Chapter 157: Seeing You...Is All That Matters
"Grandfather, what happened? Why isn’t Father answering me? And why hasn’t Mother come out?"
Grandpa Frank took a deep breath, his face etched with sadness. "Liam, your Mommy... she... she is no ..m..more." he replied, his voice cracking with emotion.
Liam’s eyes widened in shock, and he took a step back, as if he had been pushed away. "Grandfather... is Mommy angry with me?" he asked, his voice shaking. "Please bring her back. I promise I won’t disturb her anymore. I will be obedient.." he begged, tears streaming down his face.
Grandpa Frank’s eyes welled up with tears as he knelt down beside Liam. He wrapped his arms around his grandson, holding him close. "No, Liam,your Mommy is not angry with you. She loved you very much, and she will always be with you in your heart.." he whispered, trying to comfort him.
But Liam was beyond consolation. He buried his face in his grandfather’s chest, sobbing uncontrollably. "I want Mommy.." he wailed, his small body shaking with grief. Grandpa Frank held him close, tears streaming down his own face as he mourned the loss of his daughter in law and tried to comfort his grieving grandson.
*Flashback End*
Liam’s eyes became dim as he recalled the heartache he endured from losing his mother. The recollection still hung around him, a fresh and sensitive injury that he couldn’t bear to revisit. He was unwilling to confront the same fate again, unwilling to suffer the torment of losing someone dear to him.
His father, too, had been irrevocably altered by the absence of Sophia. He stayed a widower, unable to imagine accepting another person into his life. Liam’s mother,Sophia had meant everything to him - his spouse, his love, his companion. After her passing, he committed himself to raising their son and overseeing the business, immersing himself in his work as a means to deal with the sorrow.
Even after many years, Liam’s father still couldn’t bring himself to think about remarriage. He had cherished Sophia too profoundly, and the sorrow from losing her had been too immense. Liam comprehended his father’s emotions, but he couldn’t help but wonder what it might feel like to have a maternal presence in his life once more.
Someone to provide direction, support, and affection. But for now, it appeared that his father would stay alone, eternally devoted to the memory of Sophia.
The operation room door opened wide, and the doctor stepped out, relief apparent on his face. Liam, Ryder, and John hurried to meet him, their expressions brimming with anxiety.
"Mr. Flynn, I’m happy to tell you that your father’s surgery went well." the doctor conveyed, a slight smile crossing his lips. "He is out of harm’s way. "
Liam exhaled deeply, letting a surge of relief wash over him. "Thank you, doctor." he expressed, his tone filled with appreciation.
The doctor acknowledged him with a nod, his demeanor compassionate. "It’s our responsibility, Mr. Flynn. Your father remains unconscious, he will awaken within the hour. "
With that, the doctor pivoted and made his way back out of the room, leaving the three of them to absorb the information. Liam’s father, who had been in the operating room, was brought out and transported to the VIP cabin for recovery.
John encircled his arms around Liam, giving him a reassuring hug. "Uncle is fine." he stated, attempting to provide comfort.
Liam nodded slowly, still feeling somewhat disoriented. "Hmm." he murmured, his voice low. Even with the positive update, he couldn’t dispel the persistent worry that lingered within him. He simply wished for his father to awaken and be alright.
Liam quietly entered the VIP cabin where his father was resting, his eyes roaming the room until they found his father’s serene face. He took a seat beside him, observing the familiar features that had aged, yet still preserved a trace of charm.
His gaze shifted to his father’s finger, where the wedding ring his mother had affectionately slipped onto his father’s finger on their marriage day continued to gleam vividly, a stunning and enduring symbol of the profound and unwavering love that had eternally united them.
Without hesitation, Liam extended his hand and softly grasped his father’s hand in his, experiencing a profound sense of connection and emotion. He bowed his head, resting it on his father’s hand, and shut his eyes, allowing the burden of his feelings to envelop him.
Ryder and John, who had entered the cabin after Liam, were touched by the tender sight in front of them. They exchanged a look, and without speaking, resolved to leave Liam with his father, affording him the space and time he required to navigate his emotions. They quietly exited the cabin, pausing outside the door, and regarded one another, their expressions grave and sympathetic.
As they lingered there, they found it difficult not to look back at the scene they had just observed, the image of Liam clasping his father’s hand and resting his head on it, a heartfelt reminder of the profound bond between them, and the love that persisted, even in the most challenging times.
"It was difficult for him to cope with this, particularly after everything he experienced when he lost his mother." John reflected internally. He and Ryder fully recognized that Liam had endured the heartbreaking loss of his mother at a very tender age.
"Were you with Thea? " John inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Ryder affirmed with a nod. "Yes, I encountered her at the restaurant along with her friend. "
John’s face shifted to one of concern. "Was she aware of Liam’s father’s situation? "
Ryder denied with a shake of his head. "No, after I received your call, I made an excuse and departed as soon as she entered the cab."
John raised an eyebrow. "Don’t you believe she will be upset when she learns that you concealed this from her? After all, she’s. . . "
Ryder interrupted him. "Only the two of us are aware, other than Liam’s grandfather. It’s preferable for as few people as possible to know about his father’s condition for the time being. "
"And it’s Liam’s choice if he wants to disclose this to anyone or not.." Ryder added. John nodded in concurrence. "That makes sense too. "
John then focused on their rumbling stomachs. "He didn’t have anything, so I’ll order something for us to eat. " He went ahead to place an order, and once the meals arrived, John and Ryder entered the VIP cabin to check on Liam.
They saw him sitting next to his father’s bed, still in the same position, deep in thought. John spoke gently, careful not to surprise him. "Liam, I’ve ordered some food for us to eat. "
Liam glanced up, his eyes tear-streaked. "I’m not in the mood to eat anything," he answered, his voice scarcely a whisper.
Ryder moved closer, worry visible on his face. "Liam, your father will be upset to see you like this. Additionally, you shouldn’t disregard your health. You need to look after yourself too. "
Liam’s eyes wandered back to his father’s face. "When will he wake up? " he inquired, his voice filled with anxiety.
John placed a comforting hand on Liam’s shoulder. "In an hour, Liam. Your father will be fine. The doctor assured that." he replied, handing Liam a meal.
Liam examined the food, then looked at John and Ryder. "Have you two eaten? " he questioned.
Ryder shook his head. "No, we’ll eat after you do. First, you need to look after yourself." he stated, urging Liam to eat.
A soft, muffled sound slipped from Ethan’s lips, "Lio. . . " Liam’s face brightened with delight as he swiftly turned to face his dad. His eyes shone with joy as he stood beside his father’s bed.
"Father. . . " Liam spoke, his voice quivering with feeling.
Ethan, Liam’s Father, gradually shook his head, his eyes feeble yet filled with affection. "Seeing you. . . is all that matters." he murmured, his voice hardly perceptible, before shutting his eyes once more.
The doctor came in shortly.He started to assess Ethan, examining his vital signs and checking the monitoring devices. After a brief interval, he directed his attention to Liam and his companions.
"Mr. Flynn, you must ensure you get adequate rest and refrain from any strenuous activities." the doctor recommended. "You’ll need to remain here for observation for roughly a week, but if all goes well, you should be able to go home afterward. "
