Stand By Me Darling

Chapter 36: Her True Heart

Chapter 36: Her True HeartTalia was nervous looking into the health conditions of her grandfather. She went through the hospital her grandfather likely is taking his treatment and found the security of the hospital’s system was pretty lax.

’Is it okay for hospitals to not invest more in cyber security? Shouldn’t they protect the confidentiality of the patients?’

She wondered and tried to

Jerome could recognise his granddaughter’s voice. It hasn’t changed much from when she was here. His hands shook slightly after hearing her voice this close after a really long time and he wanted to hear more.

Talia on the other end felt her heart skip a beat when she realised the phone is now in her grandfather’s hand. She wanted to disconnect the call but then her fingers couldn’t move as she froze.

She wanted to hear his voice a little.

Jerome realised he’s wasting time and she might end the call and spoke hurriedly,

"Mary-Ann..."

Talia’s eyes watered a bit hearing her grandfather who was calling her like he always did. She wasn’t close with her grandfather but that didn’t mean she hated him. She liked to go against him but she would never wish ill on him.

"Grandpa..."

She said and it was hard for her as her throat felt heavy with all the emotions.

"My sweet child... Are you well?"

Her grandpa’s caring voice heard from the other side. It was like she always remembered but it had become more softer now. The usual arrogance and authority in his tone was missing.

"Hmm... I’m fine. Don’t worry about me," she said after taking a deep breath.

"You see, grandpa just want to..."

As he started speaking, Talia knew what he is meaning to say and she interrupted him with her voice a bit high pitched and she tried to speak as a threat but her voice broke as tears streamed through her cheek,

"Grandpa! If you die now, I will not even attend your funeral!"

Please don’t die!

*Click*

The line went dead and her grandpa on the other side smiled but his eyes reddened.

What could he do with this child? Her heart is filled with love yet she wants to hurt herself and others by being so stubborn. Why can’t she just return to where her heart is?

Talia on the other hand remembered clearly the words of her grandfather in her mother’s wake.

If not for her being the purple eyed monster, her mother wouldn’t have died of complications during labour and her brother would have survived too.

If not for her being the purple eyes monster, her father would t have become an alcoholic and ruined his health and died.

If not for her, Cyrus would be alive.

If she stays away, everyone would be fine!

But is it the time to stay away?