My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 44

"Vivienne, what happened to your head? How did you get hurt? Is it serious?" Grandpa asked weakly, his voice raspy with concern as he looked at the bandages on my head.

Even though Grandpa was so ill, he still worried about my minor injury. My heart ached, and tears welled up in my eyes.

"What’s wrong? Does it hurt a lot?" Grandpa asked, his heart heavy as he saw the hurt look on my face.

I quickly shook my head. "Pop-Pop, don’t worry. It’s just a small bump. It’s nothing serious, and it doesn’t hurt at all."

"You need to take better care of yourself. Don’t end up like me. My body’s failing, and I don’t have much time left," Grandpa said, his voice weak.

"No. Pop-Pop, please don’t say that. You’re going to get better. You’ll live a long, healthy life," I said, my voice trembling, tears threatening to spill again.

"Why are you crying like a little kid?" Grandpa asked, reaching out to wipe the tears from my face. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"As long as Pop-Pop is okay, I won’t cry," I said hoarsely, struggling to keep my voice steady.

"Vivienne, I’m old. Everyone has to face this stage eventually. I’ve come to terms with it. Grandpa’s not afraid, and I hope you’re not either, okay?"

I bit my lip, fighting to keep control. Eventually, I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I collapsed on the bed, sobbing uncontrollably.

I knew this day would come for everyone.

But it was my own dear grandfather—the one who had loved me the most—who was about to leave me, and I couldn’t bear it.

"Good girl, don’t cry," Grandpa said gently, stroking my head.

Alexander moved closer, helping me sit up, his voice soothing. "Come on, Vivienne. Pop-Pop is doing okay, right?"

I forced a smile through my tears, wiping my eyes with the sleeve of my shirt. "I’m crazy, aren’t I? Pop-Pop’s fine, and here I am crying. I should be smiling."

Alexander watched me, a faint frown on his lips. He gently wiped the tears from my face.

"Vivienne, Alexander, we’re alone here. Let’s be honest with each other. You two are getting a divorce, right? If it weren’t for my health, you would’ve already done it, wouldn’t you?"

Alexander and I exchanged a glance.

"Don’t try to hide it from me. I may be old, but I’m not senile. I know what’s going on with both of you."

"Sorry, Pop-Pop. We’ve let you down," I said, tears welling up again, my vision blurring.

"Vivienne, don’t cry. What worries me most is you. I know you appear strong and brave on the outside, but deep down, you’re the most sensitive and insecure person I know."

Grandpa was right. The real me was fearful, insecure, and sensitive. I couldn’t even admit to Alexander that I loved him.

I was terrified of rejection, ridicule, and loss, so I kept my feelings buried under a mask of indifference, as if that would protect me from getting hurt.

It was easier to act like I didn’t care about anything because I didn’t have anything to hold on to.

"Alexander, I know you want to be with Isabella. I can’t selfishly ruin your life. But I need you to promise me one thing."

"Pop-Pop, tell me. If I can do it, I will," Alexander said, his tone serious.

"I hope you and Vivienne can truly get along. If, after I’m gone, you still want to divorce, I’ll let Evelyn know beforehand, and she won’t stop you. Can you promise me that?"

Alexander looked at me, tears streaming down my face. After a brief pause, he nodded. "Pop-Pop, I promise I will get along with Vivienne from now on."

"Vivienne, what about you?"

"I promise, Pop-Pop, I’ll try my best to get along with Alexander."

"Good. I’m at peace now." Grandpa’s face softened into a satisfied smile. "It’s late, and I’ve kept you up long enough. You must be exhausted. Go rest. I’ll try to sleep now, too."

He had just had surgery and was already struggling, so for him to stay awake this long was a big effort.

"Pop-Pop, sleep now. I’ll stay here with you until you fall asleep, and then I’ll leave."

"Good girl."

Grandpa soon fell asleep.

Alexander exchanged a silent glance with me, but I didn’t see it.

He gently walked over, patted my shoulder, and motioned toward the door.

I slowly stood up and followed Alexander to the door.

"Go back and rest," he said softly.

I looked at his face, still blurry in the dim light. "What about you? You’ve stayed up this long. Aren’t you going to rest?"

"I’ve already called Sebastian. He’ll be here soon. Once he arrives, I’ll come find you."

"Okay, then I’ll go first."

"I’ll walk you upstairs."

