Lucy didn''t dare meet Marcus'' gaze. She kneeled on the floor, her eyes red and swollen.


    "Mr. Holden, I had no choice back then. Cassie''s the eldest daughter of the Holden family. She was powerful, well-connected, and secretly gathering her forces. If I didn''t obey her, she would have had me killed."


    Tears streamed down Lucy''s face as she pleaded, "But I swear that I never poisoned your mother. That was done by a rogue sorceress. I don''t know her name, but I remember Cassie showing her great respect.


    "Mr. Holden, the Maine family is nothingpared to the Holden family. We don''t have the status or power to resist. If I didn''tply, my entire family would have suffered for it.


    "And... I never even liked Adam. It was Cassie who orchestrated everything to control me, forcing me and Adam together."


    "Lucy, think carefully before you answer." Marcus lifted his gaze slightly, his icy stare piercing through her.


    "Does what you just said match what you said earlier?"


    There was disgust in Marcus'' eyes as he said, "Noah, take her away. If you can''t get the answers, don''t bothering back."


    "Yes, Mr. Holden." Noah grabbed Lucy by the hair and dragged her out without hesitation.


    Natalie put down her fork. "I''m done eating."


    "Nat, do you think I was too cruel?" Marcus turned to her. Earlier, he had held back as much as possible in front of Lucy, keeping his ruthless nature in check. He had even spoken rtively politely.


    But he was worried that Natalie would be afraid of him.


    Natalie smiled. "Was that cruel? Then I guess you aren''t as ruthless as people say."


    "Hmm?" Marcus was surprised for a moment, then chuckled softly. The unease in his heart dissipated.


    "Come on, let''s go see Laura. Since Lucy is here, Laura should get a chance to see her."


    "Alright."


    Marcus and Natalie left the inn''s dining area.


    Laura was still staying in the medical room, and Natalie stayed with her at night. But in the mornings, she came to the inn for breakfast.


    When they arrived, Laura had already freshened up. She looked much better, and there was now even warmth in her smile.


    Federrick had mentioned that she couldn''t be exposed to sunlight yet, but herplexion was no longer deathly pale. He also said that her skin would regain a healthy, rosy glow with a little more time.


    Laura felt genuinely happy, and it showed in her expression-so much so that she could hardly contain it.


    When she saw Natalie and Marcus enter, she beamed and waved them over. "Marcus, Nat,e here!"


    She was brimming with joy. Last night, while Federrick was performing acupuncture on her and letting Natalie observe, they had chatted for a long time.


    Afterward, she felt immensely grateful to be alive. All those past grudges and regrets didn''t seem as important anymore.


    From now on, she wanted to live each day happily with her son and future daughter-inw by her side.


    She had no ns to return to Holden Residence. She loved The Herbalist''s Sanctuary and wanted to stay, helping Federrick cultivate medicinal herbs.


    She hadn''t seen Wesley yet. After that long nightmare, she found it impossible to face him. Even though he had never loved Cassie, the thought of Cassie drugging him and trying to force herself on him...


    It made her feel sick.


    "Mom, Lucy has been brought back," Marcus said in a low voice as he stepped forward. "But Cassie has disappeared. I have people searching for her."


    Laura''s expression didn''t change, She remained warm and kind as she said, "Marcus, all I want is for you to be happy. No matter what happens, always put your safety first. Never let yourself fall into danger.


    ет


    "Mom... don''t you feel anger, resentment, or bitterness?" Marcus sat by her bed, gazing deeply into her eyes. "All these years, we were separated. You endured excruciating pain day after day until despair consumed you."


    "And I... I grew up with Grandpa, envying other children who had parents. I


    resented you both for ''going on a trip'' and leaving me behind.


    "Mom, now that Lucy is here, do you want to see her?"


    Laura was silent for a long time. Finally, she exhaled a heavy breath and said, "I''ll see her."


    She added, "Marcus, of course, I have resentment in my heart. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have stayed away from your father all this time."


    As she spoke, her eyes turned red. "Perhaps your father did nothing wrong-but I can''t face him the way I used to. After Cassie drugged him, I don''t even know if anything happened between them.


    "Once doubt takes root in a person''s heart, there''s no way to feel at ease again. Dark, terrifying thoughts swirl endlessly, getting worse and worse.


    "Marcus, will you understand if I divorce your father?"


    Marcus nodded without hesitation. "I understand and support youpletely. I can take care of you. I''ll make sure you livefortably and peacefully for the rest of your life."


    Tears welled up in Laura''s eyes and spilled over before she could stop them. "Thank you... Thank you, my precious child."


    Marcus leaned in and wrapped his arms around Laura as she wept.


    She had suffered so much because of Wesley. If she hadn''t married him, she might never have endured 20 years of agony from the venomous poison. Perhaps she would have met a kind, loving man, had a happy marriage, raised wonderful children, and lived a peaceful, fulfilling life.


    But now, the poison was finally gone. She could embrace her son without fear.


    For the first time in their lives, they shared a real, meaningful hug—one she had waited 20 years for. 20 long years.


    If she hadn''t met Natalie and Federrick, she might have died without ever seeing Marcus again and would never have had this embrace.


    "Marcus, my sweet child... thank you... thank you."


    She sobbed uncontrobly, overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude.


    "Oh, right. Mr. Langton said I can use a phone now. Can you get me one? I want


    to video call Nat''s mother."


    She released Marcus as she wiped


    her tears. "I kept the truth from Charlotte for so long. Looking back, that was wrong of me. The Walker family has strong connections in the medical world. If I had told her


    sooner, maybe I could have been saved earlier.


    "And Nat is Charlotte''s daughter. In a way... haven''t I just taken the longest, most roundabout path to get here?"


    Natalie said with a gentle smile, "Laura, I only returned to the Walker residence this year. If I had grown up there, I probably wouldn''t have been able to cure you."