Chapter 607 Apology
"Emma," Sophia's voice quivered, "I'm so sorry."
For years, she had mistaken another girl for her daughter and unleashed all her anger on the real Emma. She had yelled at her, humiliated her, and nearly caused her death.
Every time she thought about it, Sophia felt a pain so intense she could hardly breathe.
"Mom," Emma put down her cup and looked her straight in the eyes, "I don't blame you anymore."
Sophia was stunned, tears streaming down her face.
"All those things..." Emma said softly, "They're in the past."
She had hated and resented her mother, but when her memories returned, she remembered how Sophia had tried so hard to make amends, how carefully she had loved her. The hatred slowly faded away.
"Emma," Sophia choked up, grabbing her hand, "I swear, I'll protect you for the rest of my life."
Her hand was shaking, her palm cold and sweaty.
Emma squeezed her hand back and smiled gently, "I know."
It was late at night.
Emma lay in her bedroom, the scent of sunshine on the blankets giving her a sense of security.
Outside the door, Sophia knocked gently, "Emma, I made some soup."
She pushed the door open, carrying a steaming bowl of soup, her eyes filled with the nervousness of a little girl.
Emma's heart softened.
"Mom, sit here," she patted the bed beside her.
Sophia sat down carefully, scooping up a spoonful of soup and blowing on it gently, "When you were little, and couldn't sleep, I used to feed you like this."
Her movements were so natural, as if the twenty years of separation had never happened.
Emma lowered her head to drink the soup, but tears silently fell into the bowl.
"Is it good?" Sophia asked expectantly.
Emma nodded, "It's delicious."
Sophia's face lit up with a smile, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes smoothing out, "I'll make it for you again tomorrow!"
Seeing Sophia's joy, Emma suddenly felt that maybe she could really let go of the past.
Outside the manor, George's car was parked quietly under the shadow of a tree.
He looked up at the warm light in the second-floor window, imagining what Emma might look like at that moment, his heart aching and full.
"Emma," he whispered, "please give me another chance."
Leaning against the car door, the cigarette between his fingers had long since burned out, but he didn't notice. His deep eyes were fixed on the window, as if he could see through the walls to the person inside.
"Mr. Russell, should I go knock?" the driver asked softly.
"No need," George's voice was hoarse, "She doesn't want to see me."
Not far away, another car's window rolled down slowly. Michael sat in the driver's seat, his long fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel, his face showing no emotion. The moonlight outlined his chiseled features, his narrow eyes filled with hidden currents.
"Mr. Russell, Ms. Stuart is probably already asleep," his assistant in the passenger seat reminded cautiously.
Michael didn't respond, just lifted his gaze slightly, his eyes landing on George. Their gazes clashed silently in the night, the air seeming to freeze.
"Looks like we're both left out in the cold," Michael finally spoke, his voice low and calm, yet carrying an undeniable pressure.
George let out a cold laugh, "You sure know how to keep your cool."
"Right back at you," Michael pushed open the car door and walked steadily over to George, "But if you think this means you've won..."
"I don't need to win anything," George met his gaze, "I just want her to be safe."
A flicker of something dark passed through Michael's eyes. He leaned in slightly, whispering in George's ear, "Remember, this game isn't over." His tone was so gentle it was chilling.
George's expression didn't change, not even a flutter of his eyelashes, "I'll be ready."
In the second-floor bedroom, Emma stood by the window, peeking through the curtains at the standoff between George and Michael. Her fingers unconsciously gripped the curtain, her knuckles white.
"Mommy."
A soft voice came from behind her. Emma turned to see Lucas standing by the bed, rubbing his eyes. The little boy was in his blue pajamas, his hair tousled, looking incredibly cute.
"Why are you awake?" Emma knelt down, gently smoothing his hair.
Lucas bit his lip, his face turning red, "I had a bad dream." His voice grew quieter.
Emma's heart melted, and she opened her arms, "Do you want Mommy to hold you?"
Lucas hesitated for a moment before throwing himself into her arms. He buried his face in her shoulder, mumbling, "I dreamed you were gone again."
"I'll never leave you, Mommy's always here," Emma gently patted his back.
"Emma?" Sophia, in her robe, pushed the door open and saw the mother and son embracing. Her eyes softened, "Lucas is awake too?"
Lucas lifted his head from Emma's shoulder, his face even redder. He knew he was supposed to be a big boy and not cling to his mom, but he missed her so much.
"Grandma," he called softly, his little hand still clutching Emma's clothes.
Sophia smiled knowingly and walked over to pat his head, "Do you want to sleep with Mommy and Grandma?"
Lucas's eyes lit up, but he looked down shyly, "I'm a big boy now."
"No matter how big you get, you'll always be Grandma's baby," Sophia said gently, "Come on, Grandma will tell you stories about when Mommy was little."
On the big bed, Lucas lay in the middle, with Emma on one side and Sophia on the other. He was too excited to sleep but tried to act calm, sneaking glances at Emma now and then.
"Grandma, what was Mommy like when she was little?" he finally couldn't resist asking.
Sophia smiled as she reminisced, "When your mom was one, she fell the first time she tried to run."
"Mom!" Emma protested helplessly.
"When she was two, she secretly fed the carrots she didn't like to the family dog."
Lucas giggled, covering his mouth, "Mommy was picky too!"
Emma pinched his little nose, "So you can't be like Mommy, okay?"
One story after another, Lucas gradually relaxed, eventually leaning against his mom's shoulder. Emma gently held him, feeling his even breathing.
"And then, Mommy grew up," Sophia's voice suddenly choked, "and Grandma accidentally lost her."
Lucas, sensing Sophia's sadness, reached out to wipe her tears, "Don't cry, Grandma. Mommy's back now, isn't she?"
Emma couldn't hold back any longer, pulling both Sophia and Lucas into her arms. The three of them lay there, their heartbeats intertwined, warm and steady.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
