"Even if you two have objections, you''ll just have to hold them in. After all, Mrs.


    Natalie will be giving a formal toast to you both during the celebration. It would


    mean a lot if you prepare a small gift or a heartfelt note in return."


    Laura smiled and nced at Wesley. "I''ll listen to you, Sheldon."


    She had always loved Wesley. He had been by her side for years, and what they


    shared had grown into something deeper than love. It was a bond built through


    years of mutual care and quiet endurance.


    "Ever since I came back, I''ve stopped being afraid of Cassie," she said softly.


    "Besides, she''s vanished. No one knows where she is. I don''t think she''sing


    back."


    She exhaled slowly. "If Cassie were going to return, she would''ve caused trouble


    the moment I stepped into Holden Residence."


    "But she hasn''t. She never did. And I''m not afraid of her anymore." Her voice was


    calm and steady.


    She took a breath and looked at Wesley. "Wesley, I admit I wasn''t in a good ce


    before. I shouldn''t have let fear make me give you up or give up on everything we


    had."


    Her eyes reddened. "When I think back now, I really regret it. If you''re still willing, I


    want to be your wife again."


    She finally found the courage to speak her heart. Then she picked up the teacup


    in front of her and took a sip.


    "The other day, I talked to Sheldon. He made me realize that if I''m not afraid of


    Cassie anymore, why should I sacrifice my happiness or the man I love? I just


    don''t know if you still want me."


    As the words left her mouth, the heavy weight that had pressed against her chest


    for so long finally eased. She didn''t try to guess what Wesley might be thinking or


    whether he''d want to get back together.


    But just this once, she had chosen to be brave, just as Sheldon had encouraged


    her.


    Wesley said nothing at first. He simply stared at her, unmoving, his gaze filling


    with warmth and intensity.


    Sheldon smiled. "Ms. Laura, you really don''t need to be afraid of Cassie. Never


    again.


    "Shemitted so many awful, unforgivable things. At this point, she can only


    hide. If she ever dares to show herself again, Mr. Wesley and Mr. Marcus won''t let


    her off. Cassie will spend the rest of her life crawling like a filthy cockroach


    through the sewers."


    "With that, Sheldon stood. "Ms. Laura. Mr. Wesley. I''ll let you two talk in peace.


    Noah,e with me."


    "Yes, Mr. Phelps."


    After the two of them left, only Wesley and Laura remained in the room.


    Her cheeks were flushed. After everything she had just said, she couldn''t even


    look him in the eye. They had been married for years. To speak such heartfelt


    words again felt strangely embarrassing.


    Wesley stood and walked over to her. He reached out his hand. "Laura. Let''s take


    a walk."


    She looked up and found herself caught in the depths of his gaze. There was a


    smile there, filled with emotion and gentleness. She bit her lip and cautiously


    ced her hand in his. His warm palm wrapped around hers and gently pulled her


    up from the seat.


    "Laura, I''m really happy today. Ever since I came back, I''ve been trying to figure


    out how to put us back together," Wesley said, his voice slightly hoarse.


    "But after what Cassie did, I was afraid you would find me repulsive. I knew how


    terrified you were of her, so I didn''t dare say anything. But hearing you say all of


    this now...


    "I''m truly happy."


    He pulled her gently into his arms, his embrace steady and full of quiet longing.


    "We''ve been in love for so many years. I never betrayed you, never went astray.


    But the pain you suffered still came from me. That''s why I felt I had no right to ask


    you for anything. You don''t know how happy I am right now," he whispered.


    His voice cracked. "Really. I''m just so happy."


    Tears welled in Laura''s eyes. She


    wrapped her arms tightly around


    him. "I''m sorry. I was wrong. I was


    selfish. I never considered what you


    were going through. Wesley I''m


    sorry."


    "You don''t need to apologize, Laura. You did nothing wrong. You never owed


    anyone anything. If anyone should apologize, it''s me," he said softly.


    Tears streamed down her cheeks as she clung to him.


    Ever since she had been cursed and fallen ill, she had avoided any intimacy with


    Wesley.


    He never minded. He would still hold her. Still kiss her.


    But she was scared. Scared she would infect him with something terrible. Every


    time he touched her, she would push him away in fear.


    Atst, after all these years, she finally let herself embrace him without fear.


    Upstairs, Sheldon and Noah stood quietly at the railing, looking down at the


    couple. A gentle, relieved smile spread across Sheldon''s face.


    "Thank goodness. Ms. Laura and Mr. Wesley have finally worked things out.


    They''re back together."


    His voice trembled as he reached up to wipe his face. He could leave without any


    regrets.


    Noah stood beside him in silence. He didn''t speak, but his eyes were slightly


    misty.


    "Noah, go rest. I want to be alone for a while."


    "You should rest early too, Mr. Phelps."


    "I will. Go on now."


    "Yes, Mr. Phelps."


    Noah turned and left. Sheldon took out his phone and tapped a few times. Soon,


    photos appeared-capturing every angle of Wesley and Laura''s embrace.


    He printed them out and carefully ced them into a folder. Then he opened a


    drawer and took out an old family portrait.


    Vivian and Cassie''s faces had been scratched out until they were nothing but a


    blur. Only Charles, Wesley, and Laura remained intact.


    Sheldon ran his fingers across the photograph.


    "Mr. Holden Senior, I don''t know if


    what I''ve done is right or wrong. ne


    Maybe when I see you again, you''ll


    scold me. Maybe you''ll hate me. I''ll


    ept it."


    His fingers trembled. "If I could go back in time, I would stop you. I''d never let you


    fall in love with Vivian."


    His eyes reddened. "She wasn''t even


    human. How could she trick you like


    that? Toy with your heart? Anyone


    who betrays true love should suffer


    a thousand torments.


    "But she died early. Lied to you even in death. Let you raise her daughter for all


    those years. Her bastard daughter brought ruin to the Holden family."


    His voice cracked with emotion. "I hate her. I truly hate her."


    The words trembled on his lips and finally dissolved into quiet sobs that filled the


    study.


    Outside the room, Noah stood with his ear pressed to the door, silently listening to


    the grief echoing from within.