âSis!â Justin cried out lowly, rushing forward to support Josie.
Josie gripped his hand as though clutching at a lifeline. She murmured, âTake me to the hospital.â
If one listened closely, her voice was audibly choked.
The floor where Henry was hospitalized was sealed off. Besides the medical staff coming and going, everyone else was stopped outside.
When Josie arrived, the place was filled with members of the Russell familyâs branch family. Claudia and Heather were also among them, the latter pacing anxiously. When she looked up and saw Josie, she was briefly stunned.
âYouâre here?â
Josie likewise looked at her. Since she is here despite having nearly died, the news from Justin must be true.
Upon seeing her, Claudia instinctively stepped in front of Heather. That action had some emotion start brewing in her eyes, but they quickly subsided.
She walked straight up, her voice trembling. âLet me in The bodyguards in charge of keeping everyone out were of the Russell family. At that, they were caught in a dilemma. âWeâre sorry, but Mr. Russell has ordered that no one is to be allowed in.â
From that angle, one could see a solitary figure standing at the end of the corridor. He stared at the red light above the operation room, his back radiating a sense of intense loneliness.
Larry was by his side.
Sometime later, the doctor stepped out of the operating room and approached the figure standing there. He said something or other before bowing deeply.
Josie watched from afar. Her legs gave way once again, and tears streamed down his face.
Subsequently, Larry sprinted over. At the sight of him, the eyes of the people at the back lit exclaimed, âMr. Peeple!â
Heather Pushing past the bodyguards, Larry focused solely on Josie, panting heavily. âQuick, Mrs. Russell!
Hurry!â
Josieâs mind went blank. She followed him straight into the corridor. After a few steps, she broke into a run and sprinted toward the operating room.
It was just like when she was a child and joyfully ran to Henryâs arms. Back then, he would scoop her up and spin her around a few times before saying with a grin, âGood girl, Leanne. Have some candy.â
However, the person awaiting her then was an elderly man with gray hair lying amidst a pile of medical equipment, no longer capable of carrying her.
âGrandpa, itâs me, Dex.â Beside the operating table, Dexter knelt down and held his grandfatherâs cold hand, his eyes red-rimmed.
âPlease look at meâ¦â
confirmed that he was still alive.
Is eyes. The faint sound of the medical equipment He strugglingly repeated, âJ-Jo⦠I-I want to see Joâ¦â
Josie had already entered the operating room. She cried out to Henry and fell to her knees on the other side of the operating table, clutching his hand tightly. âIâm here, Grandpa. Iâve come. Please donât leave me.â
Henry turned his head with much difficulty and looked at her. âYouâre here, Jo.â
Josie nodded fervently, too choked up to speak.
âWhy are you crying? I get to see you in my final moments, so I have no regrets.â With an oxygen mask on his face, Henry slowly said, âYouâre the one Iâm most worried about.â
Sobbing. Josie held his gaze and assured, âIâm doing well, Grandpa.â
Henry looked at her. He wanted to touch her face but had no strength left after his hand lifted halfway.
Josie leaned her face into his hand, her tears scorching âDex is lucky to have married you. You two must⦠must⦠get along well and not fight⦠Iâm entrusting him to you. Please take good care of him for me.â
As Henry spoke, he pulled Dexterâs hand over and placed it atop Josieâs hand.
A gentle warmth enveloped the couple, and their gazes meet in the air.
To keep Henry from worrying, no one told him that they were already divorced.
Dexter immediately grasped Josieâs hand and promised. âOkay, Grandpa. We will definitely do that.â
Josie also reacted quickly. âWe give you our promise, Grandpa.â
Henryâs breathing gradually weakened. âYou two were together previously⦠and will still be together in the futureâ¦â
After he had said that, his strength faded, and his withered hand slipped down.
âGrandpa!â