When William pushed the door open and entered, Camelia was getting up to pour a glass of warm water. As soon as she saw William, she was startled and even almost dropped the cup in her hand.
âWilliam, youâ¦youâre here?â Cameliaâs face showed surprise and joy. She quickly put down her cup and walked towards him, âYour grandfather just fell asleep. Iâll wake him up now. Heâll be very happy to see you.â
William smiled and nodded, âThank you, Camelia. Iâve missed him a lot.â
Camelia led William to his grandfatherâs room and gently woke him up. The old manâs eyes slowly opened, and when he saw William, his face lit up with a big smile.
âWilliam, my boy! Youâve finally come to visit me,â his grandfather exclaimed, his voice filled with joy.
William walked over and hugged his grandfather tightly, âIâm sorry I havenât been able to visit sooner, Grandpa. How have you been?â
They spent the rest of the afternoon catching up and reminiscing about old times. William was grateful for the opportunity to spend time with his beloved grandfather.
âNo need,â William said coldly. âSince heâs already asleep, let him sleep.â
âWell⦠why donât you sit down first and let me pour you a glass of water?â Camelia offered.
âNo, thank you,â William declined, and Grace remained standing without any intention of sitting down.
âThen⦠would you like something to eat or drink? I can go to the convenience store on the first floor of the hospital and buy something for you. Itâs still open,â Camelia suggested again.
âI donât want to eat or drink anything,â William said expressionlessly. âI came here today just to ask why you came to Emerald City. Isnât it better to stay in Deer Capital? Or is it because you want something from me?â
âWe⦠we came to Emerald City just to see you. We really donât have any other intentions. Your grandfatherâs health is not good, so he misses you even more. The other day in Deer Capital, we happened to meet a classmate of yours who said you were studying at Stanford University, so we came over,â Camelia explained. âWe really didnât expect that our visit would cause you so much trouble. Your grandfather blames himself for getting sick.â
As Camelia spoke, she wept, no longer the haughty socialite she once was, but a helpless and heartbroken old woman.
Yet Williamâs face remained unmoved. âSelf-blame? When Lily died and left me alone, did you feel any self-blame when you knew I would be sent to a welfare home but refused to come get me? Did you feel any self-blame then?â
Camelia was at a loss for words. âOur living conditions were poor at the time, and we couldnât afford to raise you, soâ¦so we thought that going to a welfare home might be better for you.â
âSo you left me there without a second thought, without even bothering to come see me,â William said.
Cameliaâs face was filled with guilt. She opened her mouth to speak, but in the end, nothing came out.
âOr is it because youâre afraid of being implicated? Afraid that even if you just glance at me, the Reed family will come after you? Afraid that the Reed family will retaliate against you? So you just decided to ignore me altogether.â
As soon as these words were spoken, Cameliaâs expression immediately turned guilty and uneasy.
Even though she didnât say anything, William knew that he had guessed correctly.
He suddenly chuckled, âYou were afraid before, but now youâre not. Is it because you know that my relationship with the Reed family is good and that they wonât blame you? If I hadnât been adopted by the Reed family for a period of time, would you still dare to appear in front of me and admit that youâre my grandparents?â
âI know we were wrong to you before. These years, weâve been thinking about you and hoping that youâre doing well. We didnât want to disturb you, but⦠your grandfatherâs health has been declining these years, and he really wanted to see you, to talk to you for a bit,â Camelia murmured. âWilliam, please forgive us. Weâre not asking for anything, we just hope that you can forgive us so that we can die in peace as two old folks.â
Williamâs face turned cold as he spoke to Grace, âWhat gives you the right to ask for my forgiveness?
You never raised me for a day, let alone all these years, and now you come asking for my forgiveness.
Donât you think thatâs ridiculous?â