Chapter 464 Life Slipping Away

Nell nodded and turned her gaze toward the ward. “How’s Grandfather?” Joseph’s complexion turned glum at that mention. He sighed. “There isn’t much time left. Head on in for a look. Remember to keep it short.” Nell nodded. She took strides into the ward while Gideon, Liam, and the rest waited outside instead of following her in. They knew that the old master only wanted to meet Nell by herself during this time. It was best that they left those two alone. Nell put on a protective suit before entering on her own. The old man at death’s door lay in bed with his eyes shut. Perhaps it was the sound of footsteps that led him to peek open a crack and turned his head toward her with much difficulty. Nell’s footsteps halted there. She told herself to be strong but the sight of Old Master Garrett lying there flooded her red eyes with tears. “Nel-Nelly.” He reached out to her. The latter pursed her lips tight in an attempt to swallow the lump in her throat before taking two steps ahead to hold his hand. “Grandfather, you’re awake. How are you feeling?” The old man gazed at her, his eyes a daze. It took a while before he weakly answered, “I thought I was dreaming. It’s really you.” At that very moment, the strength that Nell had built up for so long came crumbling down to total demolition by his words. She held the old man’s boney hand and bawled her eyes out. Compared to her pain, Old Master Garrett seemed rather at peace. Quietly lying there, he met her eyes with compassion and lovingness for a very long time and softly spoke, “Nelly, hear me out.” Sobbing, Nell nodded. Her tears could not be stopped. Perhaps he could sense that he was nearing the end, the old man did not demand that she stopped the tears. Instead, he slowly said, “I’ve let three people down in my life. “Cough cough... One was your mother. If-if it wasn’t for me, she wouldn’t have parted with her loved one nor would she be laid to rest at such a young age. I was too... Selfish. I thought that separation was the best choice for her so I created a misunderstanding between them. Your... “Your mother resented me my whole life and once I pass, I’ll ask her for forgiveness. The-the second person is your father. “Your father was a good man. What happened between him and your mother wasn't his fault. If someone were to be blamed, it’d be the corrupt custom in the family and the irony of fate. I forcefully tore them apart, leaving your father down in the dumps which inadvertently led to his suicide. I owe him more than an apology. “The third person is you.” He slowly turned his head over and gazed at Nell. His skinny hand dotingly caressed her face as his eyes glistened a reflection of tears. “Nelly, because of what I’ve done, you wound up in the streets at such a young age. I failed you. I don’t have any other ways to make it up to you with my time on earth running out. I hope you don’t hate me.” With that, he suddenly violently coughed, threatening to cough his lung out. Nell immediately extended her arm out to rub his back. Old Master Garrett closed his eyes and slowly replied, “Nelly, I owe you too much so it’s all right even if you won’t take me as your grandfather a hundred years later. I’ve agree-agreed to an organ donation, to use my ragged body to do my last bit for the world, and to atone my sin to you...” “Grandfather, don’t say that.” Nell choked with sobs. “Good girl, be well. Grandfather will look over you. You must live well.” With these last words said, his voice abruptly dwindled. Nell felt the hand that she was holding on to went limp. The arm then followed with a plop. Dumbstruck, her heart sank altogether. On the side, the heart rate monitor began to howl a violent beep. Entering from the outside, Joseph took a glance and soon, color washed off his face. He sprinted out and shouted, “Doctor, where’s the doctor?” “Coming.” A nearby doctor ran in. Joseph turned his gaze toward Nell and found her standing there like a statue with her eyes vacant. Her face was pale, looking numb and blank. He felt for her and after a while, he let out a soft sigh. “Nelly, why don’t you get up first?” Nell coiled her fingers, joint by joint. There was a buzz in her ear when suddenly, she was pulled away by someone and quickly, she fell into a warm embrace. Gideon held onto her, watching with a poker face as the doctors provided first-aid to Old Master Garrett. However, there was no more hope. Several minutes later, the doctors pronounced the old master’s time of death. As he had signed an agreement to donate his organs, the doctors needed to make haste with the procedures of harvesting and transport before the body stiffened. Joseph was a man after all, and was older than her by decades. Hence, he was able to keep an open mind toward life and death. As he did not have the heart to see her at a loss, he walked over. “They’re going to take him away, do you...” He paused before finally solemnly continuing. “Do you need anything to remember him by?” After signing an organ donation agreement, even the family was not allowed to touch anything on the departed. Nell looked toward him and in the end, shook her head. “He’s living in my heart. This is the best way to remember him by.” Joseph bobbed his head and soon, the doctors sought several people over to push him away. As there were still a lot of procedures to deal with, Joseph followed the doctors out, leaving the ward empty. Nell stood there with the sunlight radiating from the window, casting over her shoulders, as cold as snow. She shut her eyes. It was as though the air lingered with the old man’s last breath and his heavy-hearted words. “Nelly, don’t hate me...” Tears began to flow. With downcast eyes, Gideon silently held her tight. Nell feebly leaned against his body, like a lost boat at sea finally docking onto a harbor. Unable to hold it in any further, she clung onto his shoulders and burst out crying. It was unknown when Liam had come in. He sighed. “Nell, all things must come to an end. My condolences.” Nell did not speak. The crying outside was by the Garrett family. No matter if it was sincere or fake, everyone displayed emotion of grief. ... Old Master Garrett’s funeral was a simple one. This was specifically requested by the old master before his death. He believed that his faults outweighed his merits in life so he did not want a big funeral. Apart from close friends and family, no one else was allowed to his funeral. The funeral was, of course, with a cenotaph. Having served the army for half of his life, the old master took an indifferent stance toward life and death. He was not concerned with the trivial and elaborate customs that followed after death.