Chapter 475 Dispelled The Barrier
When Lincoln did those things to me, there was no denying the resentment that I harbored against him. Would he have misunderstood me if I hadn’t tried to cover for Steven? Would he have done those things to hurt me if he knew the truth?
“You don’t need to apologize. After all, I admitted to the crime,” I mumbled. When I heard Lincoln’s apology, all of my hatred vanished into thin air.
“Anna, I am at a loss for words. How could you be so foolish? Fortunately, Josephine revealed the truth. If this misunderstanding persists, you would have spent several years in jail for nothing.” Though Lincoln’s gaze was reproachful, I also noticed a glimmer of guilt in his eyes.
“At that time, I didn’t think much about it or know what to do,” I explained softly.
Since it was now revealed that Steven was the culprit, I was trapped in turmoil. What’s going to happen to him?
Shortly after, they led me out of the police station. Since Josephine had revealed the truth, there was no need for the police to detain me any longer.
Nevertheless, I still felt guilty about her condition and requested Michael to drop me at the hospital for a visit.
Before her injury, we had a rocky and tense relationship because Josephine was never satisfied with me. She constantly nitpicked at every little thing I did. Nevertheless, she was still Michael’s mother. I also found myself concerned about her well-being.
When I arrived at the ward, Josephine was resting on her bed. Yet, her eyes were wide open.
Carefully, I made my way over. An awkward silence blanketed the air as I struggled to come up with something to say.
Josephine was the first to shatter the silence. “You came?” she said weakly. The corners of her lips upturned into a small smile.
“I’m sorry…” The sight of her pale face and frail figure caused tears to well up in my eyes. Aside from an apology, I truly didn’t know what else to say.
Although we weren’t particularly close, she was still my elder. My heart ached to see her in such a feeble state.
“Michael has already explained everything to me. I’m sorry for all the trouble and suffering I put you through this past year.” Josephine reached out her hand and spoke tenderly.
Her warm tone caught me entirely off-guard. Despite my surprise and skepticism, I still held onto her outstretched hand.
“No, you were the one who suffered the most. I was partly at fault for your coma,” I replied while taking a seat next to the bed.
“Enough, stop apologizing.” Josephine shook her head. “After this incident, I spent a lot of time reflecting on the past. I realized I have been too harsh on you and treated you horribly. It’s all my fault.”
Her sincere apology was unexpected to me. I could hardly believe my ears. Did she really just say that?
In the past, it was no secret that Josephine absolutely detested me. She was constantly scheming to get me away from Michael. In her eyes, I was not worthy enough for her son. Right now, she seemed like a wholly different person.
“I know you’re a kind and sincere woman. You got together with Michael because you truly loved him. I won’t get between the both of you ever again,” Josephine continued, seeing that I remained silent.
When I heard this, tears rolled down my cheeks.
“Mom, thank you so much.” Her words moved me so much that I reached out to hug her.
From aside, a smile crossed Michael’s handsome face as he watched our heart-warming interaction.
Once the barrier between us was dispelled, I spent the rest of the days nursing Josephine back to health.
After she regained consciousness, it felt like she’d become someone else entirely. Following our heart-to-heart conversation, Josephine showered me with nothing but love and treated me akin to her own daughter.
Surrounded by the Shaw family’s affection, I felt like the happiest woman in the world.
After a week in the hospital, Josephine was finally well enough to be discharged. Nevertheless, she was still weak and had to rest at home.
Back then, I was always reluctant to visit the Shaw residence. There, Josephine used to ridicule me endlessly. In stark contrast, I now found myself enjoying her company.
After the events that transpired, I remarried Michael and spent the rest of my days in bliss.
It didn’t take long for the police to capture Steven. My heart skipped a beat when they called the Shaw residence to inform us of his imprisonment. In spite of everything he’d done, I still found myself concerned for him.
After all, he was still my younger brother. I couldn’t bear to see him locked behind bars. In the end, Michael forbade me from interfering with this matter as he claimed he was acting for the sake of Steven.
I also knew my brother’s personality like the back of my hand. If he continued to run free, he might land himself in more trouble. Michael’s right; Steven needs to be taught a lesson.
That night, we gathered around the table for dinner. While I was feeding Amaury, the butler suddenly burst in unannounced.
“Mr. Andy.” A flicker of hesitance flitted across the butler’s gaze when he noticed my presence amongst the Shaws.
“What’s the matter? Why are you so frantic? Can’t you see we’re in the midst of having dinner?” The sudden disturbance prompted Andy to scowl at the flushed-faced butler.
“Mr. Andy, the Garcia family is at our door. S-Should I invite them in?” the latter stammered. Once again, he stole another nervous glance in my direction.
He must be referring to Dad and Mom. This news didn’t come across as a huge surprise. Ever since Steven was captured, I already anticipated that they would pay me a visit.
It’d been quite some time since I returned to the country. Yet, not once did my parents attempt to contact me. Their radio silence made me feel like a child whom they’d abandoned.
It was only in dire times like this that they would try to reach out to me, their only daughter.
As soon as the butler finished speaking, everyone’s gaze fell on me. They must be waiting for me to respond.
Truthfully, I still felt conflicted over this matter. Nevertheless, I was well aware of the Shaw family’s position in this matter and knew what to do in this precarious situation.
I lowered my head and continued feeding Amaury as if I heard nothing.
I’ve done enough for my family. This time, I won’t give in to their demands.
“Tell them Anna’s not home,” Andy instructed solemnly. From the somber tone of his voice, I could tell the Shaw family was still angry about the incident. It was a rare sight to see Andy outside of his light-hearted demeanor.
Though they’d forgiven me, it didn’t mean they shared this same sentiment regarding my family.
Throughout the entire exchange, I kept my mouth shut. It amounted to a silent agreement toward Andy’s decision.
