Chapter 131: Meeting Grandpa Percival
My heart pounded in my chest as I tugged nervously at the hem of my sweater.
The triplets had given me time to change into something more presentable after our bathroom incident, but no amount of clean clothes could calm the storm of emotions inside me. I was about to meet my grandfather—a man I’d never known existed until recently.
“You look beautiful,” Liam assured me, his warm smile easing my tension slightly. He stood beside me at the top of the stairs, his hand resting supportively on my lower back.
“He’s going to love you,” Lucas added, his normally serious expression softened with understanding. “Just be yourself.”
Levi, ever the lighthearted one, winked at me. “And if he doesn’t, we’ll just have to drown him in the bathroom too.”
“Levi!” I hissed, my cheeks burning at the reminder of what had just happened, but I couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped me. The triplets always knew how to break the tension.
“Ready?” Lucas asked, offering his hand.
I took a deep breath and nodded, slipping my hand into his. “As I’ll ever be.”
The triplets formed a protective formation around me as we descended the stairs—Lucas leading, Liam and Levi flanking me on either side. The gesture wasn’t lost on me; they were presenting a united front, showing their support.
As we entered the living room, I immediately spotted him—an older gentleman sitting rigidly on the edge of the sofa. His white hair was neatly combed back, and despite his age, he held himself with the strength and dignity of a much younger man. Evelyn and Henry sat across from him, their postures tense.
The moment I stepped into the room, Percival Hunt’s eyes found mine, and he froze. Something flashed across his face—recognition, shock, grief—all mingled together. Slowly, he rose to his feet.
“Hazel,” he breathed, my name sounding like a prayer on his lips.