Charlotte looked at the expression of shock on Sierra''s face and couldn''t help but smile. She nodded and gently pulled Sierra to sit beside her.


    "It''s true. Sky made some mistakes in the past, and we hope he''ll be kinder and more open moving forward. One more friend is always better than one more enemy.


    "Besides, Sierra, we watched you and Samuel grow up together. If you hadn''t gone overseas, we likely would''ve watched you both grow into adulthood here.


    "You knew each other as children. Now that you''ve returned, there''s no reason you can''t be friends again. Don''t overthink it. Just treat Sky like an ordinary person."


    Charlotte smiled. "I''m sure you already know about some of what happened with Sky. After all, Sophia is your sister.


    "We don''t want the two families to stay estranged. It''s the Walker family that wronged Sophia. If there''s a chance to make it up to her and the Sinir family, we''re willing to take it.


    "And Sky is willing, too."


    Sky nodded. "Yes. I''ve been working on making amends. I never wanted to go against Samuel. I really value the peaceful life I have now.


    "Honestly, I thought a whole lot while I was in prison. I''m not the same person I was before. After someone goes through something major, they change. They be apletely different person.


    "I treasure this life now. I won''t make the same mistakes again."


    Samuel and Sierra exchanged a nce, both finally feeling at ease.


    "I just want a peaceful life too," Samuel said. "I love Sierra deeply. I don''t want a divorce, so I''d do anything to avoid it."


    "No more divorce," Sierra said, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. "Sky, is it okay if I still call you that? When I was little, I really envied your sister. You helped me a few times. Back then, I wished you were my brother from the bottom of my heart.


    "I made mistakes, but I''m facing them head-on now. Can I ask you for one more chance?"


    "I don''t me you," Sky said with a faint smile. "Honestly, I knew you were using me. But I wanted to make it up to Sophia, so I let you do as you pleased.


    "But the fact that you admitted it and apologized in person really surprised me. Let''s call it even with this. From now on, we''re friends."


    "Thank you. Really, thank you."


    Sierra and Samuel shook hands with Sky. The three of them smiled at each other. In that moment, all the past unpleasantness evaporated in an instant.


    "Stay for dinner. I''ll have Gorge prepare it."


    Charlotte stood up. "Honey,e with me. Let the young ones have some time to talk amongst themselves."


    "Alright." William got up and left the room with her.


    Soon, only Sky, Sierra, and Samuel were left in the living room. Since getting released from prison, Sky had be even quieter. If no one spoke first, he wouldn''t say a word.


    Sierra and Samuel sat for a while, unsure of what to say. Finally, Sierra stood up.


    "Well... we''ll head back now."


    "My mom invited you to stay for dinner." Sky stood too. "Sit a while longer. Have your dinner before leaving."


    "That''s alright." Sierra looked a little embarrassed. "My parents are still in Causeway Bay. They just arrived and aren''t familiar with the area.


    "Plus, we need to buy some household items. Until now, Samuel was living there alone, and we''d been staying at Sophia and Samantha''s ce."


    Samuel chimed in. "Yeah. Sky, once my leg heals, I''ll treat you to a meal. We mainly came today to apologize. Since you''re not holding it against us and are even willing to be friends, we''re really grateful.


    "When I''m better, I''ll definitely invite you out properly. We''ll leave for now."


    "Then, say goodbye to my mom first. I''ll walk you out afterward," Sky said. "Alright. Thank you, Sky."


    Sierra pushed Samuel to see Charlotte. After a short conversation, they insisted on leaving, and Charlotte didn''t force them to stay.


    "I''ll have Sky walk you out. Visit us more often. If anything happens, don''t be afraid to speak directly with me or William.


    "What happened to Sophia was partly because she never asked us for help. Things wouldn''t have gone that far if she had. Though we''ve always doted on our daughter, we wouldn''t have let her hurt anyone.


    "So, Sierra, if anyone in the Walker family ever treats you unfairly, be sure to tell us right away. William and I would never abuse our power or act unreasonably.


    "We''ve always tried to be kind and


    fair. But the Walker family is big, with many staff members under our employment. We can''t keep track of everything, you see. If you don''t speak up, we won''t ever know.  s


    "We haven''tpletely handed the family over to our sons. William and I are still in charge."


    "Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Walker." Sierra''s eyes turned red. She remembered what Samuel had said—that if Sophia had spoken up to the Walker family, her story might''ve turned out differently.


    Now, hearing Charlotte''s words, Sierra realized Samuel''s perspective had been right all along.


    "Mrs. Walker, Mr. Walker, we''ll head back now. We''ll visit again soon."


    "Alright. Go ahead."


    "Sky, walk Sierra and Samuel out."


    "Yes, Mother."<fnd980> The rightful source is fin?novel</fnd980>


    Sky stepped forward and nodded slightly. "I''ll walk you out."


    "Thank you."


    Sky escorted Sierra and Samuel out of the vi and to their car.


    "Sierra, don''t hold on to the past. I''m not bothered by it. And Samuel, you''re Sophia''s brother. Be kinder to her. Even if you think you''re right, take a step back sometimes."


    "We understand." Sierra and Samuel nodded in unison.


    "Thank you, Sky."


    "Be good to each other and live well." Sky looked at them seriously. "In this life, it''s normal to make mistakes or misjudge people. But to find apatible partner who loves you deeply is incredibly rare  s


    "If you love each other, cherish it."


    "We will," Samuel said, eyes slightly red as he looked at Sierra. "I know I made a


    mess of things before. I''ll change. Sky, we hope you find someone you love soon


    too."


    Sky shed a bitter smile. "Let''s hope so. Take care on the way back."


    "We will."


    "Come visit again sometime."


    "Thank you. We will."


    Sky helped Samuel into the car and packed up the wheelchair. He waved as he watched them drive away.


    Inside the car, Samuel and Sierra looked at each other, then interlocked their fingers just like they used to.


    "Darling, I''ll never make the same


    mistakes again. I''ll take good care of


    you, be good to your parents, and


    never make you want to divorce me


    again. Samuel''s eyes reddened His


    voice was serious and heartfelt.  s


    Sierra''s eyes turned red too. She said nothing, reached out, and hugged him


    close.


    After a long moment, she softly said, "Samuel, I love you."