Chapter 668
Jackson caught up from behind, and Lillian's back went rigid.
Oberon noticed and gave Lillian's hand a gentle squeeze. He shot Jackson a look, "I'm not your grandpa."
Jackson's eyes landed on Lillian, who stood next to Oberon with her head down. He spoke softly again, "Mr. Kelly, please, let me talk to her."
Oberon snorted, not really wanting to give in. But he figured if Jackson hadn't called this morning about the mess at the hospital, they wouldn't have rushed back from Seaspring Valley City.
Lillian might've been snatched up by that scheming Barry by now.
Plus, Oberon had just reunited with Lillian and was in a good mood. Thinking about bringing Lillian home so soon, he felt Jackson deserved some credit. Oberon reluctantly swallowed his displeasure and looked at Lillian. "Lillian, do you want to hear what he has to say?"
Lillian kept her head down, but she could feel Jackson's intense, almost oppressive gaze on her.
Jackson stood in front of her, not budging, like he wouldn't leave unless she agreed.
Lillian bit her lip, raised her head, and gave Oberon a slight nod.
Oberon patted Lillian's shoulder and shot Jackson a warning glare before stepping away with his bodyguards.
Lillian looked at Jackson, meeting his deep eyes. He'd been staring at her, his gaze focused and profound, tinged with heavy sorrow and suppressed reluctance.
Their eyes met, emotions held back, and a small smile appeared in Jackson's eyes as he spoke in a low, gentle voice, "Congrats on reuniting with your family."
Lillian looked at Jackson. He rarely smiled, often coming off as cold and distant. Even when he did smile, it usually had a hint of mockery.
But Jackson's smile right now was warm, genuinely wishing her well and happy for her.
Lillian stared at him, puzzled by his reaction. She was about to leave and no longer be under his control. She thought he wouldn't be happy about it and would be angry and upset.
Her surprise was too obvious, and Jackson's heart filled with bitterness once again.
He was quiet for a moment before speaking again, "I mean it. The Sivan Family abandoned you, the Young Family only brought you pain, and the Frane Family and I..."
Jackson's voice grew hoarse. He'd always known that Lillian saw the Frane Family and him as her salvation. She was so pure, grateful, trusting, and humble. He had truly believed himself to be her savior, arrogant and self-important, consuming her feelings.
He had countless chances to really become her salvation, but he had blown them all, turning himself into the demon that tormented her the most.
Thinking about this, Jackson turned pale, and his deep eyes became noticeably red.
Jackson's loosened hand suddenly clenched tightly again, and he forced a smile, saying, "Lillian, I always prided myself on being a good brother, thinking that the Frane Family gave you a life of luxury, believing you couldn't leave the Frane Family and me. So I ignored you, doubted you, disappointed you time and again, and used tricks to bring you back easily, exhausting all the feelings between us. Now, looking back, it was all arrogant and ridiculous, but I realized it too late, and the price was too high."
Lillian looked at Jackson, her calm heart feeling like it had been shattered, her eyes uncontrollably teary.
Seeing her on the verge of tears, Jackson clammed up. He had no idea when they'd cross paths again after this.
Maybe Lillian would meet someone new, fall in love, and he'd hear about her getting remarried. Or maybe they'd never see each other again.
So, he didn't want to make her cry now. He didn't want their goodbye to be filled with tears.
Jackson switched gears. "Lillian, I don't know what Rafaela did to make you seem even more repulsed by me, but I gotta ask, do you still hate me?"
Lillian blinked, hiding the tears, and shot back, "Do you want me to hate you?"
She remembered Jackson once saying he'd rather she hated him than be indifferent.
Jackson's fists were trembling, and his voice was hoarse, "Better not. Hate eats you up more than love; it's exhausting. I'm not worth it, right? When you get back to Seaspring Valley City, become the Kelly Family's young lady, forget all the bad stuff and people in Miracalia, and find the carefree life you deserve."
After he finished, Jackson instinctively raised his hand. He wanted to pat Lillian's head or pinch her cheek like he used to when they were kids.
But seeing her thin, pale face and remembering her intense rejection, he stopped. He pulled his hand back and stepped aside.
Lillian looked at him, asking, "Do you really want me to forget?"
She didn't know why, but something inside her kept warning that Jackson was the one who hurt her the most, the root of all her pain.
He was partly to blame for her child's death, the most detestable and untrustworthy liar.
No matter how Jackson acted or what he said, she shouldn't be moved again.
But for some reason, seeing Jackson's forced calm and hearing his words, she felt her heart was being squeezed and torn apart, every fiber in pain.
"Yeah, try to forget." Jackson nodded, his voice light, but it felt like a lump in his throat.
He definitely didn't want Lillian to forget. The thought made him feel suffocated and hopeless that she would forget him, completely let go, and have no place for him in her heart . But if forgetting could help her heal and find happiness again.
If forgetting was the only way to get through the pain of losing a child, then Lillian should forget. Jackson would remember for both of them.
Lillian stared at Jackson for a couple more seconds, suddenly feeling that his face wasn't as detestable as before, not suffocating her just by looking at it.
After a moment, she looked away and nodded. "Alright, goodbye."
Lillian stepped forward and walked towards Oberon, who immediately smiled kindly.
"It took so long. Lillian, men should be silent. Actions speak louder than words. There are plenty of young, handsome and caring men in Seaspring Valley City. I'll set you up with them when we get home. Let's go." Oberon's voice was full of energy, echoing in the hospital corridor.
Jackson knew Oberon was talking to him. He stood still, watching Lillian's figure gradually fade away, and silently said in his heart, 'Lillian, goodbye. At least this time, I've safely returned you to your family.'
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