[Old Pierson Residence]
Old Madam Pierson sat in a rocking chair on the open deck connected to the courtyard. A soft smile was etched across her wrinkled face as she gazed out at the peaceful garden.
As she stared at it, she couldn’t help but see the mories of a little boy running while two young parents chased after him. His laughter and giggles once caught echoing, along with the couple’s laughter and exhaustion. A normal scenario that would have played out in this sa garden many years ago.
"Enzo," she whispered, thinking of her late son who had left the world far too soon. "It seems... I’ll be seeing you soon."
Her lips curved a little more at the thought of finally reuniting with both her son and her husband. Not many would be happy about that thought — especially Zoren — but Old Mrs Pierson was ready. She lived a long life.
"Renren is in good hands now," she continued, her voice weak but content. "Maybe if I see his quadruplets... just a little longer, Enzo. I’ll et them first, so... I could tell you what they look like."
Her eyes softened as she stared at the garden, the sa one she had cared for over the years. Though many things had been replaced, the original layout remained untouched. Butler Hubert had made sure of it. The Old Madam wanted it preserved exactly the way it had been.
After all, this garden held so many mories.
mories of a family of three, spending lazy Sunday afternoons together. The good old days. Days free of worry and simply full of love and life.
"Had I known you both would leave so soon..." she murmured, her thin lips tightening into a line. "Even if I had known, I’d still make the sa choices. We lived a good life, didn’t we? Better than the first."
As Old Madam Pierson reminisced, a faint knock ca at the door. She didn’t turn. She simply waited. The knock already gave away who it was, after all.
"Madam," ca Butler Hubert’s voice, gentle and respectful. "The Young Master is here."
Her brows lifted faintly, and this ti, she turned her head. There stood Butler Hubert, with Zoren a few steps behind him.
A warm smile returned to her face, and she gave a small nod.
Butler Hubert turned toward Zoren and bowed. "I’ll prepare tea for you, Young Master."
Zoren nodded. With that, the butler quietly left the room, leaving the two alone.
Zoren walked over and brought a chair close to her rocking one, sitting beside her so they could both look out at the garden.
"Renren," she called, reaching out her hand.
Zoren took it, resting their joined hands over the armrest. "Grandma... how have you been?"
"Good!" she said cheerfully, chuckling. Then she turned back toward the garden. "I’ve been thinking about your father and grandfather. Maybe it’s because your father’s death anniversary is approaching. I still feel the weight of losing him."
She was a mother, after all.
If only the choice were hers, she would’ve passed before her son. No parent should ever outlive their child. But she had been one of the many who had to endure that pain.
"Sotis... I think it was punishnt," she whispered. "A punishnt for asking for—and gaining—sothing I shouldn’t have."
Zoren pressed his lips together in silence, watching her. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
"Grandma," he asked softly, "did you ever hate for taking your son away?"
It was a question he had wanted to ask in his previous life, but never could. Only now, while she was still alive, could he finally bring himself to say it.
Old Madam Pierson chuckled lightly. "What are you saying?" She patted his hand. "Don’t ever think that way, Renren. I, your grandma, could never hate you for that. I never blad you."
"I’m a mother. Your father was a father too. And he died... saving his son."
She smiled faintly. "No parent should ever have to bury their child, but even so, Enzo was also a parent. And if he had to choose again, he would do the sa. I am sure of that."
She shook her head. "If you had died that day... I would’ve lost you and him. Your father had already lost his wife. Losing you too? That would’ve broken him completely."
She would’ve done the sa, had she been in Enzo’s place.
"Don’t bla yourself, Renren," she whispered, gripping his hand a little tighter. "If it happened all over again, your father would still choose to protect you. And he wouldn’t regret it. If anything... knowing Enzo, he’d just sigh in relief."
That was exactly who Enzo Pierson was.
Zoren’s eyes lowered. "But Grandma... I’m not his son."
The smile on Old Madam Pierson’s face faltered for just a mont as she stared at him.
"Zoren..."
"Grandma, you don’t have to deny it anymore," he said gently. "I already know."
He let out a soft breath and tried to smile, but couldn’t.
In his past life, he had found out the truth too late. And even then, he learned that Old Madam Pierson had already known.
His grip on her hand trembled slightly as he swallowed hard.
"Grandma, I—"
"Renren, that’s not true." She tugged his hand, forcing him to look at her. "You are Enzo’s son. You are my grandson."
"Grandma... I already know," he said, more firmly now. "There’s no need to—"
"I’m not denying anything, Renren," she said, voice firm despite its weakness. "I’m telling you the truth."
Zoren’s brows furrowed as she continued.
"Whoever told you otherwise... whatever test you did—if it said different, it was lying. Just like how Jonathan Pierson’s results lied to my face."
Her gaze didn’t waver. "And your father... he knew. He knew you were his son. Even if, for a short ti, there were doubts, in the end, he believed in you."
"You are a Pierson, Renren," she repeated. "You are my grandson. Enzo’s son."
She leaned in, voice resolute. "And I can prove it."
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