Chapter 854 Goodbye
Saskia froze for a moment.
So it wasn't her fault after all. Nathaniel should have said something sooner.
She relaxed immediately, scrolling through her phone before picking a place. "How about this one?"
Nathaniel nodded. "And let's pick up Benjamin. He doesn't need to stay at preschool this afternoon. We'll take a half-day off and head back to the Egan Estate after lunch."
Saskia didn't ask why they were going back, seeing the look on Nathaniel's face.
She pondered quietly.
There weren't many people who could make Nathaniel look like that. The only one she knew of was Robbie, so this trip back must have something to do with him.
After lunch, they set off for the Egan Estate.
It wasn't Benjamin's first time there, but it was his first time going with Saskia, so he was very excited, fidgeting in the car.
Saskia tried to hold back but eventually couldn't help but press the little troublemaker down. "Sit still, don't move around."
Benjamin immediately sat still, blinking at her. "Mom, are we going to see Grandma this time?"
Thanks to knowing Nathaniel's identity, Benjamin now knew that the kind lady he felt close to, Jade, was indeed his real grandmother.
Saskia gently brushed his hair, noticing it was getting a bit long. "Yes, and after we see Grandma, we'll get your hair cut, okay?"
Benjamin didn't mind the haircut; his heart was set on seeing Jade.
Soon, the car stopped outside the Egan Estate.
But the atmosphere wasn't as relaxed as they had imagined. It was quite heavy.
When they arrived, Jade was wiping away tears.
Not seeing Robbie, Saskia instinctively lowered her voice. "Where's Mr. Egan?"
She had a bad feeling.
Jade was a strong woman, never showing weakness in public. The only thing that could make her cry was...
Jade glanced at them, her eyes filled with worry. "You're finally back. Nathaniel, your father suddenly fainted this morning and hasn't woken up since."
Nathaniel's pupils dilated, his fists clenched and then relaxed. He stared at the second floor, his eyes quickly reddening.
Saskia knew what he wanted to do most at that moment. "Go up and see him."
She looked at Jade for confirmation.
After getting her approval, Saskia took Benjamin upstairs and opened the bedroom door.
Benjamin saw Robbie lying quietly on the bed and seemed to realize something was wrong, remaining silent.
The room was eerily quiet.
Suddenly, Robbie coughed twice and opened his eyes.
The first person his cloudy eyes focused on was Nathaniel. In his semi-conscious state, Robbie seemed to mistake Nathaniel for his younger self.
"How did you do on your test? If you did well, Dad will grant you a wish." Robbie smiled.
Nathaniel lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable, but Saskia could see his trembling eyelashes.
They had argued for so many years, and Robbie had probably never said such words to him.
Words he had only heard as a child.
Nathaniel didn't avoid the old, wrinkled hand, letting Robbie's hand caress his face.
After a long while, Robbie sighed and lowered his hand. "If only you were a bit more obedient, but…"
"If you were obedient, you wouldn't be my son."
Hearing the first part, Nathaniel clenched his fists, but when he heard the latter part, he suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Jade then closed the door.
Seeing Nathaniel's unsettled state, she sighed softly. "Don't be mad at your dad. He's just stubborn. He was proud of you for becoming a lawyer, even if he only ever scolded you."
Nathaniel said nothing.
He had always thought Robbie didn't like him, but now he realized it was just unspoken love and pride.
Such realizations weren't easy to accept quickly.
So Nathaniel left the Egan Estate without even staying for dinner.
Saskia didn't say anything.
Benjamin wanted to ask but was silenced by her.
It wasn't until they were home, lying together in bed, that Saskia asked the question she had wanted to ask since the Egan Estate. "Are you unhappy?"
Nathaniel's voice took a long time to break the silence. "I can't say I'm unhappy, but I can't say I'm happy either."
"I understand." Saskia hugged him tightly.
She knew the feeling. When she found out Azalea was still alive, she felt the same—happy she was alive but sad she hadn't reached out.
"At least now you know you're loved by your parents. They might have been a bit harsh, but they love their children. I think Robbie is the same."
"Yeah."
Nathaniel hugged her back tightly.
Robbie's illness wasn't serious, just a temporary fainting spell caused by high blood pressure. After a few days of rest, he was almost back to normal.
When Saskia took Benjamin to visit, Robbie could still play with him, and the Egan Estate was filled with their laughter.
Nathaniel and Robbie's relationship gradually thawed.
The once-silent father and son could now manage a few words.
Seeing their reconciliation, Saskia felt relieved but couldn't help thinking of Azalea.
Heidi's condition was improving.
She could now recognize Saskia and Benjamin and remember some past events. But as her memory returned, she increasingly wanted to see Azalea.
Heidi often asked Saskia, "Saskia, where's Azalea? Why haven't I seen your sister? Did she get lost?"
Each time, Saskia's heart ached, but she comforted Heidi, "No, she's just busy. She'll be here in a few days."
But days turned into more days.
Azalea hadn't given a definite time, and Saskia didn't know when she would come, so she kept reassuring Heidi.
One day, as she was comforting Heidi again, the doorbell rang.
Saskia had Heidi stay put and went to answer the door.
When she opened it, she was stunned, her voice trembling. "Azalea?"
As soon as she spoke, Heidi rushed over, grabbing Azalea's hand, tears streaming down her face. "Azalea's back, finally back."
Azalea held her mother's aged hand tightly, her voice hoarse. "Mom."
Heidi responded joyfully.
They looked like any ordinary family.
Seeing this heartwarming scene, Saskia turned away to wipe her tears.
Azalea and Heidi then sat down together.
Heidi kept gesturing and talking to Azalea, who couldn't understand but still responded, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Several days passed like this.
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