This was Lucius's idea of taking responsibility.
Liliana was heartbroken. She had assumed that even if Lucius was cutting back financially, he would at least offer her some emotional compensation.
But Lucius had washed his hands of the matter so cleanly, unwilling to even offer direct contact.
If he had promised to care for her personally, Liliana would have been overjoyed and deeply moved.
Having said his piece, Lucius stood up. "I have to go. Let your dad keep you company."
"You... You're leaving?" Liliana immediately started sobbing. "Don't go, please?"
With teary eyes and a pouting lip, she reached out to grab his hand, completely ignoring the IV needle taped to the back of her hand.
Her fragile, helpless demeanor looked incredibly pitiful.
Grant immediately chimed in. "Lucius, just stay with her for a bit. It's not like you haven't stayed overnight before. Liliana just lost her legs. Without you here to cushion the blow, she'll break down."
If this were the past, Lucius might have believed them. But he had clearly just heard this very man making cheerful, celebratory noises.
He certainly hadn't sounded as pained as he looked now.
Lucius felt suspicious and had no desire to comply, especially since he had other pressing matters. He gently pulled his hand back and said, "Be good, Liliana. You have the father who has cared for you for over two decades by your side. You can get through this."
Lucius's gaze shifted to Grant. The older man's nose was bright red, undeniably a result of the bleeding and dilated capillaries from smashing it earlier.
Liliana still refused to let it go. "Lucius, you've changed. You never used to be like this. When I had my stomach pumped, you stayed with me all night. But now, my legs are ruined."
She resumed her pathetic weeping.
"Lucius, it's been eighteen years! Ever since I met you eighteen years ago, the first person I've wanted to see every morning when I wake up is you. But you leave me with less and less time. All I see every day is the cold ceiling."
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