Chapter 501

500
Gordon’s test results came back . The CT scan showed a shadow on his lung . The bad news : it’s lung carcer . The good news is that it hasn’t spread yet
frene almost broke down , Jonathan steadied her , his hand on her shoulder as she covered her mouth and sobbed in grief . Even though Gordon no longer recognized her or Heidi after developing dementia , he was still their dad .
Irene told Heidi about it . Heidi , though saddened , took it in stride , thinking that now that they’d found their mom , Gordon could leave without regrets .
Only Gordon himself still didn’t know about his lung cancer .
Gordon was pretty old , and the tumor was too large for surgery to be worthwhile – the chances of success were just too low . The doctor advised that they just let him enjoy his remaining days and fulfill any wishes or unfinished business he might have .
Jonathan cleared his schedule and went with Gordon to find Genevieve . Irene tried to talk him out of it , saying she and Heidi could take care of Gordon , but Jonathan wouldn’t hear of it .
Jonathan had always believed that no matter how successful he was , family came first . And after losing Teresa , he cherished his family even more
He took Gordon to get a haircut , hoping he’d look sharp for the visit . The sunlight made Gordon look a bit more spirited , but it couldn’t hide how frail he was – skin and bones , sallow and gaunt , his face dark and sunken .
Still , Gordon was all smiles , tears in his eyes – he was finally going to see Fiona .
The trip was long , but Gordon was so excited he didn’t sleep at all , just kept looking out the window the whole way .
When they arrived , Jonathan helped Gordon out of the car .
Gordon was trembling , glancing around and softly calling Fiona’s name . He turned to Jonathan , his voice trembling with excitement . “ Is Fiona really here ? ”
Jonathan nodded .
Some kids ran out , shaking their heads . “ Ms. Nelson isn’t here , ” they said .
Jonathan asked , “ Do you know where she is ? ”
“ We don’t know . ” The kids shook their heads again .
Jonathan frowned , then said , “ Can we wait for her here ? ”
One of the kids blurted out , “ Mister , Ms. Nelson wants you to leave .”
At that moment , Jonathan understood – Genevieve was here , she just didn’t want to see him or Gordon . He helped Gordon sit down to rest . “ Could you tell Ms. Nelson I’d like to talk to her alone ? I just want to say a few words . ”
The kids looked at each other . “ We can’t really decide that … ”
Jonathan touched their heads . “ Could you go ask her for me , please ? ”
The kids glanced at Jonathan , then at Gordon sitting on the little stool . Finally , they nodded and ran off .
Genevieve had been sitting in a shabby old classroom , practicing calligraphy . She was just finishing the last stroke of the word “ hate ” when , all of a sudden , her pen snapped . And then , she heard footsteps coming closer and closer .
She glanced sideways and saw Jonathan . Then she looked away , her voice calm and cool . “ Didn’t I tell you not to come to me ? I already gave you the real Fiona’s address and phone number . Go find her . ”
500 .
She was in a car accident … Jonathan said .
What ? ” Genevieve was genuinely shocked she had no idea .
Jonathan finally explained , “ She woke up once . And I already did a DNA test . She and my mother aren’t actually related . ”
Genevieve didn’t say anything . Her eyes flickered for a moment , but she just picked up another pen and started writing again .
Jonathan took a step forward , watching her profile . “ You’re my grandma , aren’t you ? You’re Fiona . ”
“ I’m not Fiona . My name is Genevieve , ” she replied , her tone steady and distant .
“ My grandpa is outside . He’s been waiting for you – for so many years , ” Jonathan said quietly .
“ I don’t know your grandpa , ” Genevieve replied , still perfectly composed as she kept writing .
“ You hate him , ” Jonathan said , glancing at the character she’d written . “ And that’s why you won’t go back , right ? Even when I found you , you admit who you are . Because you don’t want to face him . ”
Genevieve stayed silent , focused on her calligraphy , as if Jonathan wasn’t even there .
Jonathan paused and said quietly , “ Even if you don’t love him anymore , you’d better get things straight face to face .
wouldn’t
“ I can’t ask you to forgive him — I wasn’t part of what happened between you two . If you really don’t want to see him , I’ll respect that . I’ll take him home . ”
Still , Genevieve didn’t respond , but her writing slowed down noticeably .
Jonathan gave her a small bow . “ Grandma , I’ll go now , ” he said , turning to leave .
A soft sigh broke the silence . Genevieve read aloud the poem she had just written , holding it out to Jonathan . “ I can’t love you anymore because it hurts me too much ‘ . Take a look , Jonathan , how’s my handwriting ? ”
Jonathan smiled and nodded in praise .
Genevieve looked up at Jonathan’s handsome face , reached out , and gently touched his cheek . “ I’m sorry for sending you away last time . ”
Jonathan saw the tears in her eyes and shook his head gently , letting her know he didn’t mind .
Genevieve wiped away her tears , let go , and choked out , “ You’re right . I need to settle this with him myself . I’ve been running away all this time , but the pain just sits there , deep inside . It never goes away , no matter how long I wait . ”
Gordon sat quietly outside , waiting for Jonathan . Every so often , he let out a weak cough , his voice barely more than a whisper , and his eyes kept darting around nervously , afraid he might miss Fiona .
“ Grandpa , ” Jonathan said .
Gordon turned around and saw Jonathan slowly helping Genevieve walk over.
In that instant , Gordon’s eyes sparkled as if he’d broken through the barriers of time . He saw that young girl with braided pigtails and rosy cheeks , shyly making her way toward him .
But when he blinked back to reality , she was an old woman with grey hair .
Gordon struggled to his feet , hands trembling , tossing aside his cane in his eagerness . Ignoring the ache in his legs , he hurried over to the old lady , grabbed Genevieve’s hand , and stared at her in disbelief , afraid this was all just a dream . “ Fiona ? ”
“ Fiona … ” Gordon squeezed her hand tightly , and the next second , he broke down , sobbing like a child . “ Fiona , I finally found you ! They all said you were gone , but I never believed them . I knew they were lying . I just knew you weren’t dead ! ”
08:15 Wed , 11 Jun T
500
Genevieve studied Gordon’s face , which was streaked with tears , and she couldn’t hold back her own tears either .
Still crying , Gordon pulled his beloved into his arms . “ Fiona , my Fional You have no idea how hard it was to find you . ”
Genevieve pounded his back with all her strength , but all she felt was bone . Gritting her teeth , she snapped through her tears , “ You rascal , what are you doing here ? Didn’t you wish I were dead ? Wouldn’t you be happier in that case ? ”
“ Don’t say thai , Fiona . You have to live a long , long life . I love you more than anything . ”
“ Wow ! ” The kids nearby covered their mouths in excitement , totally
that an old
man could say “ I love you ” out loud like that .
Jonathan watched the scene , a bittersweet ache in his chest , and quietly steppedde to give the two their moment .