Everyone was stunned by Layla’s unexpected declaration. Orabela seized the mont to sway the family’s opinion in her favor.
"Grandma is old now," Orabela began, her voice laced with feigned concern. "I don’t think we should send her away. What if sothing happens to her while we’re not around to help?" Her carefully placed worry was aid at garnering sympathy.
Layla’s sharp gaze pinned Orabela in place. "Then perhaps you should accompany your grandmother, Orabela," she said, her tone calm but firm. "After all, she has always showered you with her love and affection. It’s only fair that you return the favor by taking care of her now."
Orabela’s expression faltered, her fingers curling into fists as she realized the trap she had unwittingly stepped into.
Lucius leaned back in his chair, smirking as he added fuel to the fire. "That’s an excellent idea. You don’t have any responsibilities or job, Bella. What better use of your ti than caring for Grandma?"
Orabela’s face flushed with frustration, but before she could respond, Lady Agatha interjected.
"Layla, I owe you an apology," she began, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "I was wrong in my approach before, but this? This demand of yours is beyond unreasonable. I’ve only just returned to this family—I don’t wish to be cast out. This is my ho too. You can’t just demand such a thing!"
"Unreasonable?" Layla echoed, a wry chuckle escaping her lips. "Why did you force your son in a marriage, where he was bound to look after two won? Why did you spread hate toward ? As the eldest in the family, your heart never even flinched when you used to slap or push into the work while your granddaughter always enjoyed the luxury. If Seraphina would have never exchanged and Orabela, the sa treatnt you would have shown to Orabela. Do you think what you have done can be easily forgotten?"
All of them turned quiet as none of them had answers for those questions.
"I understand my mother’s frustration seeing the child of a mistress, but I was only a child, who doesn’t even know what wrong she did by coming to this world. Do you all think it’s easy for to forget everything that happened in the past? I don’t even feel anything toward my real mother now. But she expects to see her as a mother. How? How am I supposed to do that?" Layla’s voice didn’t falter this ti.
Miriam’s eyes brimd with tears as she felt guilty to hear that.
"Dad, you never sent away from despite your mother and wife always pressured you to do so. I think I do feel a little bit of sympathy for you. At least, you wanted to be in front of you. But you failed to protect all this ti. Only I know how many tis I’ve cried in a day and how many tis I’ve cursed myself for existing. What if this truth had never revealed? You all would have treated the sa way."
Every word that Layla uttered stung them deeply. Truth is always bitter and they witnessed it.
"I think it’s better for to stay away from all of you. I don’t know when I’ll be healed, so please don’t contact to see any of you. I have no intention to do that. But I want is to declare to the world who I am. What my identity is," Layla asserted.
Orabela’s heart thundered in fear against her chest. If such an announcent would be made the entire country would know who she was. Everyone would turn against her.
"Layla, what about ? Don’t you think my life is also at stake? I was unaware of the truth too," Orabela asserted.
"I don’t care what happens to you. I would have shown an ounce of kindness for you if you have not pretended a nice sister to . In fact, I’m still very lenient to you. Your mother wanted to ruin my life, so she should have the knowledge too how her own daughter’s life ruined because of her evil scheming," Layla stated sternly.
As if lightening struck, Orabela realized everything was over for her. Well, she already had this idea, but she still believed Layla would be generous on her.
Layla shifted her gaze to her mother finally. "Mom, please eat and take good rest. This is the least you can do for . Dwelling in the past won’t give you any comfort. But please give a space too. I hope you do," she said as her voice finally softened.
"And please don’t cry. I will call you once a day. Maybe that way we can start our relationship. Other than this, I cannot do anything because my heart is already butchered by this family. So, it will take ti to heal," she asserted.
In the end as Lucius had expected Layla revealed her kindness too. This was the trait for which he loved Layla. When he first ti encountered her, she scolded him first but then those kind words completely changed him. This was what only Layla could do.
"You are right, Layla. We cannot impose everything on you. I’ll wait for you calls and I promise, I won’t cry anymore. I was truly wrong in my actions and took my anger on a child," Miriam stated with a smile. Finally, her heart was at peace.
"Should we have dinner then?" Miriam asked, looking at all of them.
"Yes, we should have the dinner together," Darius asserted with a warm smile.
All of them then made their way to the dining room and had a dinner together. Layla realized her mother had cooked her favorite dishes but she didn’t even know how she found out about them. It made her happy because at least, her mother made an effort to know about that.
As it was the ti to leave, Miriam once again embraced Layla warmly. "I’m sorry again. Take care of yourself," she whispered before planting a soft kiss on her daughter’s forehead.
anwhile Lucius was speaking with Darius. "I have less expectations from all of you. I hope things go better and make sure Orabela doesn’t create troubles. She must have not accepted all of this," he affird.
"Rest assured, Lucius. I’ll not let anything fall apart now," Darius replied. "You have been a good husband to Layla. I’m glad she got you. In the beginning, we had so prejudices about you. Layla wanted to run away from this marriage, but I told her to not to do so. My words were twisted because I couldn’t show my care for her, but I did want her to be happy with her husband at least."
"Hmm. I don’t know if I should believe that or not. But I’m glad you asked your daughter not to run away," Lucius stated and gazed at Layla, who was talking with her mother.
"By the way, I have sothing to tell you, Lucius," Darius said.
"What is it?" Lucius shifted his gaze to him.
"I got a strange ssage saying I made a mistake making Layla marry to you. Wait a second. I will show you," Darius asserted and opened his phone. He showed the ssage to him as Lucius’s eyes widened slightly.
"I have heard about your accident in the past and I also know how badly this matter was taken into the dia. Hopefully, no one is trying to harm you. I have kept it from Layla too. But you should look into this," Darius said in a low voice.
"Thank you for telling about this. I’ll contact you regarding this," Lucius stated.
"Sure. You are welco any ti," Darius affird and patted his shoulder.
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