&quot;Vivienne, what happened to your head? How did you get hurt? Is it serious?&quot; Grandpa asked weakly, his voice raspy with concern as he looked at the bandages on my head.

 Even though Grandpa was so ill, he still worried about my minor injury. My heart ached, and tears welled up in my eyes.

 &quot;What’s wrong? Does it hurt a lot?&quot; Grandpa asked, his heart heavy as he saw the hurt look on my face.

 I quickly shook my head. &quot;Pop-Pop, don’t worry. It’s just a small bump. It’s nothing serious, and it doesn’t hurt at all.&quot;

 &quot;You need to take better care of yourself. Don’t end up like me. My body’s failing, and I don’t have much time left,&quot; Grandpa said, his voice weak.

 &quot;No. Pop-Pop, please don’t say that. You’re going to get better. You’ll live a long, healthy life,&quot; I said, my voice trembling, tears threatening to spill again.

 &quot;Why are

An hour had passed since breakfast.

 I figured Grandpa must have woken up by now, so I went to the hospital with Alexander.

 When we entered the room, we found two more people—Alexander's second aunt and a more distant cousin. In the corner, there were several boxes of gifts, clearly from visitors who had come to pay their respects.

 &quot;Ah, Alexander, Vivienne’s here.&quot;

 &quot;Second Aunt, Cousin,&quot; I greeted them as I walked in with Alexander.

 Looking around, it seemed Grandpa still hadn’t woken up.

 &quot;Why don’t you sit next to Nana?&quot; Alexander said softly to me.

 There was a table and two chairs between us, but he was worried I wouldn’t be able to see clearly, so he guided me over and sat me down on the sofa next to Evelyn.

 &quot;The young couple really gets along well,&quot; Alexander’s second aunt teased, smiling at us.

 She’d probably seen the news abo

The sky had completely darkened. Evelyn looked at Alexander and said, &quot;Alexander, waiting here isn't helping. Vivienne still has a head injury. Why don't you two go back? Once your grandfather comes out of surgery, Sebastian can call you.&quot;

 I immediately shook my head. &quot;No, I’m not leaving. I want to stay here with you and wait.&quot; I tightly linked my arm with Evelyn's. &quot;Nana, I have to be here when Pop-Pop comes out of the operating room. No matter what happens, I want to be the first to see him.&quot;

 &quot;Nana, we’ll stay here with you,&quot; Alexander added.

 Evelyn saw our determination and didn't argue further.

 Another two hours passed before the door to the operating room finally opened.

 I, Alexander, Sebastian, and Grandmother Hawthorne all stood up, gathering near the door, anxiously waiting for the doctor’s update.

 &quot;Dr. Whitaker, how’s my 

&quot;Vivienne, what happened to your head? How did you get hurt? Is it serious?&quot; Grandpa asked weakly, his voice raspy with concern as he looked at the bandages on my head.

 Even though Grandpa was so ill, he still worried about my minor injury. My heart ached, and tears welled up in my eyes.

 &quot;What’s wrong? Does it hurt a lot?&quot; Grandpa asked, his heart heavy as he saw the hurt look on my face.

 I quickly shook my head. &quot;Pop-Pop, don’t worry. It’s just a small bump. It’s nothing serious, and it doesn’t hurt at all.&quot;

 &quot;You need to take better care of yourself. Don’t end up like me. My body’s failing, and I don’t have much time left,&quot; Grandpa said, his voice weak.

 &quot;No. Pop-Pop, please don’t say that. You’re going to get better. You’ll live a long, healthy life,&quot; I said, my voice trembling, tears threatening to spill again.

 &quot;Why are you crying like a little kid?&quot; Grandpa asked, reaching out to wipe the tears from my face.

 &

Chapter 44