodding faintly. "I will be... I’m sure."
He nodded reassuringly, eyes glinting with warmth. "And I am very proud of you."
How he wished he had been more present when she was younger. But life had demanded much of him, and responsibilities had always come first. There was guilt somewhere behind his smile — the quiet kind that years couldn’t quite wash away.
Even so, Lola knew he had done his best. And that was enough for her.
The room settled into a peaceful stillness as he continued to talk, reminding her of little things — to eat properly, to rest, to take care of herself — all the simple, ordinary things a loved one says when words begin to run out. Lola listened, nodding gently, her tears drying on her cheeks.
"Take care of your health too," she whispered when he finally stopped. "Please, for me."
He smiled again, eyes soft with affection.
But in the end, Lola couldn’t bring herself to tell him the truth — about what Loren had done, about how deep the wounds truly ran. Loren had already disappointed her, and Lola couldn’t bear to let the chairman feel that same disappointment.
To spare him from the pain, she carried the weight alone.
It was fine, she thought. She had learned to live with it. And just knowing that the chairman was still here — breathing, smiling, and content — was enough.
As she stood to leave, the afternoon light streamed in through the curtains, touching the edges of the room with a golden hue. She looked back at him one last time, memorizing the quiet strength in his gaze.
And just like that, she thought, I’m closing this Chapter of my life... to welcome tomorrow.

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