Chapter 5

I stared at Grandma's deathly pale face in horror, my eyes turning red at once.

"Hold on, Grandma… Just hold on… The ambulance is coming… I'll get you to the hospital…"

The ambulance arrived quickly. However, just as I was about to carry Grandma in, Maddie suddenly appeared with Sean in tow, rushing toward the ambulance.

"Wait, send us to the hospital first! You have to send us there first! Sean has a blood clotting disorder! He absolutely can't afford to get hurt!"

I was caught off guard when she shoved me aside, and I nearly collapsed to the ground due to my faltering strength.

However, Maddie didn't even spare me a single glance. She only looked at Sean, who had a tiny cut on his forehead.

"Grandma's old anyway. It doesn't matter whether she lives or not. But it's my and Sean's wedding today, and we absolutely must get through it!"

I stared at her in disbelief.

"Grandma watched you grow up. Are you seriously going to let her die without doing anything about it?"

Maddie didn't answer me. Instead, she turned around and barked orders at the paramedics to close the door and set off.

"What the hell are you still waiting for? I'm going to sue everybody here if anything happens to Sean and we don't manage to get married today!"

Sean, who was right next to her, grinned provocatively at me, mouthing the word "loser" in my face.

I watched helplessly as the ambulance closed its doors and left. The hatred in my heart was at its peak.

It wasn't until about 20 minutes later that Tom finally arrived to pick us up and rushed Grandma to the hospital.

However, I wasn't sure if she was even breathing anymore.

I didn't even dare to touch her, worried that I would just end up hurting her instead. My tears fell onto her arms as I said in a choked voice, "Grandma… We'll be at the hospital soon… Please just stay awake and don't go to sleep… You said that you wanted to watch me get married, didn't you?

"I'm so sorry, Grandma. I should have come along with you in the morning. I never should have let you out of my sight. Please, just hold on for a bit longer, alright?"

Just then, Grandma opened her eyes very slightly and reached up to pat me on the head. Her voice was softer than the whisper of a broken twig.

"I'm sorry, too, Benjy… I shouldn't have forced you into marrying someone you didn't like…"

"No, it's not like that, Grandma. You didn't do anything wrong. It's all my fault. I was too useless. I failed to protect you…"

However, I hadn't even managed to hold her hand when her right arm suddenly fell limply as she breathed her last and closed her eyes forever.

I froze as I watched her, unable to make another sound.

It wasn't until Tom called out to me that I finally snapped back to the present.

"We're here, Mr. Caldwell."

I got out numbly, watching as the medical personnel lifted Grandma onto a stretcher. The emergency doctor just checked Grandma's eyes before shaking his head at me.

"The patient is no longer showing any vital signs. I'm sorry for your loss."

If only we'd arrived just five minutes earlier…

If Maddie had never stolen that ambulance from us, Grandma would probably have still been alive.

I clenched my fists tightly, my eyes turning completely bloodshot.

Seconds later, my phone began vibrating in my pocket. It was a call from Maddie.

I answered the call and placed the phone to my ear. Her shrill voice sounded at once, reprimanding me as she yelled, "The wedding's postponed! You happy now? Fortunately for you, Sean's forehead injury isn't too bad.

"However, I will be staying with him at the hospital today. We'll only talk about getting the marriage certificate tomorrow.

"Right, I also told the ambulance to go back for you. Make sure you pay the fees as well."

"There's no need anymore," I said, interrupting her.

"Mark my words, Maddie Harrison. Harrison Group will never live to see the next sunrise again."