He wiped the corner of his eye and gave me a gentle smile.
We stared at each other in silence for a long moment before I spoke, my voice hoarse.
"Where's Grandpa? I need to see him."
His gaze shifted away, refusing to meet mine.
"You have no idea how worried I was about you. As long as you're okay, that's all that matters. Really."
I looked around the room and immediately realized this wasn't our home.
I struggled to sit up, my fingers trembling as I grabbed my clothes and threw them on haphazardly, ready to leave.
"You're always saying I never have time for you, aren't you?"
He caught my arm, his tone gentle yet brooking no argument.
"Just stay here and rest for a few days, okay? I won't let anyone disturb us."
His grip was iron-tight around my arm. I pried his fingers off and looked him straight in the eye.
"Charles, please let me see Grandpa. He raised me. It's been just the two of us my whole life."
"He means everything to me. I'm begging you—just let me see him once."
"Now isn't the right time."
His voice remained patient, measured.
"Calm down for a few days first. I'll take you to see him soon."
But this was Grandpa.
The person closest to me in this entire world.