Chapter 485
Percival drove the car in silence. Odalys sat in the passenger seat while Evander occupied the back. None of them spoke a word during the journey.
When they arrived at Stewart Villa. Percival pulled over and parked by the side.
“Evander, take it slow. Odalys said as she got out of the car, walking around to open the door for Evander.
“Percival joined her, helping Evander out.
The three of them stood in the courtyard, not stepping further inside.
“Odalys, you said you brought him back, Is he here? Evander’s voice trembled.
He glanced around an indescribable feeling welling up inside him. His gaze naturally fell on the century–old tree in the courtyard, a place he had never paid much attention to before.
But as he stepped out of the car, something about this place felt different. It was a mix of sorrow and unease. It was a feeling he couldn’t quite articulate, but it weighed heavily on him
“As an old soldier, Evander had endured blood and hardship without shedding a tear, but tonight, he felt inexplicably hollow.
“In the ume tunnel, he had thought of his son. Morpheus. Now, back at Stewart Villa, he thought of him again.
Evander regretted not having more conversations with Morpheus when he was alive, always caught up in family matters. Even after Morpheus passed, he hadn’t given him a proper farewell. The guilt gnawed at him.
“Evander, under the tree. Odalys said softly.
“With Percivals support, Evander took careful steps
toward the tree.
They stood there together, saying nothing, as though silently accompanying someone, or perhaps silently speaking to someone.
“The wind rustled through the leaves, its cool touch carrying the chill of night. A few yellow leaves drifted to the ground, landing quietly
“Good, it’s back.” Evander murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
He seemed to age visibly in that moment, his once–straight back now hunched. Slowly, he bent down, brushing away the fallen leaves and weeds with his hands.
“Leaning against the u
tree trunk, he let himself sit on the ground.
“Dad’s here to keep you company. Evander said softly.
“He sat there in silence, gently touching the soil as if stroking something precious.
“Odalys turned her head, feeling a lump in her throat Percival stood still, quiet and steady.
Tune ticked by Evander muttered something under his breath, perhaps speaking to himself. He leaned against the tree, eyes closed, his voice carrying faint laughter mixed with choked sobs.
At 1:20 am, Percival looked at Exander’s closed.eyes.
“Grandpa, Percival called out, his voice hoarse. There was no response.
“Percival called out to Evander in a deep voice, but Evander remained silent, causing him to panie.
“Grandpa, Percival ralled out agai
Odalys noticed his sudden alarm and saw him stumble forward. Standing in front of Exander, Percival extended a trembling hand to check
breath
He felt a faint warmth and heard a soft haan.
“He’s asleep. Odalys whispered.
1/3
his
7:52 AM C
Chapter 485
then and there.
“Percival was a little embarrassed. He had been terrified that his grandfather would die right then a
“He had never considered his grandfather old until this moment when he was suddenly struck by his grandfather’s age
“Yes, he’s asleep,” Percival said, his voice heavy with mixed emotions,
he’d never
“Percival was always stoic, consumed by the Stewart family business. However, sering Evander in such a state tonight made him realize h truly been present for his family
Percival crouched down and carefully picked up Evander.
“This was the first time Percival’d ever held his grandfather. He’d always thought Evander was so full of energy that he did protection, but now he realized how old Evander was.
didn’t need anyone’s
Despite Evander’s usually imposing physique, when Percival lifted him, he felt weightless.
Percival held Evander tightly as they walked towards Stewart Villa. Odalys remained silent, quietly accompanying him. “After Percival carried Evander upstairs, she hurried ahead to open the door, and Percival gently laid him on the bed.
“He’s likely overwhelmed with grief: Odalys said softly, lowering her voice as if afraid to wake Evander.
“As Percival softly responded, they noticed a collection of photographs neatly arranged on a table by the window while turning to leave. Odalys stepped forward and stood before the table.
She saw numerous photographs displayed across the entire wall, featuring Percival, his father, his great–grandfather, and many other figures, both familiar and unknown
“One year, two years, three years, Odalys read the simple labels beneath the photos. Her gaze wavered.
years since my
“Odalys’s gaze flickered as she took in the marked years, struck by the bitterness in Percival’s voice when he said, “These mark the years father passed”
“Unbeknownst to them. Evander had quietly documented the passing years, fearing that one day he might grow too old to remember They stood there together, saying nothing
“After a long while, Percival reached out and tightly grasped Odalys’s hand. Though he said nothing at first, the strength in his grip conveyed everything he felt
“Odalys. I want to be with s
+ you” Peroval said.
“He lowered his gaze to look at her, taking in her delicate features, her flawless appearance. Never before had he felt such an overwhelming urge to hold on to stroje.
“He believed he was rating death and wanted to cure yeamed to live, to truly embrace life.
freedon, even meticulously planning her future without him. However, now he
He wanted to live to protect her. He wanted to live to stay by his grandfather’s side through old age. He wanted to carry the weight of their world on
There were too many things to do. But no matte
no matter how difficult it was, he wanted to live.
“Alrigha Odalys responded, uniling up at him.
At first marrying Percival had been nothing more than a
a means to escape the Stewart family. Healing him had been an unexpected detour. always belonged there Everything they had endured together had bound her too tigluly to walk away.
sad shown her something unexpected. She wanted to be part of the Stewart family. Or perhaps, deep down, she had
“You’re tired, are your first
Wuirver
Percival saish
motions lingered at the moment, there was plenty of time to face them later. Life stretched out i
out long before them. dirty clothes. Nodding, she quickly turned to leave, heading back to her room.
“At his suggestion, Cdalys became aware of hers
Percival watched her retreating figure until she disappeared into her room. Only then did he make his way to the study.
After her shower, Odalys dried her hair and leaned against the bed, her gaze drifting to the moonlight spilling through the floor–to–ceiling window,
“Time tunnels, the j
e junction of energy. If the two are connected, does that mean only I can open the time tunnel?” she murmured.
“The night’s mysteries and the time tunnel weighed heavily on her mind. She held her breath, trying to stop herself from thinking about it further. “But the scene from tonight kept replaying in her head. Unable to shake it off, she hurriedly climbed out of bed and saw a figure standing outside the window. When she focused her gaze, she recognized it was Percival’s father, Morpheus.
“He was holding a cup, tilting his head slightly as he met her eyes. Then, he raised his hand and gestured for her to come closer.
“Morpheus, Odalys whispered as she walked barefoot to the floor–to–ceiling window.
Although Morpheus was sitting under the tree in the courtyard, his figure seemed to be right outside her window. Oddly enough, she didn’t feel afraid. Instead, she reached out and took the cup he offered her
