Chapter 283: The celebration mode

Words : 1298 Updated : Oct 5th, 2025

Chapter 283: The celebration mode Oliver’s chest tightened. Her cold and detached words hit him harder than screams ever could. If she had yelled at him, cursed him, or called him a monster, he might have found some way to take it. But this emptiness, devoid of emotions, tore through him. "I’m sorry," he said again, barely able to breathe. "Please... if you can, forgive me." Anne didn’t flinch. Her expression didn’t change. Her voice stayed steady. "You are guilty. You wronged me, yes...But you hurt my mother far worse. You shattered her trust. You ripped her world apart. You took her child away and left her to suffer alone. And when she was lost in her pain, drowning in depression, you didn’t even look back." She turned her gaze to Margaret for a moment, a flicker of sadness crossing her face before she looked back at Oliver. "I didn’t grow up knowing you. I didn’t miss you. I didn’t even know you existed. All of this is new to me. The truth is fresh. It’s overwhelming. But I’m numb. It’s my mother who carried all the pain. It’s her you need to ask for forgiveness. Not me." "And I’m not forgiving him," Margaret said coldly, her voice sharp and final. She turned her gaze to Augustine. "Tell your assistant to take him out of here," she ordered. "I don’t want this man ruining the first dinner I’m having with my daughter." Augustine gave a subtle wave of his hand, signaling Gustave to take Oliver away. Gustave understood immediately and stepped forward. Oliver didn’t resist. He simply lowered his head as Gustave led him out of the room. As the door closed behind them, Margaret finally allowed herself a smile. She turned to Anne, her expression softening. Reaching for her hands, she gave them a tender squeeze. "Come," she said warmly, "let’s sit and talk." She guided Anne to one of the elegant sofas. The two sat down, side by side, beginning to reclaim the time that had been stolen from them. As their conversation began, Nathan quietly slipped away. He followed down the corridor and caught up to Oliver just before he reached the elevators. "Dad," he called out. Oliver stopped. His shoulders tensed before he slowly turned around, only to see Nathan coming over. He didn’t expect his son would come out for him. "Don’t worry, Dad. Mom is angry right now, but I’ll talk to her. Give it time. She’ll come around, I believe that." Oliver gave him a faint, tired smile. His eyes shimmered with gratitude but also doubt. "I hope so," he said quietly. "But for now... go enjoy dinner with your sister. That’s what matters." He turned and walked away, his footsteps slow, heavy, echoing with regret. Nathan stood there, watching him walk down the hallway, Oliver’s figure moving farther away from him with each step. "I’ll help Mom understand how deeply you regret everything. She’ll forgive you—she has to." He stepped back into the lounge, pausing at the entrance. Margaret sat with Anne, fully engaged in conversation, her face lit up with joy. She laughed at something Anne said. The kind of unguarded laugh Nathan hadn’t heard from his mother in years. He froze for a moment, quietly taking it in. It hit him how long it had been since he had seen her like this. For as long as he could remember, she had lived under a cloud of sorrow, crying in the dark, blaming herself, aching for the daughter she believed she had lost forever. Depression had shadowed every smile, every breath. But today, she looked alive. Her face was glowing, her energy lighter, her posture stronger. Nathan smiled, emotion tightening in his throat. "You okay?" came Augustine’s voice beside him, pulling him out of his thoughts. Nathan quickly wiped at the corner of his eye and let out a soft chuckle. "I’m fine. Just... emotional." Augustine nodded, then added calmly, "I’m not taking any legal action against Oliver for now. But if Anne decides she wants justice, that could change." Nathan looked down, troubled. "He is already filled with guilt. Isn’t that punishment enough?" Augustine turned his eyes to him, his expression serious. "That’s not my question to answer. You should ask your mother." Nathan nodded slowly. He understood. It wasn’t about what he thought was enough—it was about the pain Margaret had lived with for decades. He pushed the thought aside for now and smiled, regaining his usual warmth. "Come on," he said, clapping Augustine on the shoulder. "Let’s join them." They walked over to where Anne and Margaret were seated on the plush sofa. Margaret looked up, still glowing with excitement. "Nathan, we should throw a big party. Let the whole city know we finally found my long-lost daughter." Nathan laughed and sat beside her. "Absolutely, Mom. I’ll take care of everything. We’ll invite all our friends, relatives, business partners—everyone. Anne, you should invite your friends too." Anne smiled softly. "I don’t have many. Just Audrey. But maybe Augustine wants to invite someone." She shot Augustine a playful look, mischief twinkling in her eyes. He raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. Nathan glanced at Augustine, who sat comfortably beside him, curiosity flickering in his eyes. Augustine smirked, casually crossing one leg over the other. "I don’t really know anyone here," he said with a shrug. "Lost touch with all my old friends. Anne is the only one I’ve got. Her family, my family. Her friends, my friends." Anne’s cheeks flushed, and she bit her lower lip, smiling shyly. "Alright then, it’s settled," Margaret declared, bubbling with enthusiasm. "We’ll head to our hometown and throw a proper party to welcome Anne into the Gilson family. And since Augustine has married my daughter, he is part of this family too." She turned to Anne with a gleam in her eye. "We’ll announce your wedding at the party. So go ahead—pick a date." "Wedding?" Anne repeated, eyes widening in surprise, a bright grin spreading across her face. "Of course!" Margaret raised an eyebrow, pretending to be stern, though her joy was unmistakable. "You got the certificate, but don’t you want a real wedding?" Anne glanced at Augustine. He gave a casual shrug, his expression saying, ’I’m all in if you are.’ "I want a wedding," Anne said with excitement, her heart skipping. Margaret clapped her hands, practically glowing. "We’ll hire the best wedding planner. Everything must be perfect. I want the world to see how special you are." "And I’ll get you the most expensive wedding dress out there," Nathan added, grinning. "Jewelry, makeup, shoes—name it, I’ll handle it." Anne’s eyes shimmered. For so long, she had dreamed of this kind of love—a family that treasured her, celebrated her. Now, it was real. Augustine leaned back, his voice lazy but teasing. "Seems like everyone forgot about me. I can get all those things for my wife, you know." Nathan laughed. "We know you can. But let us handle it. This is our first chance to do something for Anne. Let us make it special for her." Augustine gave a small, good-natured nod. "Fair enough. She is your sister. Do whatever you want as long as it makes her smile." Anne’s chest swelled with warmth. Surrounded by her family and the man she loved, she felt whole as if all the missing pieces of her life had finally come together. A deep sense of contentment settled over her. Then, a thought crossed her mind—something important she hadn’t shared yet. She sat up straighter, her eyes shifting from Margaret to Nathan. "I have one more thing to tell you." Everyone turned toward her, curious. Anne hesitated, then smiled as she pressed a hand gently over her stomach. "I’m pregnant."

Chapter 283: The celebration mode

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