Chapter 1098

Grandfather and grandson exchanged a look, both faces hardening in unspoken agreement as silence thickened between them. Neither seemed willing to be the one to open the door for Chad.

But the "uninvited guest" was already at the threshold. Mr. Murray, stationed outside, had no choice but to let him in.

"Grandfather, I heard you fell ill rather suddenly. How are you feeling? Any better?" Chad's tone was warm, almost too pleasant, as if he'd only just noticed Thaddeus standing there. His dark eyes flickered, and he smiled gently. "Oh, Thaddeus, you're here too."

Thaddeus's expression was cool and composed. He gave a slight nod. "Brother."

Chad wheeled himself closer to the bedside, his movements smooth and practiced. "Had I known Thaddeus was here, I might have waited until tomorrow to visit. I wouldn't want to disturb your rest." His voice was light, almost apologetic.

"Nonsense, Chad," Hamilton said, forcing a smile as he hurried to reassure him. "It's late, and your health isn't what it used to be. You shouldn't have gone to all this trouble to come here."

Leaning in, Chad let a faint glimmer pass through his eyes, gone so quickly it was as if it had never been there. "Grandfather, since I was a child, you've always been the one who doted on me most. Now that you're in the hospital, how could I not be here for you? What kind of a man would that make me?"

At those words, Hamilton's body, hidden beneath the covers, shuddered.

Though suspicion gnawed at him, he kept his composure; masking one's emotions was a basic skill for anyone

how it had always been for Thaddeus-years spent holding back, feeling isolated, even desolate. Lately, those tangled emotions had been stirring again, keeping

"there's something I'd like to discuss with you. Alone, if that's all

something urgent? Thaddeus isn't an outsider. You can speak

Thaddeus offered, not wanting to linger where he wasn't wanted. He left the room with Mr.

the door shut, he caught a faint trace of Chad's voice-gentler than


I've fallen

shoulders rigid, lips pressed into a thin

surprised. "Oh? Our Chad has found

back home, or someone

know her, Grandfather. Thaddeus does too. It's

llana?" Hamilton's eyes went wide, his face blanching even

his chest. No visible wound, but slowly, silently, it felt

still smiling,

himself, but his voice still shook. "When... when did

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