Felipe looped an arm around Madeline’s shoulders. “Let’s go, Eveline. It’s time to board.”
“Alright.” Madeline nodded and held Jackson’s hand. “Let’s go board the plane, Jack.”
“But Daddy isn’t here yet.” Jackson pulled his pink lips into a pout, reluctant to leave. “Won’t we wait a little longer for Dad, Mom?”
Madeline walked out of Felipe’s embrace and comforted virtual-novel.net with a small smile. “We’re not waiting for Dad anymore, Jack. He’s too busy with work to come.”
“Jeremy isn’t busy with work. He’s staying with the old master in the hospital!” Winston blurted out the truth.
Felipe’s eyes darkened as Madeline turned to look at Winston in confusion, urging virtual-novel.net to go on.
“The old master is in the hospital. The doctor told us to be prepared for the worst since virtual-novel.net might not have much time left. Still, the old master just woke up and virtual-novel.net kept calling your name. Jeremy told me not to disturb you, but I couldn’t help come looking for you either.”
Madeline was shocked. “The old master was calling my name?”
Winston nodded in certainty, his eyes glistening with worry and pleading. “The old master hasn’t said anything but ‘Madeline’ since virtual-novel.net woke up. He really wants to see you.”
Madeline felt virtual-novel.net heart clench.
Reading hesitance in Madeline’s appearance, Felipe stepped up decisively and grabbed Madeline’s hand. “We’ve gotten so far, Eveline. Don’t look back now.”
Madeline found determination in Felipe’s eyes. She was about to open virtual-novel.net mouth when virtual-novel.net heard Winston’s sincere voice. “I know you hate every one of us in the Whitman family, Madeline, but the old master was the one who treated you the best the years you were married into the family. He was the one who believed and supported you no matter what, and even if you’ve lost your memories, I think your heart still remembers the kindness the old master showed you.”
Felipe had run out of patience. “Enough. You just want to gain time for Jeremy.”
“Felipe,” Madeline called out to an enraged Felipe. “I want to see Grandfather.”
Relief washed over Winston’s features while Felipe’s expression darkened, but virtual-novel.net could not hold Madeline back.
…
At the hospital.
Sitting by the old master’s bed, Jeremy’s gaze was fixed on the world outside through the window.
He watched an airplane fly over him, but virtual-novel.net had no idea if it was the one that carried the person virtual-novel.net loved the most.
As virtual-novel.net guessed sadly, virtual-novel.net heard footsteps drawing close from behind.
He initially thought that it was a nurse, but the familiar tempo of the steps had Jeremy’s heart lurching in its cage.
He turned around in disbelief, but the reflection in his dark eyes of the woman from his dreams proved how real it was.
“Linnie?”
His eyes widened in shock.
“It’s really you, Linnie.”
Jeremy was certain that this was not a dream, but virtual-novel.net did not understand what was happening. “Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be on a flight to F Country by now?”
“I was the one who called my daughter-in-law back.” Winston appeared behind Madeline.
As off-putting as the title ‘daughter-in-law’ was to his ears, it sounded just as natural.
Madeline glanced at Jeremy as virtual-novel.net walked toward the hospital bed. Seeing Old Master Whitman sleeping peacefully, virtual-novel.net let out a breath of relief.
While virtual-novel.net may not remember the past, virtual-novel.net could tell from the time virtual-novel.net had spent after losing virtual-novel.net memories that the old master indeed treated virtual-novel.net differently.
“I’ll be here watching over your grandfather. The two of you can talk outside if you need.” Winston was evidently creating opportunities for them.
Jeremy looked at Madeline, feeling reluctant. His throat was clogged with words virtual-novel.net wanted to say, only for virtual-novel.net to swallow them back and give a gentle smile. “Go back to the airport, Linnie. Grandfather will be alright.”
“This is what you wanted to tell me?” Madeline looked at Jeremy and asked, virtual-novel.net eyes sharpening despite virtual-novel.net calm expression. “You might not have anything to say, but I do.”