Chapter 256 Jessica's Last Wish
Jessica was open-minded and tolerant; she could take everything in stride and genuinely cared for Lauren.
Therefore, Lauren respected Jessica and was very grateful to her. Even during her most strained times with Quentin, the one she couldn't bear to part with was Jessica.
But later, she became selfish. For Matthew, she hurt Jessica, which became her lifelong regret.
"Grandma, please take care of yourself, and don't forget our promise. Matthew is still waiting to play with you; he hasn't spent much time with you yet! Matthew, come here!" Lauren knelt, pulling Matthew to show Jessica.
Jessica's aged hand, resembling tree bark, reached out and gently held Matthew's hand, and smiled as she said, "Yes, I can't bear to leave. I haven't seen Matthew grow up yet!"
Matthew, affected by the atmosphere of parting in life and death, fearfully said with tears in his eyes, "Mrs. Jessica Robinson, you have to get better. I still want to play at your house!"
Jessica nodded with a smile and replied, "I'll listen to Matthew. I promise Matthew I'll try my best. Matthew, you must also listen to your mommy... eat well... and grow up strong..."
Lauren nodded with a smile, but tears kept flowing uncontrollably.
Jessica calmed her breath and then reached out to Quentin with her hands.
Quentin placed his hands in Jessica's withered ones, and smiled as he said, "Grandma, don't worry. You'll be fine."
Jessica gently shook her head. The fogging of her breathing mask showed how difficult it was for her to breathe. However, she persisted because she had unfinished wishes.
"Quentin, smile more. Don't always keep a stern face; it scares people away. Matthew... Matthew is still young. You need to take good care of him... don't make him lack a father's love..." Jessica said intermittently.
Quentin's sharp gaze fell on Matthew. The hurtful words of severing ties was like a thorn, piercing his heart deeply, making him resent Lauren and treat her and Matthew coldly.
However, seeing Jessica's urgent gaze and the tears in her eyes, his heart ached. He thought, 'What could be more important now than comforting Grandma?'
"Okay, Grandma." Quentin forced the corners of his mouth upward, offering Jessica a weak smile.
Jessica nodded with her eyes closed, feeling at ease.
"Quentin, after I'm gone, you won't be alone. As long as you put your heart into it, your life can still be happy. Pursue what you should... forget the hatred you should... only then... can you live happily..." Jessica said intermittently.
"Grandma, stop talking. Save your strength, and you'll recover faster this way," Quentin said to Jessica.
Jessica smiled weakly and remarked, "I know my body... you don't have to avoid this topic... as long as you and Lauren can be happy, I can die in peace!"
Jessica's voice grew weaker, and the numbers on the heart monitor soared. With a smile, she finally lost consciousness.
Quentin was startled when Jessica suddenly fainted. With red eyes, he shouted, "Call the doctor! Hurry!"
Lauren collapsed to the ground, her ears ringing. She could only watch as the frantic nurses and doctors rushed in, and Sophia passed by with a mocking smile.
The doctor quickly treated Jessica, and Lauren and Matthew were ushered out. Jessica was then rushed to the operating room for emergency treatment.
Quentin anxiously waited outside the hospital room, terrified of losing Jessica. Tears silently streamed down his face, rendering him as helpless as when he lost his parents years ago.
Sophia saw Quentin's trembling shoulders and knew he was deeply saddened. She gently approached him, saying tenderly, "Quentin, don't be afraid. Jessica will be okay."
Quentin looked at Sophia, his eyes red as he replied, "I'm fine. Thank you."
Quentin walked over to a chair and sat down, with Sophia sitting beside him.
Sophia comforted, "Quentin, my shoulders may not be broad, but you can lean on them whenever you need."
Sophia truly understood Quentin's heart. She knew what he needed at that moment. Despite being a powerful CEO, he still needed care and support.
Quentin looked at Sophia with sadness, tears falling to the ground.
"No, I'm fine," Quentin stubbornly refused to show weakness.
Sophia smiled and gently placed Quentin's head on her shoulder. She said, "Quentin, you don't need to pretend in front of me. I understand both your vulnerability and your strength."
Quentin didn't argue. He closed his eyes and let the tears flow freely, allowing himself to be weak for a few minutes.
Lauren, holding Matthew, saw this scene and wisely left. With a complex mood, she didn't have the strength to think much. She only prayed to God for Jessica's safety.
However, things didn't go as Lauren had hoped. As Quentin's face grew more severe, she knew Jessica's condition was worsening.
The atmosphere of death loomed around the hospital room. After fainting, Jessica never woke up again. Her life slowly faded away in the long run until it completely ended.
After four hours of resuscitation, the operating room light finally went out, and the doctor walked out dejectedly.
The doctor said, "I'm sorry. Mrs. Jessica Robinson has passed away. She passed peacefully."
The doctor spoke weakly, meeting the concerned gazes of everyone in the room
Quentin couldn't accept it, shouting angrily, "It's impossible! Grandma wouldn't leave us!"
Hearing the news, Lauren felt all her strength leave her, leaning weakly against the wall to barely stand.
Jessica departed so peacefully that Lauren couldn't tell how long she had been lying in the hospital bed. It was as if Jessica were still there, still smiling and waiting to talk to her.
With tears of heartache, Sophia tried to comfort Quentin, "Quentin, Grandma went peacefully. Don't be like this; it will make her uneasy."
But Quentin couldn't listen. He glared fiercely at everyone
Quentin shouted, "Get out! All of you, get out!"
Ethan quickly came over and pulled the distraught Lauren out of the hospital. Staying there would only make her a target for Quentin's anger.
Three days later, Jessica's funeral took place as scheduled. The Robinson Estate was immersed in sorrow, with Jessica's photo displayed in the solemn hall. She smiled kindly as if frozen in the best moment.
Quentin stood alone in front of the photo, with Sophia standing not far behind him in simple attire.
