Zach picked up his wife from work as soon as he received her call about Old Madam Liu"s situation. Thea said they should go to the hospital directly because Old Madam Liu had been mentioning Zach"s name before she fainted.
"Thea told me that she has changed a lot from that day she met you at our wedding. She often saw her crying, asking Charles for forgiveness and hoping for you to accept her and the Liu family, as your own," Keira explained during their ride to the hospital.
Then she added, "Maybe she genuinely wants to have you in her family… After all, your dad is her real son, and your mom said she loved him the most."
Old Madam Liu was known as someone who was overprotective of her own family. She had taken Thom Liu under her custody and raised him even though he was not her own son. If she could do that much for him, who was her late husband"s mistress" son, imagine how much more she longed to have Zach by her side, who was her own blood.
Zach did not respond, and Keira could tell that he was deeply absorbed in thought. She took her mobile phone to inform Thea that they were already on their way to the hospital.
"What? Alright… Got it," Keira sighed as soon as she ended the phone call.
"What"s wrong?" Zach muttered. Although it had only been a short time since he knew about his real ident.i.ty, he could already feel a soft spot in his heart toward the old lady. He didn"t understand it either, but maybe it was because of their blood relation.
"They are double-checking her test results right now. The results don"t look so good... Old Madam Liu has regained her consciousness, but she keeps on crying and asking for you…"
The couple arrived at the hospital and saw Senior Liu and Jeru outside the old madam"s private ward with their shoulders slumped. Jeru saw them approaching and whispered, "They"re here..."
Senior Liu gestured for them to follow him first, so they did.
They went to a waiting area not far from Old Madam Liu"s room. Senior Liu looked at Zach and said, "The results are out… Mother has a heart disease."
Senior Liu informed them what he had learned from the doctors. The doctors had emphasized how important it was not to stress the old madam for fear of triggering another attack.
"Another attack could be fatal. So please, I beg you, Zach. Just this once… Please, just agree to whatever she"s asking. I know I"m selfish for asking you this, but she is my mother. Though not by blood, but she has protected me well, and she has provided me with everything my real mother did not even care to do… No matter what, she will remain the only mother for me, and I will do anything for her," begged Senior Liu with a shaky voice.
His mother might be a horrible person to others, but she had only done things that she thought were right to protect his and Jeru"s best interest. Senior Liu knew that deep inside, his mother really cared for him and Jeru. She loved them in her own way that others might not be able to understand.
Keira"s face softened upon seeing how desperate Senior Liu was at that moment. She held Zach"s hand and met his eyes.
Zach drew out a long breath before he looked at Senior Liu and said, "I understand, Uncle…"
Inside Old Madam Liu"s private ward, Thea, who was looking after her, whispered, "They"ve arrived, Grandma, so keep sobbing… They will be here any moment..."
Old Madam Liu crumpled her face and complained, "My eyes sting already…" Her eyes would run out of tears soon, so how come Zach and Keira were not inside yet?
Thea tried her best to hide her laughter. Their situation right now was so awkward, but funny. Who would have imagined that the time when she would become the infamous old madam"s partner in crime would come?
"Oh, Zach, please forgive me… This a white lie… Please help me again this time," She begged silently, hoping that Zach would not mind.
"Please check again," Old Madam Liu asked Thea impatiently.
"At least she knew how to use the word Please..." Thea noticed before she got up and walked to the door to peek outside.
She saw Jeru talking to the doctor. Then she saw Zach and Keira approaching the room with Jeru"s dad...
She rushed back to Old Madam Liu"s side and hurriedly said, "They"re coming… Cry more, Grandma, but don"t overdo it. You"re not allowed to cry so hard. Not good for your heart."
When they heard the sound of the door opening, the two women promptly continued their performance. They acted as though they didn"t hear the door. Old Madam Liu continued to sob and hug Thea, while Thea was patting the old madam"s back and said, "Grandma, stop crying. I"m sure Zach will understand and accept your request. Besides, you only want it because you want to get to know him more and spend time with him. Any family would do the same, Grandma, so I believe Zach will understand it..."
Their hug was interrupted by Jeru"s voice, "Grandma, Zach is here with Keira."
Old Madam Liu feigned surprise, as she immediately released Thea, wiped her tears, and smiled, "Oh, they are here? Come, come... I want to see my grandson near me. Thea, please give them some chairs..."
Jeru was quietly observing his wife with a raised eyebrow. He found it so odd seeing his grandmother and Thea being so affectionate with each other.
"Have I been staying in the office too much and missed a lot of things?" He thought to himself but quickly brushed it off. Maybe Thea"s hard work had yielded a good result, and she was now a step closer to winning his grandmother"s heart.
Or perhaps his grandmother had really changed for the better. It was not impossible because he had changed too.
Senior Liu put his hand on his son"s shoulder and signaled him to let Zach and Keira alone with his grandmother. Jeru looked at Thea, who nodded and walked toward them in understanding.
Jeru, Thea, and Senior Liu were at the hospital"s cafe to grab some coffee when Jeru asked, "Do you think Zach will agree?"
Senior Liu sighed and answered, "I"m not sure, but I think he will."
Thea smiled widely as she was hopeful. She looked at her husband lovingly and unknowingly whispered, "Zach must agree..."