Chapter 65

Logan.

"If you're not going to talk, then leave," the woman's voice cut through the silence. I took in a deep breath. I don't know why I was getting so nervous, maybe because of the look she was giving me. I hadn't felt this nervous in a while. I think even if I went for a job interview I wouldn't be this nervous.

"Grandma, first of all, I won't beat around the bush. I'll be straightforward with you," I began.

She raised an eyebrow. I continued, "You should be thankful that you've had the chance to still be alive at this stage of life. Some people your age are battling with incurable conditions. The doctor didn't say you're suffering from cancer or a deadly disease. You have a chance to stand up on your feet."

"If you're trying to preach to me, it won't work," she spat.

"Call it whatever you want, but I'm going to change your mind. You're going to get the kidney transplant. You shouldn't be selfish. You're the only family Olivia has. You saw how she cried earlier. I don't think you should even think twice before agreeing. I've promised myself that I won't let her shed tears of sadness again. I'll give her the happiness she deserves, to pay the price of her kindness."

A small smile found its way to my lips. "I don't know what your reasons are for not wanting to see me with Olivia. But I want you to know that she has become a part of me. I can't see my life moving forward without her. She has brought a lot of changes not only to my life but also to my family. I love your granddaughter so much, and I would appreciate it if you give us your blessings," I concluded, focusing my full attention on the woman.

Something flickered in her eyes, a mixture of sadness and fear. I hoped my confession would move her, not only for the blessing but also for her agreement to the transplant. I heard her exhale.

"You've left me speechless," she said, a light chuckle escaping her lips. I joined in.

But the smile on her face lasted barely two seconds when sadness clouded her face. "Olivia is my precious granddaughter. I know what she went through when her parents left her in my care. I had my reasons for reacting that way toward you. I had wanted not to tell Olivia because it would break her. However, after seeing the way you two have been around each other, the way you stood by her side, it made me realize that the truth will not change anything."

"What truth? I don't know if it's just me, but Olivia is the strongest woman I've ever seen. She deserves to know the truth. It's up to her if she can handle it or not," I voiced.

The woman's eyes suddenly welled up. "Grandma, I-" She lifted her hand, stopping me.

"I'm fine. They are tears of joy," she said. I was caught off guard when she reached for my hand. The warmth from her hand instantly enveloped me. And not only that, it reminded me of how my mother used to warm me up whenever she held my hand. I blinked my eyes to stop myself from getting emotional.

"I'm sorry for how I treated you in the past. I don't harbor any hatred towards you. And you're right. Seeing Olivia happy will make me happy too. I think she has found her happiness. For someone to go to such lengths and leave everything behind to support a woman, they truly love her. You don't have to try hard anymore. We're family," she said, rubbing her thumb on my hand. Only if she knew how soothing that was, how the gesture warmed my heart. It felt as if I was seated together with my mother.

"Does that mean you've given us your blessings?" I lifted a brow.

"Did I speak in riddles?" she retorted, making me chuckle. "Just promise me you won't make her sad. I won't hesitate to burn down your whole family's house and Nero's company." That widened my smile even more.

"That means you've agreed to get the kidney transplant."

"When did you hear me say that!" She jerked my hand away. I lost the warmth I was enjoying.

"It doesn't matter. You have given me your blessing. I'm giving you an order as your new son-in-law. You're getting the transplant done. You don't have to worry about the donor and the payment. It will all be taken care of. That's why you have a rich son-in-law," I teased, winking at her.

In return, I received a glare from her. "Who is rich? For that mere company? I'm sure if Nero was here he'd be feeling himself."

"Wait, Grandma, why do you keep calling my father by his first name? Do you guys..." I trailed off, hoping she'd fill me in. I recalled her earlier reaction when Olivia and I first arrived, where she mentioned that she didn't want Olivia involved with my family. Then, she had said it would break Olivia if she knew the truth.

"Did my father offend Olivia's parents in the past?" I asked again. Given how my father had handled things in the past, it wouldn't be surprising if he had been involved with Olivia's parents.

