Too Late For Your Forgiveness Now

Crai

ssenger seat, the rejection a familiar sting, but this time, it felt different. It felt like freedom. The an

My mind replayed Jonathan' s callous words, his blank eyes as he walked away, the sickening image of

is was the house where my mother had once been vibrant, where her laughter used to echo. Now, it was a

currying, no Debrah orchestrating another charity gala. Just the stale air of a

er liquid in his hand, his usually impeccable suit looking

y voice flat, de

ating, held a flicker of surprise, quickly masked by a familiar annoya

and I are over," I stated, the words tasting l

are display of attention. "Over? What happened? Did you d

loom bracelet to Kecia. After she almost put m

gmatic calculation. "The Cartier? That was a substantial piece. But Kecia... she's so delicate. Maybe sh

s been this way, turning a blind eye to Kecia's manipulations, excusing Debrah's cruelty. My

ound. "She knew, Dad. She always knew. And J

. "Jonathan is a busy man. He cares about

crumbled into dust. It was never about me. It was about his misplaced sense o

trembling with a newfound rage. "He never did. I wa

e, Kiana. You're being ungrateful. Jonathan

spat. "I want out. Out of this

e he had shoved under my nose weeks ago, trying to save his failing company. He wanted me to marry Ga

Not for him, but for me. For a clean break. For a chance

didn't you?" I asked, my voice low a

that's not... It was a sugges

s bleeding. You need the Sawyer family's capit

ign of his guilt. "It would stabil

ed it. It was her passion, her legacy. But Debrah and Kecia had slowly

, my voice firm. "I'

d up, his eyes wide wit

her' s charity foundation. Every cent, every decision. And I want the shares of Craig Enterpr

e charity needs proper oversight. And your share

eave it. I'm walking away from Jonathan. If you don't agree, I walk away from everything. You can wat

and designer dress a stark contrast to the grim atmosphere. Kecia, ever the shadow, peered

over me with disdain. "Kiana, darling, you look positively

, a sweet, si

vene. "Debrah, not now. Kiana and I

ard about the macaron incident. Really, Kiana, you must stop trying to

"Your 'delicate' daughter almost killed me. And you stand the

a! How dare you speak to me like that?

on, spread rumors, stole my inheritance, and tried to poison me. What exa

. "Enough! Kiana, that's enough! Apolo

my shares, or I walk. And I promise you, Dad, if I walk, I'll make sure the wo

n't you dare! She's blackmailing you! That charity is p

gly calm. "It's a business proposition. Just li

then to Kecia' s pout. The fear of financial ruin warred with his w

unning a hand over his face. "Fine," he

just finally putting myself first. Draw up the papers. Tonight. I

"Kearney! You c

cornered. "Just... shut up." He looked at me, a flicker of something, m

est," I retorted, a s

h mingling with the bitter pain. As I reache

g. She'll sign anything to escape. We'll get her shares back eventually, Kearn

chimed in. "Yes, Daddy. Kiana is

ense of calm, hardened further. Unraveling? Regret? Oh, they had no idea. This wasn't

es. I would take everything they had ever tak

m their poisonous whispers. I needed a moment. A place to griev

nd hours here, tending to her roses. I knelt by a withered bush, tracing the outline of a faded blosso

e. I would honor her memory. I would make sure her charity thrived, genuinely, not as a facade for Debrah's so

he sky with streaks of orange an

long with everyone who had wronged me, would soon discover the depths of my res