Chapter 150 Do Not Keep Vigil
Lenora’s heart skipped a beat, then promptly began to throb incessantly.
It must be someone’s idea of a prank, right?
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Yet, at that very moment, notifications from various platforms came pouring in. Regardless of which one she clicked on, they all contained related news.
In the news, Zachary was still wearing the same outfit he had on when he left earlier that day.
So, he really did end up going to the hospital.
Grandpa… Grandpa’s gone?
Grandpa, who has always doted on me, has passed away?
The news hit Lenora unexpectedly, like a brutal punch to the heart. Her emotions twisted painfully within her, a sour sensation filled her nose, and her eyes immediately reddened, brimming with unshed tears.
Just a few days ago, when Gerald had come to visit, he was perfectly healthy.
Just a few days ago, he had expressed his wish to hold has great–grandchild, promising to wait for her child’s birth.
Why all of a sudden…
No, no way. How could Grandpa bear to leave without seeing my child being born?
Lenora sniffed, immediately sitting up in bed, and called out, “Miranda, get the driver. I need to go to the hospital!”
She had to see Gerald one last time,
Miranda came in from outside, clearly having seen the news already, and advised, “Mrs. Fuller, Mr. Fuller called earlier, asking you to rest at home and not to go anywhere. You need to take care of your health…”
“I must go!” Lenora said through her tears. She didn’t want to trouble Miranda further, so she directly called Zachary
Once the call connected, Lenora didn’t wait for Zachary to speak. Choking back tears, she blurted out, “Zachary, have your driver come pick me up! I need to go to the hospital!”
“Nora, you-
“Don’t
try to persuade me! If the driver doesn’t come to pick me up, I’ll just walk there!”
After her father’s passing, Gerald and Allison were the kindest to her. They were her family. When her grandfather passed away, as his granddaughter, as his granddaughter–in–law, how could she not go?
Frowning, Zachary spoke in a low voice. “Stay put at home. I’m coming to get you.”
“Can you hurry up, then?” Lenora said, wiping away her tears.
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Chapter 150 Do Not Keep Vigil
“Don’t cry. I’m on my way.”
Lenora let out a noncommittal “Imm” in a subdued manner.
After hanging up the phone, Lenora changed her clothes, waiting anxiously.
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By today, the scab from the wound on her face had already fallen off, so showing up like this to see Gerald wouldn’t be too embarrassing-
Not long after, the sound of a car engine echoed through the courtyard.
Lenora hastily slipped on her shoes, eager to leave the bedroom.
As Zachary entered the living room, he immediately spotted Lenora appearing at the top of the second- floor staircase. He quickly called out to her, “Don’t move!”
He ascended the stairs in a few strides, immediately scooping up Lenora in his arms. Looking at her swollen eyes and the tears still wet on her cheeks, he frowned and asked, “Why did you get out of bed?”
“It’s just a few steps. No worries,”
“That won’t do either.”
Lenora didn’t argue with him about this. Instead, she quietly asked, “Grandpa was fine just a few days ago. How could he suddenly….
Zachary paused for a moment, his eyes downcast. “The last time Grandpa was hospitalized, Dr. Landon said he could only ensure Grandpa’s survival for three months at most… Grandpa’s health was deteriorating. He could pass away at any moment. It wasn’t sudden…”
Upon hearing this, Lenora started shedding tears again.
Zachary sighed, gently placing Lenora in the back seat of the car. He tenderly stroked her check, his thumb wiping away the tears that had gathered under her eyes. “Don’t cry,” he said softly, “Grandpa’s spirit, wherever he may be, wouldn’t want to see you like this. He always wanted to hold his great- grandchild. For Grandpa’s last wish, you must take good care of yourself and the child.”
With a soft whimper, Lenora responded while haphazardly wiping away her tears. Yet, her throat was raw and sore, and her lips involuntarily curved downwards. No matter what she did, she couldn’t stop the tears from flowing
Feeling helpless, Zachary pulled Lenora into his embrace, gently patting her back, as if comforting a child. “If you keep crying, you’ll turn into a little crybaby, he said.
The driver loaded the wheelchair and started the car.
The vehicle headed straight for the funeral home.
