Natasha got up and headed outside.
Terence was coming back inside at the same time. When he saw her, he smiled. “You're awake, Nat?”
“Yeah.” She nodded.
Terence's brows furrowed when he saw her looking unwell. “What's wrong? Are you feeling any discomfort?”
Natasha thought about it and explained, “I dreamed about my childhood. The day when I lost Mom and Dad...”
Terence was taken aback for a second before he comforted, “It's already in the past, Nat.”
“That fire and my parent's deaths aren't an accident!”
Hearing that, Terence subconsciously averted his gaze. “There were so many people who saw it happen back then. The result of the investigation said the same things, too. It was an accident.”
“If that is the case, then why didn't you let me do what I wanted, just like my dad?”
Terence turned back to face her. “Because I want you to lead a normal life. Why must you insist on doing that?”
“I'm not insisting it, Grandpa. The only reason you're forbidding me from doing so is that you think it's linked to Dad's death.”
For a long time, Natasha had been obeying Terence's orders. Even if she wanted to investigate the matter, she would do so in secret instead of arguing about it with him in the open.
She had no idea what was going on with her. It could be because of her dream or because she wasn't feeling well.
Terence stared at her in resignation.
She was right about his reason for forbidding her from pursuing that goal.
He knew Natasha was very skilled with computers since she was a child. However, he didn't know what kind of world the internet was like, only that it was a scary one. Otherwise, her father wouldn't have
died.
That was why he didn't want her to pursue that path out of fear that she would die while doing so. He was also afraid she would be blinded by revenge upon learning the truth. All he wanted was for her to live a good life.
When his train of thought stopped there, Terence stared at her. “In any case, you're the only one I have left. I just hope you'll lead a safe, happy life. I don't care about anything else.” When he finished, he turned and prepared to head out.
“Grandpa!” Natasha suddenly called out to him.
She stared at his back and apologized, “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to talk back to you...”
Terence's figure visibly shook.
Natasha approached him and looked at him. “I just want to let you know that I'm no longer a child, Grandpa. I understand what you're trying to say, but there's no need for you to worry. What you're afraid of will never happen again. I can protect myself and not let you worry.”
Terence turned back and stared at her. His lips twitched, but he ultimately didn't say anything.
“All right, I'm going to take a shower. I'll be heading out soon.” She smiled as the atmosphere relaxed.
“Your injury's not recovered yet. Where are you going?” he asked.
“Zachary's inviting me for a meal. I'll be back once I'm done!”
Terence nodded when he heard that. “Go then. Go and dress up.”
“Mhm!” Before Natasha left, she recalled something and turned toward him. “I also dreamed about how he looked when he rescued me, Grandpa...”
When she mentioned that, he paused and gazed at her. “But he doesn't remember anything now.”
She smiled and left wordlessly to clean herself.
A look of resignation flashed across Terence's eyes as he watched her leave.
After Natasha cleaned and dressed up, she left the house.
Upon leaving the room, she didn't see where Terence went.
She knew she was acting too rashly earlier. I held myself back for so long and almost lost it because of a dream.
After she adjusted her emotions, she headed downstairs.
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