As I entered the hospital room, I asked, "Should I leave the door open for you?"

"Yes, I’ll be there soon."

"Okay."

I lay down on the bed, but sleep eluded me. I tossed and turned, my mind consumed by thoughts of Grandpa’s condition.

And then there was Grandpa’s request to Alexander—to promise that he would let me and Alexander get along for his sake. Grandpa had sacrificed his own peace of mind to give us that chance.

How could I be worthy of such a sacrifice from Grandpa?

If things were different, and my separation from Alexander could save Grandpa’s life, I wouldn’t hesitate to sever ties with him.

But there are no “ifs” in this world.

Some things can’t be balanced.

I heard faint footsteps in the hallway, stopping at the door to my room.

Alexander gently pushed the door open and walked to the side of the bed. "Still not asleep?"

"No, I can’t sleep."

He freshened up in the bathroom, took off his coat, climbed into bed, and pulled the covers up. "Sleep now."

"Mm."

We both silently agreed not to mention Grandpa’s words.

I closed my eyes, and sleep finally claimed me.

Just as dawn was breaking, I was jolted awake by the sound of a phone ringing.

I reached out for my phone, only to pull my hand back.

It wasn’t my phone ringing.

Alexander picked up the phone from the bedside table, threw the covers aside, and got out of bed.

I thought he would step outside to answer, but instead, he stood by the window, looking out. "Hello, Isabella."

"Alexander, I had a nightmare. Can you come see me?"

"Not today. My grandfather is sick, and I need to stay at the hospital to take care of him."

"Pop-Pop’s sick? How serious is it? Can I come visit him?"

Alexander paused and glanced at me lying in bed.

I quickly averted my gaze and closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep.

It was obvious that Alexander saw through me.

He covered the phone’s receiver and asked, "Isabella wants to visit Pop-Pop. What do you think?"

I couldn’t keep up the act and had to open my eyes, propping myself up to look at him. "Pop-Pop just had surgery yesterday, and his condition isn’t stable. It’s better if no one disturbs him for now. Maybe wait until he’s moved to a regular room."

Alexander thought for a moment. "Okay."

He put the phone back to his ear. "Isabella, Pop-Pop’s condition is still unstable. You can come visit once he’s feeling better. Also, I might not have time to see you in the next few days."

"Alexander, do you not want me anymore? I’m really scared. I dreamt I was locked in a dark room again. It was so dark, my throat was sore from screaming, but no one came to help me. They hit me and yelled at me, and..."

"Isabella, if you’re scared, you should see a therapist."

"I just want you to be with me..."

"Isabella, do you want me to choose between you and Pop-Pop?"

"...I didn’t mean that."

"Even if you didn’t mean it, I have to tell you, between you and Pop-Pop, I’ll choose Pop-Pop. Do you understand?"

"I understand... I won’t be scared anymore. I’ll go see a doctor like you said."

"Mm."

After hanging up, Alexander quickly got dressed and said, "I’m going to check on Pop-Pop. You should sleep a little longer."

"Mm, okay." I muttered groggily, barely able to stay awake.

A short while later, Alexander returned. "Pop-Pop is still asleep. Lydia’s staying by his side."

He took off his coat and climbed back into bed. "Sleep a little longer."

I dozed off again for another half hour before getting up to wash up. I went with Alexander to visit Grandpa at the hospital.

When we reached the door to his room, I heard voices inside.

Listening closely, I recognized Nana, who had come from Ashford Manor early this morning, and Lydia, Sebastian Hawthorne’s wife.

As we entered, Alexander took my hand and we walked in together.

"Nana, The First Lady," he greeted.

We nodded at them.

"You two are up so early. Why don’t you sleep a little longer?" Nana asked.

"I couldn’t sleep, so we came. How’s Pop-Pop now?" I asked, glancing into the room.

"Still asleep. You haven’t eaten yet, right? Go grab something to eat. No need for so many people to stay here."

"Mm, Nana, The First Lady, we’ll go eat now."

Alexander took my hand, and we left the room.

He turned to me. "Should I have them bring food here, or...?"

"Don’t trouble yourself. Let’s just go to the restaurant outside," I suggested.

"It’s crowded, and you won’t be able to see well. Let’s go back to the room first. I’ll go buy something."

"Okay."

Alexander took me back to the room, then went to the restaurant to get two breakfasts for us to eat together.