Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 160

Gideon froze. A sudden, overwhelming sense of familiarity surged in his chest, hitting him even harder than it had the day before.

"How... how are you feeling today?" Meredith stood awkwardly in the doorway.

She hadn't planned on coming, but after agonizing over it, she couldn't overcome the pull in her heart.

Besides, with the truth of the past still murky, she felt it wasn't fair to completely shut out the opportunity to reconnect with the old man.

"I'm doing much better." Gideon offered a gentle, reassuring smile.

Seeing that smile transported Meredith back four years—back to the lazy afternoons when she used to lean against his knees while he told her stories.

"Merry, I'm going to grab some coffee. Stay and keep Grandpa company," Milo said, quickly reading the room. He slipped out, leaving the two of them alone.

Meredith took a deep breath and walked over to the bed.

For a long moment, the silence stretched between them.

Gideon's lips parted. He had a million things to say, but he couldn't figure out where to begin.

Breaking the tension, Meredith reached into her bag and pulled out a bamboo flute. "Would... would you like me to play something?"

"Yes! Please!" Gideon's eyes lit up with pure joy and anticipation.

Meredith raised the flute to her lips and slowly closed her eyes.

Her fingers trembled slightly, but the muscle memory of the melodies she knew by heart quickly awakened.

She hadn't played in years, but the moment her breath turned into music, the memories flooded back—playing in the sunlit courtyard while her grandfather rested in his armchair, the world quiet and safe.

The hauntingly beautiful melody drifted through the sterile hospital room, breathing life into a space choked by the smell of antiseptic.

Gideon's eyelids fluttered as his gaze locked onto Meredith's profile. The chains locking his memories away shattered completely under the weight of the familiar notes.

A long time passed before the song ended.

Meredith lowered the flute and opened her eyes to look at the bed.

He had weaponized his filial duty to orchestrate absolute evil.

The truth crashed into Meredith like a tidal wave, entirely obliterating the walls she had built around her heart.

The massive rift between her and her grandfather had been entirely fabricated by Marcus.

"Merry, a year ago, I was on my way to pick you up. I wanted to spend the rest of my life making up for the hell you went through. But Marcus didn't want me to see you. He drugged me, putting me into a coma that lasted until yesterday..."

Gideon reached out a trembling hand, desperate to touch her face but stopping halfway, terrified she would pull away. "Merry, I am so sorry. When you needed me the most, I couldn't protect you."

Meredith's vision blurred as the tears finally spilled over. "So... you didn't abandon me? You were in a coma? And when I got out, you didn't forget about me... you were drugged?"

"Yes." Gideon nodded emphatically, crying openly. "I trusted the wrong person, and it cost you everything. He played the perfect grandson for years just to secure his inheritance, and when I refused to hand over the company, he finally showed his teeth."

"Grandpa..." Unable to hold back any longer, Meredith rushed forward, grabbing his trembling hand and pressing it tightly against her tear-soaked cheek. "Thank you... thank you for never giving up on me."

In that instant, the three years of bitter ice between them finally melted away.