Chapter 828

Just as Renee was wondering if she should just allow Francine to take the kids with her, the old woman’s voice turned unusually serious. “Ren, I know you still hold resentment towards the family. I know you hate my son, and you hate me too. I understand that we were horrible towards you, but Grandpa Timothy has always treated you with nothing but sincerity, hasn’t he? He always treated you like you were his own granddaughter, right?”

“I will always remember the kindness he showed me,” Renee admitted.

“So please, can you go along with it just this once? For his sake? We just want him to be happy.”

Renee remained silent.

Seeing that the woman wasn’t giving in, Francine sighed. “You might not know this, but the old man’s health is deteriorating rapidly. The doctor said he wasn’t even sure if he’d make it through winter this year.”

“What?” Renee felt her heart sink. “But didn’t Grandpa Timothy go through a heart transplant surgery?

It went really well too! So why…”

“Child, have you already forgotten that the surgery was four years ago? He’s become older during the time you left Beach City. Besides, a heart transplant can only do so much – it doesn’t take away the health risks that come with old age. He also has other underlying health issues as well, which is why his condition isn’t as good as you think.”

“Grandpa Timothy never told me about any of this! Every time I went to see him, he was always so energetic. I really thought he was getting better…” Renee protested, her eyes reddening. Timothy was like her own grandfather, after all. Thinking about how the kind old man was going to go, just like how Maurice did, she felt extremely heartbroken.

“The old man talked about you every single day while you were gone, you know? He would lecture Stefan sometimes, saying that he was a fool for letting go of such an amazing wife. He prayed for you to come back all the time, wishing that you would make up with Stefan, and give birth to beautiful children…”

Francine had always been a tough person, but even she had a lump in her throat as she spoke. She let out a cough and continued, “Stef actually didn’t want me to tell you any of this, as he didn’t want to use this to guilt-trip you.”

“The old man prohibited me from mentioning it too. All he wanted was for you two to make amends, and for you, especially, to live a happy life. He didn’t want you to force yourself for any reason. But every day, I watch as the old man’s condition worsens, and I get scared and worried that he might pass with regrets. So I…” Francine trailed off, unable to continue.

She knew that it was wrong to suddenly take the little ones away, and that Renee’s anger was completely justified. However, she didn’t want to delay this any longer, especially with the situation at hand. Abby and Adie were still young and healthy, so they could surely endure a little traveling, but the old man didn’t have much time left.

“I understand.” Renee took a deep breath, replying after collecting her thoughts. “If the kids can make Grandpa Timothy happy, then please take them for a visit. My issues with Stefan Hunt should not affect them at all.”

“Ren, I always knew you were a generous person. I don’t get how me and Stef never noticed how great you are, and fell for that sly woman’s tricks instead…”

“There’s no need to talk about the past. I’m not that generous either. When the children return after Grandpa Timothy’s passing, I will officially wage war against the Hunts,” Renee replied coldly and hung up right after.

She then returned to Stefan’s room, suppressing her burning rage as she questioned him. “Why didn’t you tell me about Grandpa Timothy’s condition?!”

The man was calm, but his handsome face was consumed by melancholy. “It’s a family matter, so there was no need to inform you.”