My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 1204

Amelia knelt down so she was eye level with Dennis, her voice gentle but serious. Dennis’s hands were balled into fists, his jaw clenched tight. He looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here.

“Dennis, did you remember what I just told you? You need to apologize, and you have to be polite. No more yelling at Grandpa. He’s not feeling well, and you can’t upset him anymore, okay? I’m not going in with you. You know what you need to do on your own, right?”

Dennis gripped the edge of his shirt so hard his knuckles turned white. He nodded, swallowing hard. “I know.”

Amelia opened the door and gave him a gentle nudge inside. The second Dennis stepped in, he froze, nerves getting the better of him. He looked back, but Amelia gave him another gentle shove forward.

Right before she closed the door, she said softly, “Remember what your aunt said. I’ll be right outside waiting for you.”

Dennis’s heart was pounding so loud he thought it might burst. His legs felt weak and shaky. He just stood there, watching Amelia close the door, leaving him alone with Grandpa, who was still upset.

Dennis bit his lip and clutched his shirt even tighter. He didn’t dare turn around.

A deep voice came from behind him. “What are you doing just standing there? Come here.”

Dennis jumped at the sound. He took a shaky breath, turned slowly, and shuffled over to his grandfather with his head down.

He stared at his shoes, trying to remember what Amelia had said, then mumbled out, “Grandpa, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done those things. I shouldn’t have made you angry. I know I messed up.”

Grandpa looked down at him, face unreadable and stern, just watching Dennis.

Dennis kept his head low, his hair falling over his eyes. Both hands twisted at his shirt like he was trying to wring out his nerves. His voice was barely above a whisper, so soft Grandpa could barely hear him.

Even without seeing his face, Grandpa could tell Dennis was pouting.

Grandpa’s frown deepened. “Speak up. I can’t hear you when you talk like that. Say it again.”

He shifted his feet, but Grandpa’s eyes narrowed. “Trying to leave already? Is that what your aunt taught you?”

Dennis froze, gripping his shirt tighter, shoulders shaking.

“I... I shouldn’t have made you angry. I shouldn’t have taken those sleeping pills. I shouldn’t have asked you to help my mom…”

He could barely get the words out between sobs. Tears streamed down his cheeks, one after another.

Grandpa’s expression softened just a little, but his voice was still serious. “And from now on? Are you ever going to try something like that again?”

Dennis shook his head fast. “No, I won’t. I promise…”

Grandpa’s voice was calm but firm. “You’re still a kid, so I’m going to teach you this now. Your life is the most important thing you have. If you lose it, you lose everything. Trying to end your own life is the most irresponsible thing you could do, to yourself and to your family. No one needs someone who can’t take care of themselves. If you don’t even value your own life, how can you be expected to do anything else? From now on, think before you act. Don’t let your feelings make your decisions for you. Do you understand?”