The calmness that had once been on the woman's face was replaced by something else. "I think I should let you guys know, even though it's not really something big. I had promised not to let her know, but it doesn't matter anymore. It's up to her, as you said, whether she will be able to take it or not. Can you call her?"

"Sure," I replied, taking out my phone and texting Olivia. I took in a deep breath as silence filled the room. What could my father have possibly done to Olivia's family? I hoped it wouldn't create a rift between me and Olivia; the thought scared me.

"You guys are done talking already?" Olivia asked as she walked into the room.

"It seems so. Grandma wants to talk to both of us." Grandma and I exchanged looks. At some point, I felt like the woman was nervous.

"Really? Did you manage to melt her heart, Logan?" Olivia teased as she occupied the bed, while I took the stool.

"I had done more than that," I answered, forming my lips into a thin line. The woman cleared her throat.

"Olivia. Logan," she called out, making us focus our attention on her. "If I want to, I can hold it inside me forever. But after much thought, I realized you need to know the reason for my behavior towards Logan."

"Are you willing to share it now?" Olivia asked.

"Yes. I'm not going to share it not to create any misunderstanding between you two, but because it is the right thing to do. Logan, you're right. I know your father personally. Olivia's father had worked for him before." Olivia and I exchanged a look.

"I won't say they were best buddies, but they got along. Nero trusted him with his business. Reed's everyday conversations were about how kind Nero was towards him. However, you know in the business world, we fail and we lose. Reed somehow got into trouble and used the money given to him by Nero to keep. That was how the misunderstanding started. Nero humiliated your father and chased him out of his company."

"At some point, Nero didn't do anything wrong, since he trusted him and gave him that sum to keep. But then again, the humiliation shouldn't have happened. Since then, your father had lost his job and also had gone through a tough time raising you."

It took me some time to process the woman's words. I know my father doesn't handle business lightly, but I didn't expect him to behave in such a way. To the point of humiliating someone because of a mistake. It might be he needed the money for something urgent.

"It might sound silly since I wasn't the victim. But I was there, which was why I reacted that way when you introduced yourself as Nero's son. I didn't want to be reminded of the past and was afraid of my daughter getting involved with people who don't value humanity. However, I guess not all people are the same. You are not your father." I don't know whether I was supposed to find comfort in her words, but they did strike something in me.

Olivia was still silent, even at that time. Fear crept into me at the thought of her reaction to the revelation.

"Olivia," Grandma called.

"Huh?"

"Are you okay?" She asked. Olivia cracked a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Yeah. I guess this is one shocking revelation. I didn't know this was the reason why you were being hard on Logan." She shifted her gaze to me and offered a smile.

"What happened was between them and it was in the past. It can't define our present or future. What I know is, Logan will take care of me. He loves me so much. You don't have to worry about anything, Grandma."

If I say I wasn't taken aback by Olivia's words, I would be lying. I was worried she would tell me to leave her. I didn't know when I took hold of her hand and placed a light kiss on them.

"Logan is my husband. I am not leaving him just because of a little problem from the past. Just give us your blessing and wish me a safe delivery." She retorted placing a hand on her big bump.

A smile broke at Grandma's lips. "I have already given my blessing. The way he was sticking around you, I had no choice."

Olivia chuckled in return. "We are inseparable, Grandma. Without Olivia, there would be no Logan," Olivia retorted.

"And without Logan, there's no Olivia," I added, placing another kiss on our intertwined hands.

"You have no shame. Kissing in front of me!" Grandma hissed, smacking me on the back.

"We will be careful next time. Why don't you get some rest while Olivia and I take care of your restaurant? We made quite a reasonable amount at the first opening. The luck that comes with your son-in-law." I didn't forget to wink at the end.

Before she could smack me for the second time, I jumped up together with Olivia, and we charged towards the door. "I love you, Grandma. Get well soon and scold your son-in-law well," Olivia said with a giggle before we made our way out.