FLASH MARRIAGE; CHARMED BY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE CEO-Chapter 379: Peace

"Hello, my princess." Gregory's voice trembled with joy as he waved at his daughter through the screen, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Hi, Daddy!" Amelia's face lit up like a sunrise, her cheeks flushed a soft, rosy pink. "Oh, I've missed you so much!"

"Not as much as I've missed you, my angel," he replied, his smile tender. "You look radiant." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"So do you. I wish I could just teleport over and wrap you in one of my super squishy hugs."

Gregory chuckled, blinking back tears as he drank in her vibrant smile — a smile that filled the room like sunshine.

Blaze stood silently by, letting the moment breathe as father and daughter exchanged their affections. But when Amelia asked after her grandmother, Blaze stepped forward, gently taking the phone for Gregory.

"About that, sweetheart..." Blaze said softly, his tone shifting as he inhaled deeply. "...there's something I need to tell you."

Amelia's smile wavered, her brow creasing. "Is something wrong?"

Blaze nodded slowly. "Yes… but I don't want you to panic. If it were up to me, I wouldn't have told you yet, but... you deserve to know."

Amelia's eyes narrowed, her voice low. "This is about my grandmother, isn't it?"

Blaze hesitated slightly before nodding.

"She's… she's not dead, is she?" The panic in Amelia's voice was unmistakable.

"No, baby. She's alive." Blaze rushed to reassure her. "But… please take a deep breath for me."

Clutching her chest, Amelia inhaled slowly. "Okay... done."

"Good. How do you feel?"

"A little better. Now please talk to me."

"Is my mum around?" Blaze asked gently, noting the background — the familiar white curtains of their bedroom.

"No. She went to the neighboring island for blueberries. But I'm not alone. Dr. Vanessa and the staff are here. So, you can talk to me."

"Alright then..." He nodded. "But promise me you'll stay calm."

"I promise."

Blaze took one last breath, watching her carefully before opening nup to her.

"Your grandmother is very ill. The doctors believe she only has a few days or even hours left."

Amelia's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh my God…" Her eyes shimmered, on the verge of tears.

"Remember your promise, my love," Blaze said softly. Catch the formatted version at M|V|LEM_PYR.

Amelia nodded, blinking rapidly. Her voice cracked. "Can I speak to my father?"

Blaze turned the camera. Gregory's face filled the screen again.

"Dad… please… can I talk to Nana?" Amelia's voice was shaky but firm.

A warm, sorrowful smile crossed Gregory's face. "It's as though your heart heard hers. She's been asking to see you too."

"Really?" Amelia wiped a tear away quickly, not wanting to seem fragile.

"Yes." Gregory chuckled, though grief sat heavily in his chest. "Give me a minute while I get to her." He handed the phone back to Blaze and stepped away.

Moments later, the scene changed. Nana Shawls, fragile and sunken, sat upright in her hospital bed. Her body had withered, but the spark in her eyes still flickered faintly. Blaze held the phone at her side. Gregory was beside her, gently stroking her hand.

Amelia's face glowed on the screen, her expression caught between joy and heartbreak.

"Amelia…?" Nana Shawls squinted, trying to bring the image into focus. "Is that really you?"

"Yes, Nana. It's me." Amelia smiled through her tears, blowing kisses. "I'm here."

"Here, Mom. This will help." Gregory gently slipped her glasses on.

Nana blinked. "Ah, there you are… So beautiful and radiant just like Fiona when she carried you."

The mention of her mother's name nearly undid Amelia. She bit down on her lower lip to stifle a sob as sweet memory of her mother flashed across her mind.

"Thank you, Nana. I... I wish I'd known you were this ill. I would've found a way to reach out sooner."

"Hush, my child. You're here now. That's all that matters." Her voice was weak but full of love. "All I prayed for was one last look at your face."

"Don't say that, Nana," Amelia pleaded, her voice breaking. "You're not going anywhere. You still have decades left in you."

Nana let out a fragile laugh. "Decades? Sweetheart, these bones barely have days."

"You're strong," Amelia whispered fiercely. "You've always been strong. You can fight this."

Nana's lips quivered, her eyes glistening. "How did I get so blessed with a soul like you? And yet… I failed you. I failed your mother."

"Please, Nana, don't—"

"Let me finish," Nana said, raising a trembling hand. "Before I no longer can."

Amelia fell silent, tears slipping freely now.

"I was cruel, cold and prideful. I drove your mother away when I should have embraced her. I spoke words that can never be unsaid. And I let hate win when love was what I owed you both."

Gregory wept beside his mother, his head bowed.

Blaze blinked away his own tears, moved by the rawness of her regret.

"Every night I lie here and I see it all — the things I did, the things I didn't. I would trade anything to undo them. I would give my breath to bring Fiona back to you."

She paused, gasping lightly.

"I know you've forgiven me once… but I needed to say it. I'm sorry, Amelia. From the deepest part of me. You are my greatest blessing. I am so proud of you. And I pray your child never causes you the sorrow I caused my own."

"Nana… please…" Amelia's voice cracked. "Don't say goodbye."

Nana smiled, her tears gliding down her cheeks like rain on stone.

"It's not goodbye, my child. It's just goodnight. And when morning comes… if you don't see me, look to the sun. I'll be there, warming you always."

Amelia sobbed softly. "I forgive you, Nana. I love you, so, so much."

"Thank you, my angel…" Nana whispered, her soul finally exhaling its burden. She gave Gregory a gentle nod and he helped her lie back down, his hand never leaving hers.

Blaze left the room to be with his wife, whose heart was breaking across miles.

When he returned minutes later, Nana Shawls had passed — a soft smile etched on her face, as though she had finally found peace.