As the car ca to a smooth halt in the grand driveway, Layla hesitated, her hand hovering over the door handle. This was the first ti she and Lucius would dine with her family— even it was her first ti to sit down with her family on the sa table for dinner.
For the past few days, she had buried the sharp ache of painful mories, locking them away in the recesses of her mind.
But tonight, there would be no escape. She would have to confront those haunting feelings head-on. She needed to stay strong and made them answer her every question.
Just then, she felt Lucius’s warm hand over hers. She tilted her head and found he had lood over her. "I know it will be difficult for you, but you shouldn’t waver before them. I know you feel upset when you hurt others. But be selfish for yourself. You’ve suffered since childhood or should I say the mont you were born your sufferings started. If you don’t want to forgive them, then be it. Don’t bla yourself for being too harsh. Because they deserve to see your cold side too," he affird.
"I’ve watched you struggle alone for so long, and no apology or sweet words can erase the scars they left. Rember that."
Layla let her gaze linger on his, gratitude flickering in her eyes like a fragile ember. With a soft hum of agreent, she mustered a small, confident smile.
"Thank you," she murmured.
Steeling herself, she opened the car door with newfound resolve and stepped out.
On the other side, Lucius exited and t her as she approached him with a confident stride. Layla slipped her arm through his, her diamond wedding ring catching the soft glow of the estate’s lights.
Together, they walked forward and entered the grand doors of the mansion.
In the opulent living room, the Rosenzweig family had already assembled, their voices falling silent as Layla and Lucius entered. All eyes turned toward the pair as they walked arm in arm and they all rose from their seats.
Miriam, took a tentative step forward. Her usually sharp gaze softened as it landed on Layla, and for the first ti in years, it held sothing unfamiliar—regret.
A surge of emotions swirled within her, both bittersweet and agonizing. She had spent so many years resenting Layla’s very existence, treating her as an unwanted shadow rather than her own flesh and blood.
Now, seeing Layla before her, Miriam felt the guilt. The mories of her harsh words and cold indifference resurfaced, leaving her to grapple with the realization of how deeply she had failed as a mother.
"Layla..." Miriam’s voice wavered as she walked to her daughter to embrace her.
Layla hesitated for a brief mont before allowing Miriam to embrace her. The gesture, while outwardly warm, felt hollow to Layla. The years of coldness, disdain, and being labeled the curse of the Rosenzweig family had left scars too deep to be erased by a single act of affection.
Miriam’s arms held her tightly, but Layla stood stiff, her heart untouched by that motherly embrace.
As Miriam stepped back, her guilt-ridden eyes searching Layla’s face for any sign of forgiveness.
Darius approached them, keeping his deanor formal yet polite.
"Lucius, thank you for joining us for this family dinner tonight," Darius said, offering his hand.
Lucius ignored the extended gesture, his lips curling into a faint, calculated smile. "I’m here for Layla," he replied. "And to ensure none of you forget what you owe her."
His eyes flicked toward Orabela, his tone sharpening with mockery. "How does it feel, Miss Bella, to be seen as the outcast now?" His words were laced with amusent as he chuckled softly.
Orabela’s face flushed with embarrassnt, her usual confidence faltering under his pointed gaze.
Lucius then turned his attention to Lady Agatha. "And you, Lady Agatha—did it not shatter your pride to learn that the girl you defended so fervently was the child of your son’s mistress?"
Lady Agatha’s composure slipped for a mont, her expression twisting with bitterness. "Seraphina deceived all of us," she said while gritting her teeth hard and clenching the stick in her hand.
Lucius tilted his head, his smile devoid of warmth. "Perhaps she did. But let’s not forget—the humanity in this family died long before her sches ca to light. Whatever apology you plan to offer tonight, I hope you succeed in earning the forgiveness of my wife."
His gaze softened as it shifted back to Layla. "You must be exhausted after working all day," he said gently. Without waiting for a response, he guided her toward the couch and helped her sit down, his protective presence unmistakable.
As he took his place beside her, his hand resting lightly on hers.
"It would be great if we have the dinner first," Miriam said.
"What do you think, Wife?" Lucius asked, looking at Layla again.
"We can have dinner later. But first, I have questions for all of you," Layla asserted, asking them to take their seats.
"Layla, a huge mistake was made years ago. We are ready to rectify it. You are the real heiress of this family and also will beco the future chairwoman," Lady Agatha said with a proud gaze.
Layla glanced at her in bewildernt. How could she say those words so easily? "You always hated . How could you suddenly acknowledge ? How can a love shifts from one granddaughter to the next so quick?" Layla questioned with skepticism. "Have you already started hating Orabela? Is this how you treat a human?"
Lady Agatha’s smile faltered and she couldn’t co up with the right response.
"Layla, ignore my mother’s words," Darius suggested.
"No, I won’t. Didn’t you tell years ago a mistake happened?" Layla’s tone turned sharper this ti. "Lady Agatha saw as a mistake. She wanted to live in countryside. I want you to send your mother away from this house. She is the reason it all started," she declared.
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