Chapter 816 Penelope, Do You Consider Me as a Brother?
She called out, "Brandon."
Kelvin's eyebrows furrowed, his gaze sharp and scrutinizing.
What was he doing here?
Brandon's expression was calm, showing no hint of emotion. His eyes briefly passed over Kelvin and Penelope, landing directly on Sam.
Holding a bouquet of flowers, he knocked on the door with his knuckles. "Sam."
"Uncle Brandon!" Sam's eyes lit up with joy upon hearing Brandon's voice. "You came!"
"Of course, I couldn't miss you getting out of the hospital."
"I thought..."
Sam glanced at Kelvin.
Kelvin, being so petty and jealous, probably wouldn't have informed Brandon.
In fact, Kelvin hadn't told Brandon that Sam was being discharged today.
Brandon had come uninvited!
But now that he was here, could Kelvin really kick him out?
Brandon smiled. "I didn't bring much, Sam, just these flowers."
"Flowers are great! They're so beautiful and fresh. I love flowers!" Sam ran over and took the bouquet with both hands. "Uncle Brandon, I love anything you give me!"
Brandon patted his head. "From now on, stay close to your mom and dad, be good, and don't be naughty. I wish you to grow smarter, stay safe, and healthy."
"Well, I can still visit you often! Unless..." Sam's eyes twinkled, "...you don't welcome me anymore."
"How could that be? My door is always open for you."
"Great! Next time, I'll bring Lucy along!"
Brandon nodded. "You're always welcome."
The atmosphere in the hospital room grew a bit tense.
Brandon's sudden appearance was indeed unexpected.
His presence was too significant.
To Kelvin, he was a rival in love.
To Connor, he was someone highly regarded, and he had once considered pairing Brandon with Penelope.
To Nicole and Jenkins, he was their daughter's former fiancé.
No one knew how to face him.
However, Brandon remained composed, showing no sign of awkwardness.
"I've delivered the flowers and my blessings." Brandon said, "Sorry to intrude. I'll be going now."
Kelvin pressed his lips together. "Take care."
Even though he knew Penelope didn't love Brandon and only saw him as a friend, a brother, and family, he still felt wary.
Brandon was his rival!
His biggest rival!
Brandon nodded slightly, turned, and left decisively.
It seemed he had really come just to bring flowers to Sam, with no other intentions!
"Um..." Penelope felt a bit guilty. "I'll walk you out."
She quickly stepped out of the hospital room.
Her relationship with Brandon had become increasingly delicate, unlike before.
Penelope still hoped to maintain a good relationship with Brandon, and get along like family.
Even without love, there was a bond stronger than friendship, keeping them connected.
Brandon had helped her a lot, and they had a deep bond from their childhood. She truly valued Brandon.
Penelope silently followed Brandon towards the elevator.
"Actually, you don't need to see me out," Brandon said. "Kelvin won't be happy."
"It's just courtesy."
Brandon suddenly gave a mocking smile. "Do we need to be polite with each other now?"
Penelope bit her lip. "That's not what I meant."
"Penelope, you have Kelvin by your side now. He loves you, respects you, cares for you, and puts you first. Sam and Lucy both accept him. You must be very happy. Four years ago, when you jumped into the sea, you couldn't have imagined that one day, you would have such a fulfilling life."
"Maybe that's just life. You never know what's going to happen next."
Brandon stopped and turned to face her. "Penelope, are you happy now?"
Penelope nodded.
"Do you love him?"
Penelope nodded again, without hesitation.
Brandon was silent for a few seconds, then smiled. "I knew it. I always suspected. Your feelings for Kelvin never really went away; they were just buried deep inside you. And no matter what I did, I could never replace him."
"No matter how much I did for you. No matter how long we've known each other since childhood."
Penelope looked into his eyes. "Brandon, you are also a very important person in my life. But if you insist on comparing yourself to Kelvin, I... I can't give you an answer."
Kelvin was her husband, her love.
A lifetime commitment to one person.
She had given her unique love to Kelvin, and there was no way she could give it to anyone else.
Penelope continued, "No matter what happened before, I don't hold any grudges. Brandon, I still hope we can continue to get along well, like before. I don't want any barriers between us."
"Continue being friends?" Brandon asked.
"Like family," Penelope looked at him with clear eyes. "More important than friends."
Brandon looked away, staring out the window.
He didn't want to, or couldn't, face Penelope's clear eyes.
He felt dark and dirty in comparison.
Because Brandon didn't want to be family, he wanted to be her lover!
This thought had been growing wildly in Brandon's mind over the past month, taking root and sprouting. He couldn't ignore it anymore!
The more he tried to suppress it, the more it consumed his thoughts!
Brandon was unwilling to give up.
Was he just going to hand Penelope over to Kelvin?
Why should Kelvin get her?
He, Brandon, was the one who had always been there for Penelope, thinking of her and making sacrifices for her!
He was the one most qualified to give Penelope happiness and a future!
"Family?" Brandon scoffed. "You see me as a brother?"
"Yes."
"Nathan is also a brother to you," Brandon said. "So, I'm in the same position as him..."
Was his fate the same as Nathan's?
Would he only be able to watch her from afar, silently blessing her, and getting excited just to see her occasionally?
No, Brandon couldn't accept that!
Nathan had hurt her, abandoned her, and left the country when she needed him most. But he, Brandon, had always been by Penelope's side!
"You and him, this..."
"Enough." Brandon changed the subject, not wanting to talk about Nathan. "Penelope, since you always saw me as a brother, why did you tell Kelvin you loved me?"
That statement had given Brandon so much hope.
He couldn't describe how excited and happy he was when he heard it!
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