Chapter 1319:

“It’s in your blood. It’s something deeper than time or distance.”

Elyse fell silent, the weight of Felicia’s words leaving her momentarily at a loss.

“You remind me so much of Rickey,” Felicia continued, her voice soft. “You lack his carefree spirit, but your mother’s determination and strength shine brightly in you.”

Elyse blinked, puzzled by the sudden turn in their conversation. Felicia had always shunned the past, treating her memories of Rickey like fragile glass, hidden away and untouched. The mention of Elyse’s parents and even the violin—things once forbidden—had been like opening wounds too deep to bear.

Summoning her courage, Elyse broke the silence.

“I don’t know much about my parents. I’ve never even met them.”

A rueful chuckle escaped Felicia’s lips.

“That may be my doing,” she admitted, her voice tinged with regret. “Had I not been so stubborn, Rickey wouldn’t have left with your mother. You might have grown up by my side instead of a world away.”

Elyse recognized the ache in Felicia’s words—a longing for what might have been. Perhaps, after the rift with Thea and her father, Felicia had come to see things through a different lens. Nostalgia had softened her once rigid heart.

“Grandma,” Elyse ventured after a pause, “My dad thought of you often. He just knew you wouldn’t accept him as he was, so he wanted to prove himself—to show that he could build a happy life for himself and my mom. That’s why he started his own company.”

Felicia’s eyes glistened as Elyse’s words seeped into her heart. A faint murmur passed her lips, barely audible.

“Is that so? He thought of me… all along? And he only wanted to prove himself?”

Elyse nodded, her expression solemn.

“He did. His dream was to return to you one day, proud and accomplished, bringing my mom and me with him.”

Tears welled up in Felicia’s eyes, spilling over like a dam finally giving way. She dabbed at them with trembling hands, her voice a tapestry of sorrow and regret.

“What a cruel twist of fate. What a pity.”

Rickey’s life had been cruelly cut short before he could realize his dreams. Felicia was left with the bitter truth that her understanding had come too late—when reconciliation was no longer an option.

Her gaze grew distant, fixed on memories only she could see. After a long silence, she spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Elyse, do you resent me? For how I treated you? For ignoring you? For failing to be the grandmother you deserved? Did I disappoint you?”

Elyse bit her lip, hesitating before replying. “To say it didn’t hurt would be a lie. But I never really had a grandmother’s love to lose. So, after a while, I just let it go.”

Felicia shook her head slowly, her voice heavy with contrition.

“My dear, I was wrong. I see that now. Please, don’t hold it against me. I’ll change.”

“Please don’t say that,” Elyse whispered, her tone soft but firm. . . .