The Windfalls of Love (Roxanne and Harrison) novel Chapter 313

It took a moment for Roxanne to digest the brutal truth. Life, as she now realized, was trivial in all aspects but birth and death. All grievances faded into insignificance against the stark backdrop of mortality.

Chloe, sensing Roxanne's prolonged silence, dialed her number, her voice laced with concern. “Anne, are you alright?”

Roxanne’s voice was thick with unshed tears. “I’m fine, Chloe. Thanks for looking after Angela today. I'll pick her up tomorrow.”

Chloe’s heart ached for her friend. “Don’t worry about it. Angela can stay with me as long as you need. Just focus on Vincent. Fiona’s here to help, okay? We’ve got Angela covered.”

Roxanne suppressed her swirling emotions. “I just want Angela to be with Vincent. He’s old and the last thing he needs is this kind of heartbreak. Besides, Angela is his only grandchild. It’s just, it’s just so hard.”

After a pause, Chloe hesitantly asked, “Roxanne, we’ve all seen the news updates about the suspected plane crash. Do you have any insider info from the airline?”

Roxanne sighed deeply, a sound heavy with sorrow. Chloe knew then that she shouldn’t have brought it up, not wanting to add to Roxanne's pain.

The next day, Vincent returned from the hospital to the family estate. In just a day, he seemed to have aged a decade. Previously a spry man in his seventies now looked every bit of his years.

Angela, still unaware of her father's fate, sensed something was amiss. The adults were unusually quiet, especially Grandpa. Being the intuitive child she was, she tried to cheer him up, fetching fruit and tea with the earnestness of a caring granddaughter.

She carefully carried a cup of colorful, flower-infused tea to her grandfather, a tea she had made with cold water in her innocence, unaware that hot water was needed to steep the flavors.

The water in the cup spilled all over her because she was not walking very steadily.

“Grandpa, have some tea,” she offered, her tiny hands shaking, spilling droplets onto her clothes. But it didn’t matter to her; it was the act of caring that counted.

Vincent’s grief was interrupted by Angela's tender gesture, and he hugged her, tears spilling down his cheeks.

Angela reached out her chubby little hands, wiping away the tears on his face. “Grandpa, don't cry. I’ll give you the lollipop I hid secretly. If you eat it, you won't cry anymore, okay?' The adorable kid took out a lollipop from the bag and handed it to Grandpa. 'Shh, don't tell Mommy, okay? Mommy doesn't allow me to eat lollipops. She says they'll make holes in my teeth if I eat them.”

Such a cute child!