Chapter 154: Its Been A While

"Hmm, who peeled this?" Lawrence asked, nodding to a piece of long fruit skin in the trash can next to the nightstand. He was impressed by the handiwork.

"Surely not with your clumsy hands, that's for sure," Lawrence muttered.

When Lina was young, Lawrence always sliced up apples in the shape of rabbit ears for her. She tried to learn, but the rabbit ears were brutally sliced. Needless to say, they both stopped liking apples afterward.

"Kade did it," Lina said.

"Kade?" Lawrence echoed.

"M-my nickname for him," Lina stammered out.

Lina didn't mean the slip of her tongue, but the dream of her first life was far too long. It felt like she was reliving those moments all over again. 

"Sounds like a rip off of Spade cards," Lawrence snorted. "I expected more creativity."

Lina rolled her eyes, but suppressed a smile. Lawrence, ever the nagger. She turned her head and observed her grandfather more. In the two and a half weeks, he seemed much older.

Lina noticed he gripped his cane tighter. His hands were resting on top of the golden handle, his expression a bit tired. His skin was even paling.

"Grandfather—"

"What will happen to your education now that you're vying for the position as Chairwoman of Yang Enterprise? You've graduated college early, but what about the PhD you're pursuing?" Lawrence stated.

"I'll do online classes. My thesis is almost done anyway," Lina said.

Lina was going to write about the Fourth Princess of Teran. She was going to analyze the paintings drawn by the Second King of Ritan and make a proposal that'd confuse even the greatest historians.

"Hm, I see," Lawrence murmured. "And what about your past accomplishments?"

"My accomplishments?" Lina repeated.

"Yes. As of right now, you're only associated with Everett and Kaden. As Yangs, we've hidden you to the rest of the world, per your request. Now that we need to announce you as an heir in the race, we'll need to reveal your accomplishments, like placing second in the national chess competition when you were just a child," Lawrence elaborated.

"You have my permission to unravel every accomplishment I have. Trust me, grandfather, it's far too many to count," Lina mused.

"Hmm… Accomplishments like being the top of your classes and the valedictorian for middle school, high school, and college?" Lawrence insisted.

"Reveal everything," Lina said. "Gone are the days I'll let my cousins outshine me with their puny light."

"That's not the only puny thing about them," Lawrence snorted.

Lina lightly laughed. She watched as he gripped his cane tighter.

"As much as I enjoy this conversation," Lawrence dryly said. "I must go."

Lina blinked. Before she could help him, Lawrence began to stand. 

"Ugh…" Lawrence made a small noise when he rose to his feet.

Lina was worried and tried to climb out of  bed. He held up a hand to stop her.

"Early arthritis," Lawrence muttered. "They're just quack doctors anyway. Do not worry."

"What?!" Lina exclaimed.

Lina did not think he was getting old this quickly. Last she remembered, he was still the old man that'd swing her from his legs. Though, she speculated it was his way of kicking her away. She liked to hug his shin extra tight whenever he did that. The fond memory suddenly stabbed her in the chest.

Her proud and tall grandfather was growing weaker.

"Your grandmother said it's karma," Lawrence reminisced.

"For?"

"For kidnapping her," Lawrence laughed. "Fifty years of marriage and she's still cute."

Barf.

Lina choked down the urge to gag. She was pretty sure her grandmother still harbored an ounce of hatred for the forced marriage. Fifty years of dating, and none could wipe his sins. 

Her grandmother's story resonated deeply within Lina. Rina was forced to marry Lawrence. It was either she willingly walked down the aisle or she was kidnapped and dragged down it, screaming and kicking. For Rina's reputation, she graced the aisle in a red dress.

Lina saw an image of the wedding. She had never seen so much hatred and sadness in her grandmother's eyes. The nerve of that woman. To think her grandmother was trying to force her to have the same fate.

"I'll return later," Lawrence informed her.

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Lawrence approached the bed. He caressed the top of her head. He was amused that his large palms practically clutched the end of her small head. She was still small and cute. His dear little granddaughter.

"All these years of medical innovation like Claymore Conglomerate developing a drug to aid humans who are pregnant with a vampire child, but there is still no cure for cancer or arthritis," Lina mumbled in disappointment.

"No amount of lamenting will change anything," Lawrence softly said. "Mayhaps my beloved wife is right. Karma is best served cold."

Lina slowly blinked. She was suddenly reminded of a memory her grandmother once told her. At that time, Lina was still a little girl in elementary school. She supposed it was after the mental institution.

'Grandmother, why do the good die so quickly?'

'In a garden, do you pick the prettiest flowers or the ugliest?' Rina had softly said to her whilst combing the young girl's hair. 

'But—'

'That is how heaven decides who to pick,' Rina concluded.

"At this rate, grandmother might outlive you," Lina mused.

"Maybe then, she'd finally have freedom," Lawrence joked.

Lina's smile slipped. Fifty years of captivity. Now that Lina thought about it, Rina rarely laughed or grinned. 

"Now be good and listen to the doctors, little Lina," Lawrence told her.

"See you later, Grandfather," Lina responded.

Lawrence let out a small "hmph." Then, he stalked out of the door. On the way out, his cane accidentally hit one of Kaden's bodyguards. He pretended not to see the man wince and groan.

Lina could only shake her head in amusement. Ever the childish antics. This man was growing old, but his heart was growing young.

Shortly after Lawrence left, taking his bodyguards with him, Lina turned on the TV to fill the empty noise, and practiced using her legs more. She used the practice bar provided in the room. They resembled the ones that ballerinas held onto to practice standing on their toes.

Knock! Knock!

"Come in!" Lina called out.

Lina's legs were shaky from her practicing so long. This time, she had tried running in place, but felt pricks shooting up her tired thighs. Thus, she hobbled to bed. 

A nurse came in with a gentle smile. She bowed her head in greeting, a sterilized metal tray in her hands.

"Miss Yang," the nurse addressed. "I've come with your daily IV drip."

"Thank you," Lina stated.

Lina sat down in bed. She glanced away when the nurse settled the tray onto the nightstand. She didn't want to look at needles. It terrified her. The sharp metal needles reminded her of the days in the asylum.

Lina hissed in pain when the needle entered. She tried not to imagine the item piercing her skin.

"...largest medical company's heir...'

Lina blinked at the sound of the news reporter. She raised her head to the TV and her eyes grew wide.

"Medeor Corporation's chairman plans on retiring within the end of this year, after forty years in service. He will be passing his seat to his one and only son—"

"All done," the nurse spoke up.

Lina returned her attention to the IV drip. She was watching the news too intently to even realize the prick. Smiling to herself, she couldn't help but wonder who this mysterious heir was. 

Lina finally remembered why Medeor Corporation sounded familiar. A close childhood friend of hers once joked they were the illegitimate son of the chairman. At that time, she brushed it off, laughing in amusement. She enjoyed being around them.

When they were around, Lina did not get any headaches. He accompanied her all throughout middle school and high school. For some reason, his face was a blurry image. Now that she thought about it, she always stopped thinking about her first life around him. 

"When the bag is finished, please press this button as usual," the nurse spoke up, directing to the small remote control on the side of the bed frame.

"I will," Lina said.

"You will what?" A cold voice asked.

Lina turned her head towards the door. Her eyes lit up in joy, but she tried to hide her excitement. Sheepishly, she offered them a smile. 

"Hey there," Lina greeted.

"Hey, its been a while."

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