Chapter 211
I could hear Leopold saying something by my ear, but I couldn't make out a single word.
My entire being felt disconnected, letting him manipulate me however he wanted.
"Lucinda."
"Lucinda?"
"Lucinda!"
I suddenly snapped back, staring at him in a daze.
"Don't be like this. Dr. Moore only mentioned the worst possible outcome, but as things stand now, your condition isn't flaring up frequently, which means we haven't reached the worst step yet." Leopold stroked my head, trying to comfort me.
I looked up at him, my gaze somewhat unfocused. "That's just an excuse for self-comfort. Dr. Moore said this type of damage is irreversible. In the future, I'll become a body without sensation or cognition."
"No, you won't!" Leopold cupped my face forcefully, his voice so low it was hoarse. "I promise you—I will never let you become like that."
Another promise.
Another useless vow.
I suddenly lost control, pushing him away forcefully and shouting, "What time is it, and you're still lying to me! Even Dr. Moore can't guarantee he can control my condition. What gives you the right to promise I won't become the worst version?"
Leopold's eyes were deep and complex. "I'm not lying to you."
"Haven't you lied to me enough?" Like someone who'd been triggered, I hurled harsh words one after another. "I was with you for ten years, but I couldn't compare to Sophia's one year."
"In the three years since she came back, how many lies have you told? How many times have you hurt me? Your promises mean nothing to me—they're like wind I can't grasp, completely useless!"
Leopold pressed his lips tight, his face slightly pale. "I'm sorry. Before, I was self-righteous, but I truly don't want to give up on you or see you suffer."
"Then stay away from me!"
I spoke my true feelings.
Though the illness made me break down, what broke me down even more was him.
In the ten years I was with him, though I suffered, I was also truly happy.
But that bit of happiness couldn't erase the harm he'd caused me.
If I were destined for a terrible ending, I hoped my remaining time could be absolutely free.
But when I said those words, Leopold's figure suddenly swayed. As if he'd suffered a major blow and couldn't quite bear it.
"Mr. Percy!" Teddy and Barry appeared in time, trying to support him.
But Leopold waved them away.
He looked at me, his eyes full of devotion and pain. "Lucinda, except for that request, I'll do anything you ask."
Even at this point, he was still forcing me.
I felt the suffocating sensation in my chest intensify, blurting out, "Then go die! If you die, I'll forgive you!"
"Ms. Wipere, how can you say such a thing!" Barry couldn't help speaking out.
I looked at him sharply. "What business is it of yours!"
"All of you, stand back," Leopold spoke coldly.
Teddy didn't dare hesitate, pulling Barry back to a short distance away.
Seeing that I was very angry, Leopold immediately softened his tone. "I'm sorry, I can't agree to that request. If I died, then if someone bullies you, I wouldn't be able to stand up for you."
I laughed coldly. "Haven't you heard the saying—belated affection is cheaper than grass?"
Leopold's expression tightened for a moment, then relaxed again. "Lucinda, I know I was too much of a bastard before, leaving you unable to trust me. I'm telling you this not to force you, and certainly not to take advantage of your vulnerability."
"I just want to tell you that being sick is very difficult, and I don't want you to face it alone."
"I'm afraid you'll be in pain with no one to comfort you, afraid you'll cry with no one to console you."
"Just let me stay by your side, even as a friend. Is that okay?"
This was the lowest posture Leopold had assumed in the ten years I'd known him.
To say I wasn't touched at all would be a lie.
But forgiving him—I still couldn't do it.
On the way back to Bayview Villas, Leopold suddenly received a call from Percy Manor. His expression immediately changed.
"Teddy, to the hospital."
I was about to refuse when I heard him say, "Grandmother coughed up blood. The doctor issued a critical condition notice and asked all family members to be present."
Hearing this, I said nothing more.
Soon, we arrived at the hospital.
The surgery light was still on.
Amelia was keeping watch at the door. Seeing us, she quickly came over.
"Leopold, Cindy."
"How is Grandmother?" Leopold looked at the operating room door and asked in a low voice.
Amelia shook her head. "I don't know either. Grandmother came to Percy Manor today to see Grandfather. Not long after they met, they started arguing. Shortly after, Grandmother coughed up blood."
Leopold frowned. "We'll wait until the doctor comes out."
Before long, David and Harper also arrived.
Donovan came with them.
"Cindy, you really came back!"
Seeing me, Donovan was very excited, urging the butler to push him over.
I quickly went to meet him.
Looking at his pallid face and the additional wrinkles on it, I felt terrible inside. "Grandfather, haven't you been resting well? Why is your complexion still not good?"
"It's nothing." Donovan quickly shook his head. "When people get old, this is just how it is. But seeing you makes me very happy. Come visit me at Percy Manor more often from now on. Don't leave..."
Looking at him, I didn't quite know how to respond.
When I reached an agreement with Alicia, he had been present too.
Now that he was telling me not to leave—was it because he couldn't bear to let me go, or had Alicia changed her mind?
"Dad, we've already canceled our engagement with the Wipere family. Isn't it inappropriate for Lucinda to be here?" David spoke with veiled sarcasm from the side.
Donovan's expression darkened. "So what if the engagement is canceled? I watched Cindy grow up. She's like my own granddaughter. If you have an opinion, keep it to yourself!"
David grew angry and was about to speak.
But Harper pulled him back.
David was even more irritated, shaking off her hand and going to sit elsewhere.
Amelia quickly supported Harper and took her to sit down nearby.
Throughout, she didn't say a word to David.
David immediately became displeased, saying coldly, "Amelia, are you mute or blind? I'm a living person right here. Can't you see me?"
Amelia didn't even look at him properly, saying flatly, "I saw you."
David stood up abruptly. "You saw me, and you still don't acknowledge me? What, you've grown up now and can just ignore your own father?"
Only then did Amelia look at him. "Are you fit to be a father?"
That sentence instantly ignited David's emotions. "How dare you speak to me like that? Are you looking to die!"
"David, say one more word and get out!" Donovan coldly reprimanded.
Hearing this, David had no choice but to stop, returning angrily to his seat.
"Don't keep standing. Come, sit over there and have a good chat with me." After Donovan softened his expression, he pulled me up to sit and chat nearby.
We'd barely exchanged a few words when the operating room light went out.
The doctor came out to inform us that Alicia had temporarily passed the danger and would soon be transferred to a ward for observation.
We all breathed a sigh of relief.
Just then, the doctor asked, "Is the family member named Lucinda here?"
I stood up suspiciously. "I'm here."
"The patient said that when she wakes up, she wants to speak with you privately."