RankNovelChapter 522 May caught Mandy by the arm. "Where have you been all this time, sweetheart? I tried calling, but you didn't answer." Mandy glanced quickly at Liam by her side, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "I'd had a bit too much to drink, so I went to the lounge for a nap." May seemed satisfied with the explanation and pulled her over to where Claire was standing.
Claire reached out, squeezing Mandy's hand. "Thank you for everything today, Mandy. I know it's been a lot." Mandy's smile was gentle. "It's your big day, Claire. I'm happy to help." "So, where are you headed after this?" "I'm going back to the research center." "Why don't you ride with us? We can drop you off on the way." Mandy shook her head. "You don't need to worry about me, Claire. Today's your wedding night-you should be with Mr. Foster." As she spoke, Mandy nudged Claire toward Sean.
Sean raised his eyebrows, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Why not let Liam drive Mandy back to the institute?" Liam, clearly pleased with the suggestion, nodded. "Don't worry, sir, ma'am. I'll make sure Miss Mandy gets hsafe." He glanced at Mandy. "Shall we, Miss Mandy?" Mandy met his earnest, clear gaze, feeling a little flustered but unable to refuse.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTheir group stepped out of the hotel. By now, the rain had stopped.
Mandy climbed into Liam's car, and the two of them drove off.
Claire and Sean were just about to get into their own car when a soft voice called out.
"Claire." Claire froze. Even after ten years, she'd never forget that voice.
She didn't answer, just kept walking toward the car.
Adah's voice trembled, almost pleading. "Claire, I'm not here to cause trouble. I just wanted to wish you happiness in your marriage." Claire stopped again, her tone cold and distant. "I heard you. You can go now." Adah's face twisted in pain. "It's been ten years. Can't you forgive your mother?" For a decade, Adah had missed Claire every single day. She'd longed to make things right, to make up for the mistakes of a lifetime. But she knew Claire's fierce spirit-her daughter didn't want her apologies or her attempts at compensation.
Because of that, no matter how much she yearned to see Claire, Adah had kept her distance. She'd waited. Ten long years.
Now, though she wasn't yet fifty,
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAdah's hair was streaked with white, her face gaunt and tired, making her look decades of IV of longing had worn her down, and she knew, deep down, her days were numbered.
All she wanted was to see her daughter married, to witness her om happiness. If only she could live to NO see Claire's child, to hold her grandchild just once... then she could die without regret.
With that hope in her heart, she'd cto Northcrest City. But she couldn't get Celestial past the gates of the Celestial Aerie. So she'd waited outside the hotel, telling herself that just being near was enough. Now, her eyes pleaded with Claire, desperate for a single word: forgiveness. But it didn't come.
Claire's eyes were icy, utterly devoid of warmth or feeling. "Ask yourself, do you really deserve my forgiveness?" Adah's whole body shook. The memory of all the irreparable harm she'd caused her daughter crashed over her, and she knew-she didn't deserve forgiveness.
Maybe, she realized, even wanting it was selfish.
A bitter, broken smile twisted her lips. "You're right. I don't deserve it. I understand now, Claire. I won't cback. But I still wish you happiness. Always."
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