?Chapter 675:


    Brian’s face softened as he approached, his eyes filled with quiet sincerity. “It’s my fault, Grandma. I’ve been preupied, but I promise I’ll make an effort to be here more often, every day if you’d like.”


    Carol waved him off dismissively, but her gaze held a weight of understanding. “That’s not what I meant,” she replied with a gentle smile.


    She then looked at thest slice of orange in his hand. “I don’t need it, Brian,” she said with a soft, maternal warmth. “You should try it instead.”


    Brian, though not particrly fond of oranges, gave a slight nod. He popped the slice into his mouth, feeling the sweet and tangy burst of vor fill his senses.


    “How is it?” Carol asked softly, her gaze fixed as she watched Brian’s reaction.


    “It’s alright,” Brian answered, his tone distant, the words drifting out without much thought.


    Carol, with her quiet wisdom, offered a small, knowing smile. “Life is much like an orange,” she said gently. “It’s the bnce of sweet and sour that makes it worth savoring. Love, too, has its bitter moments, but in the end, the sweetness should always linger. If the bitterness never fades, it bes unbearable. Rachel… she’s had to live with an orange that was sour and bitter from start to finish. If you were given such a fruit, would you willingly take a bite?”


    Brian shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. “Grandma…” He paused, his words heavy with emotion. “It’s been half a month since she left. I’m scared…”


    His words faltered as the fear inside him began to surface. “I’m scared she might not want toe back… Not to me.”


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    Unable to hold back any longer, Brian lowered his head and ced it gently on Carol’sp, his vulnerability breaking through. At that moment, he was no longer the strong figure he had often tried to be. He was a child again, seekingfort and reassurance from the one person who had always been there for him. Carol, who knew him better than anyone, could feel the depth of his sorrow, and her heart ached for him.


    From the moment Brian was born, his family’s life had been consumed by relentless busyness. His parents, deeply engrossed in their careers, had little time to spare. Hiring nannies to tend to the children wasmonce in households like theirs.


    However, Carol couldn’t bear the thought of someone else raising her grandson. Though nannies were employed, she made it her responsibility to stay by his side, offering him not just care but her undivided attention. The bond between them grew stronger with each passing day, far surpassing even the connection he had with his parents.


    That deep, unwavering attachment became a part of Brian, embedded in his heart and soul. Carol had raised him, shaped him, and offered himfort in times of pain. Now, seeing the weight of distress on his face, her heart ached for him.


    Carol gently ced her hand on Brian’s head, her touch soothing. “Brian, some things, once gone, are gone forever. But if fate allows a second chance, it’s a gift that must be cherished. If Rachel chooses not to return, as difficult as it may be, you’ll have to find the strength to bear that pain alone. We all have the right to follow our paths and to choose the life we want to live. Rachel has that right just as much as you do.”


    Her words were deliberate, each one weighted with care. “No matter what happens, I hope you can respect Rachel’s decision. Let her choose her future without any pressure. Don’t use her brother to force her hand. Give her the space she needs, and don’t try to hold her against her will.”


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