Chapter 484

Chapter 484

Amelia didn't take it too seriously. After all, what was there to fuss over with children?

Chris, however, was far from pleased when he found out. For a while, he deliberately made time to personally drop off and pick up the kids, and he showed Olivia extra affection. After that, there were no more incidents of Raymond writing love letters to her.

Amelia was glad to see Chris handle it this way.

A few years later, she had grown more mature and composed, able to handle situations with ease. But when it came to family and close friends, her emotions still ran deep.

One day, Greta called and asked them to come over.

For the past two years, Lucius had been recuperating in the countryside. Despite everyone’s efforts to slow the progression of his illness, they ultimately couldn’t stop fate from taking its course.

Lucius's villa was halfway up the mountain, surrounded by forest on three sides. It was so quiet that even the rustling of leaves could be heard clearly.

When Amelia and Chris arrived, Greta was already waiting at the door.

Over the past three years, she had devoted herself entirely to caring for Lucius. Though she tried to remain cheerful and optimistic, everyone knew how much pain she was hiding.

"Amelia, Chris." Greta stepped forward, her voice slightly hoarse. "Lucius is waiting for you in the study."

Amelia took her sister’s cold hand. “Why did you call us over so suddenly? How is Mr. Howard doing?"

"He's actually been doing better lately,” Greta said with a forced smile. “He can eat on his own now, and he insists on taking care of himself. Yesterday, I even wheeled him into the garden for a while to read.”

Amelia squeezed her hand gently. "That's good."

In the study, Lucius sat in his wheelchair, a dark gray blanket over his lap.

Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting striped shadows across his gaunt face.

Over the years, despite his efforts, he had lost a lot of weight, and his features had become sharper.

When he saw Amelia and Chris enter, he lifted his left hand slightly in greeting, a faint smile on his lips.

"You're here. Sit." he said hoarsely, though his eyes remained as clear as ever.

Amelia sat down with a soft smile. "Mr. Howard, you look much better than last time I saw you."

Lucius gave a faint chuckle. “Probably just a final burst of energy before the end.”

Greta turned sharply. "Don't say that!"

“Just a joke.” Lucius looked at her, his gaze gentle but apologetic.

After a moment of silence, he turned to Chris. "The documents are on the desk. They've been notarized. Take a look, please."

Chris's brow furrowed slightly. He obviously guessed what this was about.

He walked over and picked up the stack of documents. As he quickly scanned through them, his frown deepened. "Are you sure you want to arrange it this way?"

"I'm sure." Lucius's voice was soft, but every word was firm. "All my assets—the Spencer Group shares, real estate, investment funds—everything goes to Greta. As for the company... she's not good at running businesses. Could you continue managing it and just give her dividends according to her share percentage?"

Hearing this, Greta's whole body shook, and the teacup in her hand fell to the floor. "I don't want it! Lucius, what are you saying?"

Lucius didn't answer immediately. Instead, he motioned for Amelia to take out an envelope from the drawer.

Amelia did as asked. Inside the envelope was a key and several photos.

She glanced at them and couldn't help but feel her nose tingle with tears.

A young Lucius standing on an award podium, full of confidence; Lucius at a negotiation table, sharp and formidable; Lucius holding Greta's hand as they walked into their wedding ceremony, his eyes full of tenderness.

"This is me." Lucius pointed at the photos, then pointed at himself in the wheelchair. "This is not."

Amelia suddenly understood. Her chest felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, making it hard to breathe.

"We all know what the final stage of ALS looks like," Lucius said calmly. "I want to hand things over to you while I can still talk, while I can still sign. I can only feel at ease giving them to you."

Tears streamed down Greta's face as she rushed over and hugged his arm, saying softly, "I don't care! I'll take care of you, I'll always take care of you..."

Lucius gently stroked his wife's hair with his functioning right hand, his gaze so tender it was heartbreaking. "But I care."

He looked at Amelia. "Amelia, you understand, don't you?"

Amelia's expression was complicated as she nodded.

She understood Lucius too well.

He not only had his own pride, but also wanted to give Greta a good future and closure.

But for those left behind, this was itself a form of torture.

After leaving the study, Greta took Amelia to the garden.

The early summer breeze carried the scent of flowers. In the distance, mountain ranges rose and fell—the scenery was almost unreal in its beauty.

"I don't understand why he's suddenly like this," Greta sighed softly, her emotions finally calming down. "Last week's checkup showed his condition was stable. He even joked about being there for my fortieth birthday."

Amelia looked at her sister's innocent profile, and somehow, an ominous feeling grew stronger in her heart.

She knew that look in Lucius's eyes too well. It was the look of someone who had made a certain decision, one that no one could interfere with.

"Greta, I'm a bit worried." Amelia chose her words carefully. "Recently... arrange for a few more people to watch him. Especially when the caregiver isn't around."

Greta's hand froze in mid-air. "Amelia, are you worried he'll..."

"Just in case." Amelia gripped her sister's shoulder. "But don't be too obvious about it. Don't let him notice."

Greta's face instantly turned pale.

She remembered waking up one night to find Lucius staring at the ceiling, his eyes filled with a sadness and pain she had never seen before.

"I... I'll stay with him every moment." Greta's voice trembled as tears poured out uncontrollably again.

That evening, Greta sent a message.

"Amelia, I did what you said. We installed cameras in the bedroom and study. Caregivers are on 24-hour rotation."

Amelia felt slightly relieved and silently prayed that Lucius would get better.

Chris wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Don't worry too much. Lucius loves Greta so much, he won't do anything foolish."

Amelia leaned into his embrace, murmuring, "It's precisely because he loves her that he might..."

Over the next week, Greta barely left Lucius's side.

She wheeled him to the garden, watched movies with him, and when they had time, chatted with him about their future.

Lucius saw all of this but showed no reaction.

On the seventh night, it started raining again.

Greta was washing up in the bathroom when she suddenly heard Lucius call her.

"Greta, I'd like some of your mushroom soup."

Greta poked her head out of the bathroom, still wearing a face mask. "Now? It's almost ten o'clock."

Lucius's eyes were calm and peaceful, with a hint of a smile. "I just suddenly miss that taste."

"Alright." Greta peeled off the mask. "But I don't know if there are any mushrooms left in the kitchen. It might take a while."

Lucius smiled. "No rush. I'll wait for you. I'll just read here for a bit. By the time you're done, I'll have just finished."