Five years of beautiful memories flooded my mind without warning.
He had openly defied his parents just to be with me.
"Abigail is the love of my life. Even if it means cutting ties with my family, I will be with her."
He'd spent three full days setting up the proposal himself, eyes red-rimmed as he told me he'd never marry anyone else.
He said not even his parents could keep us apart.
He said his life was only complete with me in it. That he'd protect me for the rest of his days.
But his voice grew distant, fading, until it became a cold blade plunging straight into my chest.
"Forget Grandpa waking up—even if he actually dies, I will never let anyone threaten Freya."
Self-mockery, helplessness, bitter irony—emotions crashed over me all at once, and I finally lost consciousness completely.
When I opened my eyes again, I saw Charles.
He looked exactly as I remembered—clean-cut and handsome, as if nothing had changed.
"Abigail, you're finally awake. Does anything hurt?"
He wiped the corner of his eye and gave me a gentle smile.
We stared at each other in silence for a long moment before I spoke, my voice hoarse.
"Where's Grandpa? I need to see him."
His gaze shifted away, refusing to meet mine.
"You have no idea how worried I was about you. As long as you're okay, that's all that matters. Really."
I looked around the room and immediately realized this wasn't our home.
I struggled to sit up, my fingers trembling as I grabbed my clothes and threw them on haphazardly, ready to leave.
"You're always saying I never have time for you, aren't you?"
He caught my arm, his tone gentle yet brooking no argument.
"Just stay here and rest for a few days, okay? I won't let anyone disturb us."
His grip was iron-tight around my arm. I pried his fingers off and looked him straight in the eye.
"Charles, please let me see Grandpa. He raised me. It's been just the two of us my whole life."
"He means everything to me. I'm begging you—just let me see him once."
"Now isn't the right time."
His voice remained patient, measured.
"Calm down for a few days first. I'll take you to see him soon."
But this was Grandpa.
The person closest to me in this entire world.
My eyes burned with unshed tears as I lowered myself the way I always had, pleading softly.
"Please, just this once. If you're worried, come with me."
After a moment of silence, he frowned and slowly shook his head, his tone firmer than I'd ever heard it.