At that time, under Johanne’s arrangements, Gerald’s body was taken to the funeral home. There, his final appearance was tidied up and he was dressed in his bunal attire.
The mourning hall was also being arranged.
As they were nearing the funeral home, Zachary held Lenora’s hand gently instructing, “Once we’re there,
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Chapter 150 Do Not Keep Vigil
all you need to do is stay by Grandpa’s side. You don’t have to do anything else. Understand?”
“All right.”
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Mallory, already dressed in white, was waiting at the entrance of the funeral home. Upon seeing Zachary and Lenora approach, she handed them two white mourning outfits.
After they had changed into mourning outfits, Mallory voluntarily pushed the wheelchair forward and said, “Zack, you can go attend to your duties. I’ll take care of Nora here.”
“Thanks for your help, Mallory.” Zachary bent down again, instructing Lenora, “If you’re not feeling well, don’t force yourself to endure it. Make sure you tell me, I have to get back to work now.”
“All right.”
Zachary strode away quickly, leaving Mallory to guide Lenora toward the lounge. She looked at Lenora’s reddened eyes, offering words of comfort. “Nora, don’t be upset. Everyone goes through tough times. Grandpa wouldn’t want to see you like this.”
“I understand, Mallory,” Lenora spoke, her voice choked with emotion. “I just… I just miss Grandpa so much…” She couldn’t finish his sentence, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Ah, Zack had initially planned to keep this from you. However, he couldn’t help but blame those. unscrupulous media outlets. It infuriated Zack so much that he ended up smashing a camera.”
Indeed, this was Zachary’s character.
at this time
When his grandfather passed away, his grief was no less than hers. The arrival of the media at this would only add fuel to the fire.
“Such a significant matter… How could it possibly be concealed? It would be better to tell me the truth…
“He was only thinking of your best interest. Grandpa is currently being tidied up, while Grandma and Aunt Griselda are in the lounge. Let’s head over there and wait for them.”
“All right.”
In the lounge, Allison sat alone in a chair, lost in thought.
At this stage in Gerald’s life, his health had been consistently poor. Allison had long since prepared herself for this.
Before Gerald fell unconscious, he held her hand and spoke a great deal. The tears that needed to be shed. had already been shed. At this point, she wouldn’t break down in grief again, but her mood was incredibly heavy.
Upon seeing Mallory guiding Lenora in, Allison snapped back to reality. She gestured for them to come closer, saying, “Come over here.”
Mallory guided Lenora to a halt before Allison.
“Grandma.”
Allison clutched Lenora’s hand, letting out a sigh. “Nora, how did you end up here?”
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Chapter 150 Do Not Keep Vigil
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Lenora’s eyes reddened again. “Grandma, I had to come and see Grandpa one last time.”
“My dear… After visiting your grandpa, you should head home. He won’t blame you.”
Traditionally, the deceased would be kept in the memorial hall for three days before the grand funeral procession. During these three days, descendants were expected to mourn at the hall. However, modern society didn’t strictly adhere to these rules; exceptions were often made. For instance, pregnant women were not expected to keep vigil, and no one would question it.
Lenora shook her head in refusal, her gaze unwavering “Grandma, don’t worry. I’m fine.”
The three–day vigil wasn’t literally about kneeling in front of the spirit altar for three days straight. It was possible to take turns, and when exhaustion set in, one could rest in the lounge.
She was seated in a wheelchair, not kneeling, taking timely rests, so there shouldn’t be any issues.
Not having the chance to exchange a final word with Gerald was her greatest regret.
The Fuller family’s family mausoleum was located on the mountain, and she couldn’t accompany the funeral procession. She couldn’t witness her grandfather’s burial with her own eyes. All she could do at that moment was to express her filial piety to the best of her ability.
Allison, Griselda, and Mallory took turns trying to persuade her, but Lenora remained unmoved.
Zachary also tried to persuade her but to no avail. Left with no other options, he could only ask the housekeeper to stay by her side and take care of her, urging her to rest more.
Allison gently patted Lenora’s hand. “You’re such a good child. It’s no wonder Gerald adored you. Even when he was on his deathbed, he was still thinking about you, apologizing for not being able to help clear your name when public opinion was against you…”
