Chapter 500 The Guilt in My Heart
The day before surgery.
Maurice sat in his hospital room, lost in thought.
A knock on the door broke his reverie. A little boy in a tiny suit and bow tie stood there, looking like a mini gentleman. His features hinted at future handsomeness.
Maurice's heart skipped a beat.
"Hello, Grandpa, I'm Oliver," the boy said, holding a bouquet and bowing politely.
The word "Grandpa" made Maurice's blood run cold. He stood there, stunned.
"Oliver..."
His grandson.
Maurice's body trembled, and he couldn't speak.
"Grandpa, can I come in?" Oliver asked sweetly.
Maurice, still in shock, stammered, "Come in, quickly."
"Thank you, Grandpa." Oliver walked over and handed him the flowers. "These are for you. Get well soon."
Seeing such a well-behaved child made Maurice's heart ache even more.
"Did your mom send you?"
Oliver shook his head. "No, Mommy thinks I'm in the bathroom. I came to see you on my own. It's our little secret, okay?"
"How did you find me?"
"Because you're my grandpa. We have a special connection."
"You're three, right?"
"Yes."
For four years, Maurice had buried his guilt about Oliver. He had driven his pregnant daughter out, and now it all came rushing back. He felt he owed Oliver.
Maurice felt ashamed to face such an innocent child; he was deeply remorseful.
"Grandpa, does it hurt?"
"No, it doesn't."
"Don't be scared of the surgery tomorrow. The doctors and nurses are gentle. They'll give you anesthesia, and it'll be over quickly. I had surgery too, and it didn't hurt. Maybe the wound will hurt for a few days, but I'm strong and not afraid."
"You had surgery?"
"Yes, I had leukemia and got Uncle Caleb's bone marrow."
Leukemia.
Maurice's face turned pale. Such a small child had endured so much.
Thinking of the suffering he and Susan had caused, Maurice felt a pain in his heart. He realized how cruel he had been. He prided himself on being decent, but he had been heartless.
If he could do it over, Maurice would never have done what he did.
"How are you now?"
"Grandpa, don't worry. After the surgery, I'm completely recovered. See, I'm fine now. But Mommy thinks I don't know what kind of surgery I had, so keep it a secret, okay?" Oliver made a shushing gesture.
Maurice's eyes reddened, and he wanted to cry. He had never shed a tear in his life, but in front of Oliver, he couldn't hold back.
"Grandpa, what's wrong?" Oliver quickly grabbed a tissue to wipe his eyes.
Maurice choked up. "Grandpa is sorry. It's Grandpa's fault you suffered so much."
"No, Grandpa, I didn't suffer. Mommy took great care of me; she's the best mommy in the world. I'm very happy. And now I have Mommy, Uncle Caleb, and Grandparents. I'm the happiest kid in the universe," Oliver said with a big smile.
Such a young kid had been through so much but stayed so positive and cheerful. It showed how well Susan had raised him.
She was a great mom, while he felt like a failed grandpa.
Maurice blamed himself harshly.
But self-blame was useless.
With tears in his eyes, Maurice choked out, "Oliver, after Grandpa's surgery, I'll make it up to you."
Oliver shook his head. "I don't need you to make it up to me. I just want you to be healthy after the surgery."
"Grandpa, I asked the doctor, and the success rate of heart bypass surgery is very high. And with Dr. Diaz performing it, you'll definitely be fine."
Maurice smiled through his tears. "Yes, thank you. It will definitely be fine."
"Then, Grandpa, we have a deal. I'll be waiting for you to take me to the amusement park after you recover."
"Okay, Grandpa promises you."
In the hospital room, both of them smiled.
"Dad, Oliver, what are you doing here?" May returned with a lunchbox, looking surprised.
"This little guy is so smart. He knew I was having surgery tomorrow and came to see me specially," Maurice said, moved.
"Aunt May," Oliver called sweetly.
May's face twitched a bit.
She cursed inwardly. 'Damn kid, you shouldn't be here now.'
"Oliver, did your mom bring you down?"
Oliver shook his head. "I came by myself."
"How could you be so reckless, coming down here alone? What if something dangerous happened? Doesn't your mom watch you?"
"My mommy doesn't know. I snuck down here myself."
"That makes it even worse. Aren't you afraid of running into bad people? How does your mom usually teach you? Does she let you run around alone?" May kept scolding.
Maurice spoke up, "Alright, May, don't blame Oliver. He was just worried about me and meant well."
"Dad, this is not something to joke about. So many kids get kidnapped these days. Who would be responsible if something happened?" May frowned.
"I'm sorry, Aunt May, for making you worry."
"See, Oliver is so understanding. Just let it go," Maurice said, dissatisfied with May.
"I..." May was very angry. Susan caused her trouble, and now her son was too?
"Grandpa, it's about time for me to go back, or my mommy will worry." Oliver jumped off the chair.
Maurice looked at Oliver reluctantly. "Will you come to see me after my surgery?"
"Of course, I will." Oliver nodded without hesitation. "As long as you want to see me, I'll come to see you right away."
"Grandpa definitely wants to see you."
"Then, Grandpa, after your surgery, can I come with Mommy?" Oliver asked, his eyes pleading.
May felt anxious. She knew it was Susan who had sent the child because she knew Maurice wouldn't refuse his grandson. Using her son like this, Susan was too despicable!
"Grandpa?" Oliver called sweetly.
Thinking of all the suffering Oliver had endured, how could Maurice bear to refuse him?
He nodded. "Okay, after the surgery, you and your mommy can come together."
"Great, Grandpa, I love you." Oliver jumped up and kissed Maurice. "Grandpa, you can do it. The surgery will be a success."
Hearing this powerful encouragement, Maurice felt invigorated. "Yes, it will definitely be a success."
He still had many years to live, to be with Oliver, and to make it up to him.
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