Chapter 251
When Grace arrived at the Lambert residence, she went straight upstairs to visit Quentin. Upon opening the door to his room, she ran into Carmen, who was just about to leave.
Grace had expected some cold remarks from Carmen, but instead, Carmen was surprisingly polite, even saying, “You’re finally back. Go in. Your dad has been waiting for you.”
Grace was a little confused, but she still entered the room.
The scent of medicine still lingered in the room, and as Grace inhaled, her nose stung. She had thought that after resolving the contract issue, Quentin’s condition might improve, but he looked even thinner now.
A wave of guilt washed over her. Quentin had done nothing wrong, but with both of his daughters in such turmoil, he must have been deeply worried. All these years of stress had taken a toll on him, and with the issues at the company, his health had deteriorated rapidly.
As Grace sat by his bed, tears began to fall.
Quentin had lost so much weight. His eyes now seemed too large for his face. Seeing Grace, his eyes reddened, and he said in a hoarse voice, “You’ve done well with the company. In the future, you’ll need to look after Liam.”
Grace’s lips trembled as she grasped his hand. “Dad, I’m sorry. I thought that after the contract was sorted, you’d get better.”
She hadn’t even called him. Perhaps subconsciously, she had been avoiding anything related to the Lambert family.
Quentin forced a weak smile. “It’s not your fault. Liam told me everything. He said your memory loss is real. We were the ones who didn’t believe you, and we hurt you.”
Grace’s throat tightened as though something was blocking it, leaving her speechless.
Quentin was such a good man, but she clearly hadn’t done her part as a daughter. She couldn’t remember anything, and she struggled to return the same emotions.
Her tears fell on the back of his hand. He tried to lift his hand to wipe them away, but his strength was gone. He didn’t have the energy for such simple movements anymore.
“Grace, your mom shouldn’t have blamed you for what happened to Alice. You were just eight years old back then. You and Alice disappeared for three days, and we were all so worried. When only you came back, she panicked and was sick for a month.
“I knew she needed someone to vent to, and she was selfish by nature-so was I. But no matter how bad she was, she was still my wife. Watching her favor Alice, I decided to regularly deposit money into your account, trying to fulfill your material needs so that you wouldn’t suffer too much.
“If it weren’t for all this, you wouldn’t have put all your trust in Yancey. You wouldn’t have made so many mistakes.”
His voice grew weaker with each word as if he was losing the strength to speak. “Dad, please stop. Let me call the doctor in to check on you.”
Quentin’s eyes had already closed, and he looked as though he was nearing his end.
When the doctor came in, Quentin didn’t move. He just lay there as the doctor examined him.
Grace didn’t dare leave his side and remained in the room. Carmen came in once, bringing some fruit. Grace was surprised at her unusual gentleness today. However, with Quentin still lying in bed, she didn’t say anything.
After leaving the room, Carmen handed Grace’s phone to Alice, saying, “Don’t do anything too extreme. Your father is in this state now. At least think of him a little.”
Alice looked at Grace’s phone as a smile crept on her face. “Got it, Mom.”
She quickly grabbed the phone and ran out.
Carmen watched her leave with a heavy heart. Even Grace knew to stay by Quentin’s side, but Alice, who
had been favored for five years, was only focused on finding a man.
Carmen wasn’t sure if it was because she hadn’t taught Alice well, but now, her chest felt tight from unease.
She returned to the room and saw Grace quietly asking the doctor, “How’s my dad’s condition?”
The doctor shook his head. “There’s no medicine for years of overwork and emotional strain. If you talk to him more, he might feel better. He has so many things bottled up inside. He needs to release them.”
Grace pursed her lips and nodded sincerely. “Thank you.”
After the doctor left, Grace looked up to find Carmen standing by the door.
Carmen walked to the side of the bed, silently crying as she held Quentin’s hand. It was clear that she truly loved him. The pain on her face was genuine, not a pretense.
Quentin slowly opened his eyes and gently patted the back of her hand, but he said nothing.
Carmen’s heart ached even more. She looked at Grace. “Stay here with him tonight. Spend more time with him.”
Grace had no intention of leaving, so she nodded.