Third-Person POV

The moment Steve stepped into the emergency room, the composure he had been desperately maintaining finally shattered.

His mother looked so pale lying there.

So weak.

Nothing like the strong woman he had known his entire life.

His breathing turned uneven as he hurried toward the bedside and tightly held her hand.

"Mum..."

His voice broke instantly.

"If you leave like this... who’s going to comfort the children?"

Roseline let out a faint chuckle, though even smiling seemed exhausting for her now.

"You’re still acting like a child yourself," she whispered weakly.

Steve lowered his head, tears falling uncontrollably. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"I’m sorry," he choked out. "I’m sorry for not staying by your side all these years."

"Shh..." Roseline murmured softly. "Don’t say that."

Her weak fingers squeezed his hand gently.

"You did the right thing by following your heart."

She paused briefly to catch her breath before continuing.

"If your father and I had forced you to stay here... forced you to follow the path we chose for you... we never would’ve forgiven ourselves."

A trembling smile appeared on her pale face.

"You built your own family. Your own life."

Her eyes softened with pride.

"Your father and I were always proud of you."

Steve’s shoulders shook violently as he cried.

"Look at me," Roseline whispered.

Slowly, Steve lifted his tear-filled eyes toward her.

"You and your siblings must forgive your father and me... if we ever failed you in any way."

"Mum..." Steve cried helplessly. "You and Dad were the best parents we could ever ask for."

Roseline smiled faintly.

"I don’t have much time left now," she said quietly.

"So listen carefully for me."

Steve gripped her hand tighter.

"Tell Rose I’m thankful she stayed by your side all these years."

"And tell Grace..." her voice weakened slightly, "that I’ll always love her."

A faint sadness crossed her eyes.

"I know Angela can be difficult sometimes... but promise me you’ll continue looking after her."

Steve nodded immediately through tears.

"I promise, Mum. I will."

Roseline seemed relieved by his answer.

Then after a brief pause, she spoke again.

"And don’t blame yourselves for this."

Her voice was soft.

"It’s simply my time to go."

Steve’s tears fell even harder.

But Roseline’s gaze gradually softened again as another thought crossed her mind.

"My biggest concern now... is Alicia."

"She and Alexander are struggling right now. Neither of them truly understands their own feelings yet."

She looked at Steve quietly.

"You must help guide them."

"Can you do that for me?"

Steve wiped at his eyes repeatedly before nodding firmly.

"I promise, Mum."

"I’ll protect them."

Roseline smiled weakly.

"Good."

Now... I can finally rest peacefully."

Her eyes drifted slightly upward, distant and nostalgic.

"I’m finally going to see your father again."

A trembling smile formed on Steve’s lips despite his tears.

"Don’t worry about me anymore."

After giving him a few instructions, Roseline looked back at him gently.

"Now go ask Alexander to come in. I need to speak with him."

Steve held onto her hand tightly, reluctant to let go.

But eventually...

he slowly released it and walked out of the room.

When Steve walked out of the emergency room, he appeared calmer than before.

But no matter how composed he tried to seem, the grief in his eyes was impossible to hide.

His gaze shifted toward Alexander.

At that moment, Alexander was crouched slightly in front of Alicia, quietly trying to comfort her despite the devastation written across his own face.

Steve watched him silently for a moment before speaking.

"Alexander," he said quietly, "go talk to your grandmother."

Alexander froze briefly.

His eyes instinctively drifted back to Alicia’s tear-stained face before he slowly stood up.

Under everyone’s gaze, he turned and walked toward the emergency room.

The door closed softly behind him.

Inside the room, he stopped a short distance away from the bed.

His eyes lowered to the floor.

He couldn’t bring himself to look at her.

Roseline studied him quietly.

She knew him too well.

The guilt consuming him was almost visible.

A faint smile appeared on her pale face.

"Come here, child," she said softly. "Don’t stand there looking like you’ve done something wrong."

"Because you haven’t."

Alexander’s fingers tightened slightly at his side.

For a moment, he hesitated.

But when he saw her weakly stretching out her hand toward him, he finally stepped forward and took it gently.

"I’m sorry, Nana," he said hoarsely.

His voice was low, strained.

"I disappointed you... and Grandpa too."

Roseline immediately shook her head.

"What did you do wrong, hm?"

"You did nothing."

"You might have made some mistakes, but who doesn’t?"

Her frail fingers lightly squeezed his hand.

"Don’t blame yourself."

"Don’t you know?" she continued softly. "Death is natural."

"I was born... then I grew old... and eventually became sick."

A faint smile touched her lips.

"That’s simply how life works."

"But Nana..."

"No buts," she interrupted firmly, though her voice remained weak.

After a brief pause, her expression softened again.

"I know I wronged you by forcing you into a marriage you never wanted."

Alexander immediately looked up.

"But believe me," Roseline continued quietly, "all I ever wanted was the best for both of you."

A shadow of regret crossed her tired eyes.

"I was selfish."

"I wanted to protect Alicia even after I was gone... so I pushed her toward you."

Her breathing grew uneven for a moment before she continued.

"But I never meant to hurt you, Alexander."

"Don’t say that, Nana," Alexander cut in quickly.

His voice trembled slightly.

"Marrying Alicia was my own decision."

A bitter smile appeared on his face.

"I was just too much of a fool back then to understand it."

His gaze lowered briefly before softening.

"But now I do."

"Now I understand why you chose her for me."

A quiet breath escaped him.

"And marrying Alicia... was the best decision I’ve ever made."

Roseline’s weak smile deepened slightly.

"If anyone should be thankful to you for that decision..." Alexander continued softly, "it should be me."

For the first time since he entered the room, genuine relief appeared in Roseline’s eyes.

"Good," she whispered.

"I’m glad you understand now."

Then, after a moment of silence, she added softly,

"So let me be selfish one last time."

"Please protect Alicia... and your child."

"They’re your family now."

Alexander’s eyes reddened instantly.

"I promise, Nana."

His voice grew hoarse again.

"And I’m sorry... it’s all my fault things ended up like this. If I hadn’t—"

"Shh."

Roseline stopped him immediately.

"I already told you."

"It’s not your fault."

Her gaze remained gentle and firm.

"Never carry guilt for something you never intended."

Because Roseline knew him too well.

She knew how deeply Alexander blamed himself whenever someone he loved got hurt.

And the last thing she wanted... was for him to spend the rest of his life trapped by guilt.

So even now, in her final moments, she was still trying to comfort him.

After a long silence, Alexander finally nodded faintly.

Then, after carefully helping adjust her blanket, he slowly stood and walked toward the door.

A moment later, he stepped outside to call Alicia in.