Not twins novel (Natasha and Kenneth)

Liam woke up and found that it was already quite late.

The entire city had fallen into darkness, yet the manor was brightly lit outside. The warm glow added a touch of tranquility to the estate.

Inside the room, Dan, the three children, and Terence were watching and waiting.

Terence realized something was amiss the moment he saw Liam open his eyes. He walked over. "How're you feeling, Liam? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Seeing this, the three children followed suit. "Great-grandpa, how are you?"

The eyes of the trio were filled with worry.

Liam opened his eyes, allowing his gaze to sweep across the room. Everybody was present except for Arissa.

Narrowing his eyes, he allowed his gaze to fall upon the three of them. "I'm fine!" Liam said in a low voice

"I'll get call Spencer!" said Denise, turning to leave.

"Denise," Liam called out to her, stopping her in her tracks.

Denise turned around.

"No need. I'm fine," Liam said softly. Though he seemed a little frail, it did not look like he was seriously ill.

"All right." Denise frowned, still feeling a bit worried.

"I know my own body," Liam said in a low voice. Then, surveying Denise with a complex expression, he added, "If possible, call your mother in. I have something to ask her."

Denise was taken aback by that request. Her gaze instinctively turned toward Anthony and Benjamin.

"Call Mommy..." Denise's brow creased slightly.

Liam nodded. "Mmm."

Terence, who was standing by at the moment, seemed to understand the children's intentions. After a moment of thought, he spoke up. "You should be resting, given your current condition. Save whatever you want to ask for tomorrow."

"This cannot wait!" Liam said bluntly.

Terence stared at him.

Liam returned the gaze. "Look, Terence, you should understand me more than anybody else. I will never rest if I don't get to the bottom of this, even when I'm dead!" Terence's brows creased at once. "Hey, what's this talk about dying? Can't you say something pleasant for once?"

"Pleasant words?" The thought brought a scornful smile to Liam's face. "What use are they? Can sugarcoating prevent all this? I've always believed that the Hamilton family has been upright and honest, and has never done anything wrong. But what have we gotten in return? Starting with Kenneth's parents, and then him... Has any of them ended up unscathed? What good would pleasant words do? The world is unjust" As he spoke, a sharp glint flashed across Liam's eyes.

The room fell silent following his outburst.

Though the others might be unaware, Terence knew. Having known each other since their youth, they were fully aware of everything that happened between them.

Pressing his lips together, Terence responded quietly, "Isn't it the same for everyone, Liam? Nat is all I have left. She is my everything. I won't survive if anything happens to her." As he spoke, he gazed at the three children. "You, on the other hand, are different. Look, you still have these three!"

Liam's gaze softened when he heard that. He turned his gaze toward the children.

The trio merely stood there, their tiny faces looking innocent and pitiful.

Liam furrowed his brows slightly.

Yes, indeed. Heaven sure knows how to torment people. Even in the most dire of circumstances, there's a glimmer of hope that compels you to keep going.

The three children were his reason to persevere.

When he arrived at that thought, a cryptic smile tugged at the corner of Liam's lips.

Watching him, Terence let out a deep sigh.

He knew, even in the presence of the three children, that they could never replace Kenneth's place in his heart; after all, he had raised and pampered him for so many years. It would not be the same.

The extent to which he valued Arissa was the same as the extent to which Liam valued Kenneth.

Do not unto others what you would not want done unto you.

Arriving at that thought, Terence said, "Nat is waiting at the door. she's afraid that you might get upset when you see her, so she doesn't dare come in. I'll call her in now!" Then, he headed straight for the door.

He had only taken a few steps when something occurred to him. He turned back to regard the three children by the bed. "All right, it's getting late. You three have been running around all day. You should head back to your rooms for some rest."

The three children exchanged glances.

Finally, with Anthony's nod of approval, the three of them started toward the door.

"We'll come see you again tomorrow, Gramps," Anthony told Terence before leaving.

Liam nodded.

And so, without further ado, the trio rose to their feet and left.

Watching them, Terence closely followed behind.

As soon as the door was shut, Liam's spirited demeanor crumpled. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Slumped on the bed, his usually optimistic face was now revealing bottomless sorrow and agony.

After exiting the door, the three children headed straight back to their rooms.

Terence looked at the person before him after they left. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Liam asked to see you."

Arissa nodded. "All right. Got it."

As he watched Arissa head toward the ward, Terence called softly, "Nat."

Arissa turned around.

Terence stared at her. Despite his reluctance, he steeled himself. "Liam is in a bad mood, so if he says something unpleasant—”

"I understand, Grandpa!" Arissa interrupted before he finished his sentence. Her eyes twinkled as she returned his gaze. "I deserve whatever Old Mr. Hamilton says or does."

Despite his heartache, Terence nodded. "Yes. I know you'd understand."

Arissa gave him a strained smile.

"Off you go, then!" said Terence.

Arissa retracted her gaze, nodded at him, and turned to walk inside.

When the door swung open, Dan leaned toward Liam. "I'll be in the kitchen to see if your medicine is ready."

Having been under his care for so long, Liam knew that Dan was doing it on purpose, so he nodded.

Thus, Dan walked toward the door and saw Arissa upon reaching it. As was his custom, Dan inclined his head respectfully.

Arissa did the same.

"The old man isn't doing too good. Please take good care of him," Dan implore.

Arissa nodded. "Mmm."

Then, Dan left the room, shutting the door behind him as he did so.

Suddenly, only the two of them were left in the room.

Seeing that they were alone, Arissa walked toward Liam. When she reached his bedside, she looked at him. "How're you feeling?"

Liam looked at her. "I can take it!" he asserted.

Arissa nodded, then took a seat quietly as if waiting to be scolded.

Liam looked at her. After hesitating for a long time, he began, "I called you here to ask what exactly happened. How did Kenneth end up this way?"