Babel Novel
Chapter 1372
Chapter 1372
Chapter 1372
Wrenn had been harboring a thought in her heart for a long time, and it was starting to overwhelm her. “Actually… I am a bit scared, not of her, but of her despising me,” she confessed to Frederic.
Frederic paused his actions, took her hand, and held it in his own. “Why would you think that? From what I see, Neera is not a petty person, and I don’t think she has any disdain for you.”
“Even if I don’t want to admit it, I have indeed done many things that hurt her, and I’ve also hurt Jean. These are things that can’t be erased. How could she not be fed up with a bad mother-in-law like me?” Wrenn’s heart felt heavy, as if burdened by a stone, making it hard for her to breathe.
She was in such distress that she could hardly bear it, and tears welled up in her eyes. “Honey, what was I thinking before? How could I have been so foolish, unable to discern people’s true intentions? The Laker family was clearly using me, trying to climb up to Jean. How could I not see it? Also, Jean clearly expressed his thoughts to me. Why couldn’t I listen? I… I wasn’t such a harsh and bitter person before. How did I become like this? I feel like I’m losing myself…”
As she spoke, her sadness grew, and tears rolled down her cheeks. “She’s such a good girl, yet I was blind, always distrusting her, doubting her, speaking harshly to her. How can she possibly forgive me? Because of my foolishness, I almost harmed Jean, causing him so much suffering. What kind of mother/am I? No wonder she doesn’t want to deal with me. Now that I think about it, I can’t even forgive myself! She tolerated me so many times before, but it was because Jean was hurt that she couldn’t bear it anymore. She truly cares for Jean. Why couldn’t I see that? What kind of person am I? I despise myself…”
The long-standing guilt and remorse buried deep in her heart had been tormenting her incessantly.
No matter how many times she apologized, no matter how many times she expressed her gratitude, that pain couldn’t be eased.
Every time she saw the cold indifference in Neera’s eyes, it felt like a needle pricking her, making her hate herself more and more.
At that moment, Wrenn poured out all her worries. She buried her head in Frederic’s quilt, crying silently like a flustered child. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
Frederic watched with distress, continuously stroking her shoulders and back, his eyes filled with tender concern. “All right, all right. Wrenn, stop crying. If you keep crying, your eyes will swell up.”
But Wrenn continued to cry as if she wanted to release all the sorrow she had been carrying for so long.
Frederic smiled helplessly. “Wrenn, if you keep crying like this, people will think my condition has worsened again.”
Upon hearing those words, Wrenn was displeased. She sat up and lightly slapped him, though she didn’t use much force. “What nonsense are you talking about? Don’t jinx it. Take it back.”
Frederic chuckled heartily. In a very good-natured manner, he complied. “Okay, okay, I take it back.”
“Stop crying, okay?” He tried to sit up a bit, to be closer to her, but he lacked the strength and leaned back again.
Wrenn stared at him, somewhat worried, and quickly stood up to support him. “Don’t move around recklessly.”
But he held her back. “I won’t mess around. You sit down. Are you feeling better now?”
The conversation returned to the initial topic. Wrenn sniffed, murmuring, “It’s just unbearable.”
A soft chuckle escaped Frederic’s lips, tinged with affection. “You’re all grown up now, yet you’re crying like a little child.”
Wrenn, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, glared at him. “If I feel suffocated inside, isn’t it natural for me to cry? I’ve been holding it in for so long, and you keep causing trouble, scaring me half to death. If I don’t vent a little, I’ll either go mad or become depressed.”
Gazing at her tear-streaked face, Frederic sighed. “You’ve been carrying too much on your mind. Ever since Jean fell ill, you’ve never really relaxed. You should let it all out. As for Neera, don’t rush things. Mending relationships takes time. Neera isn’t petty or overly concerned about minor details, but it’s inevitable that she has some resentment. We were in the wrong, and we have to face the consequences.”
“I know…” Wrenn unconsciously rubbed her hands together. “I know that when I do something wrong, I have to take responsibility and accept the consequences. I’m just… just feeling so choked up and angry at myself. She’s such a good girl, yet I judged her based on my own standards. I was so foolish to have messed up our relationship like this. Moreover, I realized that I’ve never prioritized Jean’s feelings. I always doubted him, putting him in a difficult position…”
“It’s not too late now,” Frederic said thoughtfully.
“Is it?” Wrenn was uncertain. “I always feel that, no matter how much I try to make amends, Neera will never forgive me. Are we, as a family, destined to live in this awkwardness forever?”
The thought of her actions potentially ruining their potentially blissful family life filled her with even more regret.
Frederick sighed again. “What has happened, even if you regret it, has still happened. It’s an unchangeable fact. I understand you want Neera’s forgiveness, but I have to tell you, this can’t be rushed. What we can do is to be as good as possible to Neera and the children. No matter what Neera says or does, we must be tolerant and understanding.”
At that moment, he paused, then continued, “To be honest, there is no need for us to demonstrate understanding or tolerance. Even if she appears to dislike us, she has never treated us with indifference. Whenever there is a problem, she always puts forth her best effort to assist, never allowing past grievances to influence her actions. This girl, she is truly a genuine and pure individual…”
The realization that Neera was willing to go to great lengths for the heart intended for the heart transplant surgery made Wrenn feel even more ashamed.
She wiped the tear from her cheek, experiencing a profound sense of relief and tranquility. “I comprehend. Regardless of Neera’s attitude towards us, I will strive to treat her well and love her as if she were my own daughter. Even if she disregards me, it is acceptable. As long as she and Jean are happy together, that is all that matters.”
Frederic nodded. “It is commendable that you hold this perspective, and it is not just you, but also me…