Chapter 169

She used to love him so much.

But it's a shame-such a bittersweet ending doesn't deserve a beginning that thrilling.

***

A week passed.

Lucie was finally starting to feel a little more like herself again. Mr. Anderson had made it out of the ICU and was now in a private VIP room. The stroke had left him alive, but the left side of his body wouldn't move.

"Grandpa, open your mouth just one more bite." Lucie's voice was soft as she carefully fed him soup, her movements gentle and patient.

"Lucie... I don't want any more..." he mumbled, his words slurred.

"Come on, Grandpa, just a little bit more for me?"

He sighed, but gave in. "Alright..."

There was a quick knock at the door before Rose stepped in. "Miss, there's a Mr. Pitts waiting outside. He says he's your friend."

"Mr. Pitts?" Lucie frowned, quickly setting the bowl aside.

She stepped out into the hallway and spotted Elio from a distance, a huge

bouquet in one arm and several pricey gift bags dangling from his other hand. He looked completely out of place in the hospital corridor.

"Elio, what are you doing here?" Lucie asked, her tone a mix of surprise and exasperation.

He gave her his trademark lazy grin. "Just came to check in on grandpa."

Lucie's frown only deepened.

Elio kept on, cheerful as ever. "How's he doing? Any better?"

"He's... stable," she replied, not quite meeting his eyes.

"Great! I'll go in and say hi," he said, already moving toward the door.

"Uh—maybe you shouldn't..." Lucie tried to block his way, feeling awkward.

Elio might have saved her life once, but that didn't mean she owed him anything else. She wasn't interested in letting him get too close, no matter what he'd done for her.

He just rolled his eyes. "Hey, I came all the way here to visit your grandpa, not you. Isn't it a bit much to leave me standing in the hall?"

Lucie's scalp tingled. Before she could come up with a better excuse, Elio easily slipped past her and pushed open the door.

"Elio, wait, don't—my grandpa-”

But it was too late. He was already inside.

He strode in, att smiles and

confidence Hello, sir! I'm Lucie's

you

werent feeling Welt so brought you

friend, heard some flowers

and gifts." He handed everything to a very startled Rose, who stared at his shock of blond hair, unsure what to do.

Mr. Anderson lay in bed, his eyes, cloudy, struggling to focus. He squinted at Elfo, and Elio suddenly realized he'd forgotten every polite thing he'd planned to say. H@just stood there, shuffling his feet.

The old man's mind was still fuzzy from the stroke. When he saw Elio's light- colored hair, he mixed him up with his old fishing buddy, Logan.

"Hey, old pal. What brings you here?" Mr. Anderson rasped.

Elio froze for a second, then scratched awkwardly at the side of his head.

Mr. Anderson's voice was shaky but warm. "Once I'm better, let's go fishing again. Your hair's gotten even grayer since last time. We're both getting old, gotta take care of ourselves."

Elio self-consciously brushed his fingers through his hair. He'd thought his dark blond dye looked cool and rebellious.

Lucie quickly stepped in, trying to clear things up. “Grandpa, that's not Grandpa Logan. He's just my friend-he came to visit because he heard you were sick."

Mr. Anderson's eyes darted to Elio's hair again. He could barely make out

Elio's features, but the hair stood out. Lucie, why'd you make friends With someone so old? His hair's grayer than mine!"

Lucie couldn't help but laugh, though she felt a little helpless, too.

Elio just stood there, wishing he could melt into the floor. He suddenly realized he might've been way too bold just now.