1 Month Later:-
I sat on the sofa and put my leg over the other in proud as I held my head high in pride. A smirk was formed on my lips as I kept looking at Christian who was trying so hard to change Christopher's diaper. A laugh escaped my lips as I mocked, "Too easy, isn't it?" He scoffed and said, "Chris, Don't move that much."
"Watch it Aletha, how you father is trying that hard." I said to her. Christian kept trying but Christopher kept moving his legs, not letting him secure the diaper. When Christian finally thought he was successful in it, another laugh escaped my lips.
"What now? Can't you see. I won." He said annoyed as I replied, "You are not supposed to make him wear it like this, it's inside out." His mouth gaped as he felt his hopes being crushed.
"Unbelievable.." He whispered looking at the diaper then at me and then again like this. I finally stood up and handed him Aletha. I then showed him how to make a baby wear a diaper.
"Here." I said as I smiled and turned to him.
"You.. are so skilled." He complimented. "Thanks. But you lost the bet." I said with a smug look. "Okay.. okay.. You won."He said shrugging his shoulders.
We place a bet that if Christian was successful in securing a diaper on Christopher, I'll do whatever he says for the rest of the week and vice versa… and I won!
I put my index finger under my chin and began to think what I should make him do. As I was thinking, Gwen came as she said,
"Sir, Ma'am, You have guests." I raised my eyebrows as I asked, "Who?"
"Sir Roger and his wife." She said rather scared. When I heard it, my smile faded as a devoid emotion took over me. It was neither anger nor hatred but something else cannot decrypt.
"Gwen, watch the kids." I said as I stood up to meet them.
"You sure?" Christian asked, also standing beside me. “I don’t know…” I sighed and went to them.
I entered the lounge with a dire gaze, I rolled my eyes from him and took a seat with Christian.
"I mourn your daughter's death." I said looking at the ground emotionless. She just hummed in response. I continued to stare at the floor as some unclear thoughts came to my mind and caused a disruption but I held it back.
"So, What brings you here?" I asked, raising my gaze and meeting theirs which was filled with grief and remorse.
"Sophie.." Bastard said standing up. I spare a glance at him as he was looking down in... shame? I couldn’t get his attitude. What happened to him?
"I know what I.. what we have done is unforgivable. After Merlin's death.. we realized our mistakes… about how wrong we were. The grief of losing a child, we finally understood it. We were so wrong."
"Took you long enough." I mutter under my breath.
This time the bitch stood up giving that same vibe as her husband.
"Sophie.. We failed our duties. We have no words to justify ourselves. But we are repentant for our deeds. We cannot change the past, we cannot redeem our mistakes because they are too big but all we could do is to feel penitence and beg for your forgiveness."
"Oh, no, Actually I am grateful to you. If you guys don't neglect me, I can't have the happiest family. Loving Mother, brother, husband and sweet little kids. You guys disowning me is the best thing ever happened to me. No need to be repentant about it.." I said derisively. Christian gave my hand a gentle squeeze giving me a signal to at least listen to them. I scoffed and turned to them again.
They both looked down as tears began to roll down. My eyes widened as I stood up. I opened my mouth to speak something but then they bent before me.. They fell on their knees. I gasped and took a step back. I couldn't find any words. I get it they are drowned in guilt but their grievous aura is too much. The way they are emitting the intense contrition startled me.
"Please Sophie. We are so sorry. We failed to do our duties. We are the worst scum of this world. We are so repentant for our deeds. We know you hate us deeply. We are not asking for things to be fixed but rather your forgiveness. We beg for your forgiveness Sophie. Please forgive us for our sinful acts. After losing Merlin we realized how wrong we were to disown you. That's what the grief of losing a child really is. We were so wrong. Please forgive us. Please.. Please. Please. We just want your forgiveness, nothing else." Roger cried while begging for forgiveness. I swallowed the lump in my throat as the sound of their cries echoed in my ears. A chaos roamed in my mind and I couldn't find words but I could feel the pain. I narrowed my eyes at them and began to say,
"Even if I try to, I can't forget your slap Roger. I can't forget the day I arrested the guy who was supposed to be my father, the guy who was supposed to love and protect me. I can never forget the longing of your affection. Just for your attention, I become so ill mannered so that you can think about me, for once! How can I forgive you for those tears I shed for your love!? Roger you tortured me by leaving me all alone. And your wife, the woman who gave birth to me. Well, I have no words about her. I never consider her as someone significant.
And you guy can't come here after all these years being sorry just because you lost your daughter and realized your fucking mistakes. If you lose one you cannot come to the other. I am not a fucking second choice! I can't, Even if I try to, I can't forgive you." I said as tears fell from my eyes while I felt the agonizing pain of craving his attention.
"We are so sorry Sophie. We will do anything for your forgiveness. You don't have to accept me as your father or Juliette as your mother but please just forgive us. We will leave your lives and never return. We will vanish from your lives just forgive us so we can die in peace." He begged again. I bit my lips and turned away. I remained like that for a while as the sound of their cries rang in my ears. I took a deep breath and spoke up again,
"You know when we came to New York, I can clearly remember when mother used to have money problems but she never showed it. She didn't make a dress for her for five damn years. We were supposed to be your responsibility."
"I know I can't change those days all I can do is to feel remorse and penitence."
I swallowed hard and took a deep breath. And this time, I realized this is the moment to redeem my mistakes. It is the time where I can make things right.
"You know, My son.. Christopher, His nose is just like you, pointy." I said in a croaked voice. He lifted his head and looked at me.
"Stand up. Don't be like this, it's pitiful." I said. I sighed and put my hand over my forehead. I gave him my neutral look,
"I will never accept you as my father or you as my mother but I'll not stop you from meeting your grandchildren. I'll never forget those days but I can try to forgive you. Maybe… I can give us a chance- no more than friends." I said and turned, their eyes tears up again upon hearing this,
"Oh, thank you so much Sophie, You are so kind. Thank you."
They said as they stood up. I passed them a faint smile.
"Wanna meet them?" I asked. Their faces lit up in happiness and they gave me a quick nod.
I walked out with Christian, I held Christopher as Christian held Aletha. We're in our room and he asked, "I can't believe you actually forgive them." Christian breath out.
"I did it for you." I said brushing my nose against Christopher, which caused him to laugh and show his teeth. Christian gave me a questioning look and I replied, "I told you that I'll be your guide but if I made the wrong decisions, then how can I help you to make the right ones."
"What do you mean?" He was perplexed.
"If I forgive them, then I can help you too, to forgive others. So, that the fire of revenge never blinds you again. I need to make my path clear to light up yours." I smiled and tilted my head. His eyes went wide in disbelief. "You're.. unbelievable..." Christian whispered.
"Just like you." I said as we both went to see them. They cried in happiness when they saw Christopher and Aletha. I can see that look of adore in their eyes. Filled with immense joy and love. They continued to play with them as they thanked me for letting them see them. Their content to see them was inexplicable. The way the elation shined in their eyes along with tears in them was beautiful.
After seeing their smiles, I realized that the act of forgiveness is far greater than holding grudges. Forgiving is a great act...