Chapter 440

The large, carpeted room felt tranquil. An elderly gentleman sat by the window, his gaze distant as he watched the falling snow. The beautiful scene fostered a sense of peace.

However, the gentleman sat not in an ordinary chair, but in a wheelchair. Despite its sturdy, high-tech appearance, it remained a wheelchair.

"Grandpa?" Lily called, her voice trembling.

What's wrong with him? she wondered.

"You're back!" Wilfred replied softly, his eyes fixed on the snow.

Lily quickly approached him, stopping before his chair. Hesitantly, she paused. Only then did the elderly gentleman turn to face her. He was as she remembered, yet different. His hair was whiter, his face more lined, and his eyes, though peaceful and kind, lacked their former sharpness.

Had her absence softened him? In that moment, Lily realized her grandfather might not hate her as much as she'd believed. Wilfred surveyed her. "You've grown up," he said, his voice laced with relief and regret. The little girl who'd barely reached his waist had become a woman; now, he looked up at her. Such was life—the younger generation replacing the older.

His legs look fine, but the wheelchair…

"Grandpa, your legs…" Lily asked hesitantly.

"Grandpa's got gout," Justin, standing behind her, explained. "He can't stand or walk most of the time. Occasionally, he can manage if the pain isn't too bad. It's an old ailment—he's had it for years."

Lily had never known about her grandfather's condition. The Lodge family had kept it from her, even while keeping tabs on her life. Her perceived estrangement had been a unilateral belief; she was still a member of the family.

Gently, Lily placed her hand on Wilfred's knee. She was relieved no one objected. "The doctors can't cure him?" she asked.

"There's no cure. Usually, it's manageable, but when it flares up…" Justin began.

"All right, it's not a big deal. Old people get aches and pains," Wilfred interrupted impatiently, silencing Justin. "I heard you won an award recently?" he asked, lowering his head.

"Yes, a perfumery competition. It's nothing major," Lily replied. She was still far from her ultimate goal.

Wilfred smiled briefly. "I'm surprised you continued with it. Excellent." He noticed her hand on his knee and took it. "Stand up."

Lily was stunned as he clasped her hand and pulled her to her feet. As she stood, her eyes involuntarily dropped to his knees. It probably hurts terribly, even if he says it's nothing, she thought.