Chapter 169
+15 BONUS
“Wouldn’t having your grandma move here be more convenient?” I suggested.
Matthew sat at the head of my bed. He scooped up a spoonful of cornflakes and brought it to my lips.
“That’s exactly what I think too, but Grandma doesn’t agree. She’s been in Southsville since she was young and doesn’t want to leave, insisting she’ll be buried there.
“What she really can’t part with, I believe, is the house. She had chosen it with Grandpa. For her, the house makes it feel like Grandpa is still around.”
“How’s your grandmother doing now…?” I took the bowl to eat by myself.
Matthew didn’t try to take it back but set up a small table on the hospital bed. He said softly,
“Grandma’s wish has been fulfilled.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
“She passed away last winter. I laid her to rest next to Grandpa so that they could be
together forever. I think that made her happy.”
Matthew was raised by his grandmother. He had a deep bond with her. He was enveloped in sorrow when he spoke of his grandmother, who had left him.
He sat in a spot without sunlight, looking like an abandoned child. Tears slowly welled up in his eyes.
I felt a pang of sympathy when I saw him sitting there alone.
I reached out instinctively and held his hand that was resting on the table. “Don’t be sad. Grandma is in heaven now, watching over us. Let me come with you when you pay her a visit, okay?”
Matthew looked up in surprise. He took my hand in his palm and covered it with his other hand.
His hand was large, warm, and strong.
My face started to heat up. I was sure I was blushing.
I wanted to pull my hand back, but he held it tightly and refused to let go.
My heart thumped rapidly, like the beating of war drums.
1/2
After several unsuccessful attempts to free my hand, I let him hold it.
+15 BONUS
That morning, my heart softened when I saw a grown–up who had liked me for years saddened over his beloved grandmother. I wanted to comfort him, to make him feel better.
“Lulu, I’m so happy. Really, I’m very happy. Thank you,” he said, pressing my hand against his face.
Matthew’s eyes were brimming with affection and contentment.
I couldn’t believe letting him hold my hand like this could make him so happy. It seemed he was easily satisfied.
“Lulu, I’ll make you fall deeply in love with me, just like how I love you.”
I couldn’t respond. I felt too shy to even look at him. Again, I tried to withdraw my hand, but Matthew held it tighter. He refused to let go.
After spending a day in observation at the hospital, the doctor said I didn’t have a fever and could be discharged.
Matthew was not happy. He muttered discontentedly, “What kind of hospital is this? They said nothing’s wrong with you after getting drenched in rain? You should stay hospitalized for a few more days for observation.”
I laughed. “So, you want me to be sick, huh?”
“No, I just don’t want you to be discharged. If you leave the hospital, you’ll go back to your apartment, and I won’t be able to stay with you all the time. I don’t want to be apart from you.”
I was torn between laughter and tears as I watched him pack up my things while sulking.
He held my hand all the way to my apartment. He kept saying sweet nothings until 1 couldn’t lift my head from embarrassment. Finally, he let me go inside.
“I’ll video call you tonight. Remember to wait for me,” he said. He was unwilling to move from his spot as he watched me go.
My heart softened seeing him like that.
This man who had cherished me since we were children might just be my destiny.