S31 22. Heart to Heart
Philip followed Diana. The old woman was walking towards the front porch. When she arrived near the pole, she gripped her
chest and staggered. Philip quickly grabbed her elbow.
“Grandma, are you okay?"
Diana gasped. As she turned around, tears welled up in her eyes. Her hands waved, asking Philip to step back.
“Please... leave me alone. | don’t want to see anyone.” Her breath was ragged.
‘But you don’t look well. Are you sick?”
Philip brought his head forward, examining Diana more closely. He was now sure that her face was redder than usual.
“Do you still take medicine regrly
Diana''s lips trembled even more intensely. In the past, she felt warm every time she received attention from the children he cared
for. Bu now, her chest was burning. She became increasingly irritated.
“Don''t pretend to care about me. | don’t need your fake attention.”
With unsteady steps, Diana approached a chair. She sat there with her head in her hands. Philip could only watch her in silence
fora
while.
“Grandma,” he called as the rise and fall of Diana''s shoulders
subsided.
Not getting an answer, he approached. He lowered his knees in front of Diana. His hand reached for her wrinkled fingers.
“Grandma,” he called softly. When he caught the eyes full of hurt, he
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smiled as best he could.
“Do you remember the first day you picked me up?”
The glint in Diana''s eyes gave off another impression. However, the old woman seemed reluctant to reveal it. She looked down,
staring
away.
Meanwhile, Philip took a deep breath. His mind was now dominated by memories. “At that time, | was very confused. How could
everyone | loved leave me at the same time? Grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, and brother.” Philip mentioned his family
one by one. Longing
vibrated his vocal cords.
“I was still so young, but | remember how | felt at that time. Sad, angry, confused. | kept wondering. What would happen to me?
How should I continue living? How could keep going?”
After a few blinks, Philip was drawn back to reality. Diana apparently no longer avoided his eyes.
“Then you came. You offered me a ce to stay, helped me pack, and then introduced me to lots of friends.”
The curve of Philips lips was suddenly broken byughter. Not a happyugh, but one that was full of pain and sorrow.
“Slowly, | learned to walk again. | started to know which one was the right direction. You''re the light that guided me out of the
darkness, Grandma.”
Philip fell silent for a moment, sorting out which other memories to discuss. When he found one, the corners of his lips twitched
faintly.
“Do you remember? In the past, | always called you Mrs. Johnson.”
Diana didn’t answer. She took a deep breath, denying the emotion that was bubbling in her lungs.
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“That moment is still vivid in my mind. You''re holding my hand like this.” Philip cupped Diana''s hands tightly.
“Then you gave me such a warm smile. In that instant, all the longing in me was erased. | seemed to see my mother’s smile on
your face. Also the smile of my father, my brother ... everyone.”
Philip''s
‘s voice began to fade. His eyes were misty, but he controlled his feelings as best he could..
“And you asked me to call you Grandma. | really wanted to cry and hug you. But | was embarrassed. My father said that boys
shouldn''t be spoiled or whiny. Because of that, | held it in. | pretended to be strong and still thought of you as a stranger.”
A smallugh escaped Philip''s lips, mixed with a gasp that caught in
his throat.
“Then you bribed me with a candy. You easily overcame my shyness. | couldn''t possibly refuse. That''s my favorite candy.”
Philip shrugged his shoulders, trying hard to hold back tears.
“From then on, | started calling you Grandma. And from then on, | no longer consider you a stranger. You''re my new parent. You
are the one | always look up to.”
With his head bowed, Philip pulled on his ne until he could reach an oval pendant. “And you are my family.”
Diana''s eyebrows suddenly rose. She knew the pendant. She was the one who hung it around Philip''s neck. She was also the
one puta
picture of Philips family in it.
However, when the pendant opened, her breath hitched. It wasn’t a family photo that she saw, but a candy wrapper that was
neatly folded and faded in color.
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“I don’t have a picture of you. So, this is all I can add to my pendant.” Philip picked up the stic wrap with his fingertips.
Realizing how ridiculous he was, he chuckled.
“Actually, | nned not to eat it. | wanted to keep the candy forever. But one day, ants ate it. So, | had to clean it and eat it. The
candy has be a part of my body now. It''s in my blood.”
Philip smiled and nodded. Then, carefully, he put the small package inside the pendant.
“Therefore, please don''t assume my concern for you is fake. It hurts. my feelings.” Philip clutched his chest, wincing to express
his agony.
However, Diana did not make a sound. Her mouth was pressed tightly, just as her hands were gripped with determination.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
“You still consider me as you oO
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Diana looked away. Philip''s
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Still kneeling, Philip waited for an answer. However, the response he expected was never heard. Little by little, the twinkle in his
eyes faded.
“So it''s true? You no longer consider me a grandson.”
Diana nced slightly. The sadness she showed was mixed with hatred. Philip had never received that look before. Swallowing
hard,
he looked down.
“Okay,” he nodded slowly. “I really shouldn''t have my hopes too high. A lot can happen in one day, let alone years. You have the
right to stop liking me. But..."
Philip looked up. The look in his eyes was hard to decipher. Too much
emotion involved in it.
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“At least, please tell me. What did | do wrong? Why did you suddenly hate me because we weren''t like this before? When | left,
you even cried while hugging me. That was one of the bluest days in my life.”
“Stop, Philip. Don''t try to influence me, let alone poison me with guilt.”
Philip''s brows furrowed. “Guilt?”
Diana shook her head. Her eyes closed. “Don’t make me talk about it.”
“About what?” Philip sighed, confused.
“About the purpose of youring here!” Diana''s emotions finally broke out. Her eyes were now filled with more red streaks.
“You were the one who dare to bring those people to disturb my peace. Then, should | feel guilty? No!”
Philip was stunned. His head shook, expecting further exnation.
“What do you mean, Grandma? | never meant to disturb your peace.’ Philip lowered his eyebrows.
“Then why did you conspire with them?”
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