After hanging up the phone, L gently patted Nova''s fluffy little head. "It is a good thing," she mumbled.


    In the afternoon, she took a nap. But halfway through, the ringing of her phone woke her up. when she saw that it was Nicole calling, she hesitated for a moment before answering.


    "L-L." Nicole''s voice was choked with emotion, and L instantly felt the sleepiness vanish. a sudden, unsettling panic gripped her heart.


    "L, could youe to the hospital? Grandma doesn''t have much time left. Pleasee see her onest time."


    L''s mind went nk. "I''ll be right there!" She didn''t even have time to put on her socks. She just threw on a jacket and rushed out the door.


    Amelia, who had been rxing in the living room, was startled. "What''s wrong?"


    "Ame, can I borrow your car? Grandma... she''s not doing well. I need to go see her!"


    Noticing the tears in her eyes, Amelia immediately rose to her feet. "Calm down. She''s going to be fine, okay? Mrs. Morgan Senior''s been in good health, after all," she reassured L as she grabbed the car keys.


    There was no way she''d let L drive in that state.


    Amelia drove right through two red lights on the way there. When they finally arrived, the emergency room light had just been turned off. The doctor stepped out, shaking his head, his expression full of pity.


    L nearly copsed but was steadied by Amelia. Kieran arrived soon after and helped support her. Amelia nced over. L, holding onto her hand, walked back to the hospital room.


    "My dear L... I''m sorry." Amelie''s voice was weak, her eyes dimming, and the warmth in her hand had faded.


    L gripped her hand tightly, trying to warm up, but Amelie pulled ker hand away. "If I had insisted on clearing your parents'' name back then, would we be able to say goodbye properly now?"


    L leaned down, wrapping her arms around the elderly woman. It had only been half a month since theyst saw each other, but Amelie had lost so much weight.


    "I don''t me you anymore, Grandma. So please stay with me, okay?" Her voice trembled as she stayed bent over, too afraid to look up.


    Tears rolled down Amelie''s cheeks. "I hope you know that I really love you, L." She held L''s hand and ced it in Kieran''s. "Everyone has to leave Earth eventually. I''m just afraid that when I''m gone, someone will take advantage of you."


    Tears streamed down L''s face, and she could hardly speak through the sobs.


    "You''re a good girl, L. But... before.


    I go, I want to ask you, will you... be


    with Kieran?" Her voice was frail, filled with guilt and a sorrow that was hard to express.


    L held Kieran''s hand tightly. "Don''t worry, Grandma. We''ll be fine." Amelie gently squeezed her hand back.


    "Grandma, I''ve never really med you. Could you stay with me a little longer? Just for a while... please?"


    However, Amelie had already closed her eyes, never to open them again. "Grandma..." L gently shook her arm. "We haven''t said a proper goodbye yet!"


    Kieran took her hand, his fingertips cold like the snow that had fallen earlier. He tucked the nket around the elderly woman and smoothed her hair.


    Outside, the night had already fallen heavily. "Goodnight," he whispered.