Chapter 233 Laughing About Life and Death
Quentin kept his head down, unable to face Jessica's deep concern. He felt guilty towards Jessica, blaming himself for being so useless. At thirty years old, he still made Jessica worry about him.
"Grandma, don't worry. I have a plan for this," Quentin said softly.
Jessica felt sad and said, "Quentin, I can't help you much anymore. My body can't hold on much longer, maybe not even through the end of the year. You have to try harder. Matthew is a sensible and well-behaved child. You can't do anything to hurt him or Lauren, or I won't rest in peace."
"Grandma, why are you saying such discouraging things again? Did Lauren say something to you?" Quentin was very angry, taking his frustration out on Lauren.
Lauren clearly knew about Jessica's health condition, yet she still came to her with all sorts of nonsense. 'Is she really so heartless, not caring about Jessica's well-being?' he wondered.
Jessica coughed violently before saying, "Why are you blaming Lauren again? If you really didn't do it, I believe Lauren wouldn't have come to me. Quentin, be honest with me. What exactly is going on?"
Quentin frowned but eventually told the truth.
"Grandma, Lauren accused me of secretly preventing Ethan from finding a school for Matthew," Quentin replied. "I didn't know about this at all, so I had someone investigate. To my surprise, someone indeed did this under my name. Now I can't find out who it is, and I can't explain it."
Jessica became anxious upon hearing this. She inquired, "How come you can't even find out? Does that mean someone is secretly targeting Matthew? Quentin, you must get to the bottom of this. Many people in City A have always seen the Robinson Family as a thorn in their side. Now someone is targeting Matthew, and I'm worried..."
"Grandma, don't worry about this. I've never been afraid of anyone! No matter how well this person hides, I'll find them!" Quentin said firmly.
After speaking, he got up to tuck Jessica in, worriedly saying, "Grandma, you must take good care of yourself. Don't leave me without you. I don't want to be alone and helpless. I'm begging you."As Jessica heard this, her defenses crumbled. She knew Quentin, whom she had raised, better than anyone. On the surface, he seemed arrogant, self-centered, and heartless, but inside, he feared loneliness more than anyone. His cold exterior was merely a shield to protect his vulnerability from being exploited.
Lauren, who was deeply in love with Quentin, refused to come back due to various misunderstandings, while Quentin's biological son, Matthew, also seemed to be drifting away. 'What should I do? How could I help Quentin before I died?' she thought.
Jessica nodded tearfully, praying, 'God wouldn't take me away so soon. I have too many regrets left unfulfilled!'
After much thought, Jessica asked George to call Lauren.
Lauren received the call and learned that Jessica wanted to talk to her. She arranged a time with George and brought Matthew back to the Robinson Estate.
The Robinson Estate villa was old, giving it a somewhat eerie and worn appearance. With Jessica bedridden for years, the villa felt even more desolate.
Originally, it was a great place for retirement, but to Lauren, it seemed rather cold and lonely.
Matthew sensibly held Lauren's hand as they walked step by step into the Robinson Estate. George remained silent, leading Lauren into Jessica's room with a stern face.
Jessica had just taken her medicine. Seeing Lauren, she mustered a smile on her thin, gaunt face. Her kind demeanor remained unchanged, but Lauren noticed that Jessica looked worse than a few days ago.
"Grandma, you should rest after taking your medicine. Matthew and I will wait outside until you're rested," Lauren said, unable to bear seeing Jessica so exhausted.
Jessica gently shook her head. She said, "It's okay. I cherish time more than ever now. Lauren, I want to have a good talk with you. Sit by me."
Lauren nodded with a heavy heart, then remembered Matthew beside her. She remarked, "Matthew, say hi to Mrs. Jessica Robinson!"
Matthew's bright eyes lit up with a smile. He happily ran to Jessica's bedside and sweetly called out, "Mrs. Jessica Robinson!"
Jessica's expression grew complex. She stared at Matthew as if seeing a young Quentin, feeling a deep sense of emotion.
Jessica said, "Good job, Matthew. Find George. I asked him to prepare lots of delicious food for you. Go and eat."
However, Matthew didn't run out happily. Instead, he leaned on Jessica's bed, looking at her seriously.
"Mrs. Jessica Robinson, I won't eat. Mommy told me that you love me the most, so I should spend more time with you."
Jessica felt very gratified. She was grateful to Lauren for raising such a well-behaved and sensible Matthew. It was a blessing for the Robinson Family.
"It's okay, Matthew. You can come back and talk to me after you're full. Don't you like avocados? I had someone prepare a lot for you. See if you like them," Jessica said reluctantly but still sent Matthew away.
Matthew pouted and turned to look at Lauren. Lauren smiled at him helplessly and gave him permission to go. Matthew couldn't resist the temptation of food and happily ran out.
"Grandma, you'll spoil him like this," Lauren said with a smile, sitting by Jessica's bedside.
Jessica smiled and said, "I don't know how many more times I can spoil Matthew like this. Let him be happy for a day."
"Alright, Grandma. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters to me."
After speaking, Lauren lowered her head, fiddling with her fingers. She didn't know if Jessica had called her over to discuss the statement about severing ties. She didn't want to bring it up, fearing it would upset Jessica.
Jessica stared at the ceiling . After a long time, she weakly said, "Lauren, do you think there's really a heaven and hell in this world?"
Lauren looked at Jessica's serious expression, unsure how to answer. She thought for a moment and followed Jessica's lead, answering, "Maybe. There's an old saying that bad people go to hell, and good people go to heaven. Some say it might exist."
"Can go to heaven after I die? They say there's no sadness in heaven, only happiness," Jessica said, looking very longing.
However, Jessica's calm words sent a chill through Lauren's heart. She choked up but tried to stay strong, saying, "Grandma, you don't need to think about such distant things. We just need to live well now."
Mentioning death again, Lauren realized she was more agitated and avoided it more than Jessica.
She couldn't bear to hear Jessica talk about life and death. It was more painful than having her heart ripped out.
