Stephen Musgrave seemed to have a story of his own.
Evan believed that the duke had his reasons for leaving Nicole’s mother back then.
Nicole snorted at the duke’s reply and asked, “Then should the jerk kneel and apologize in front of the woman’s grave whom he had abandoned?”
The pain and suffering that her mother had endured while giving birth to her and her dire circumstances back then could never be compensated even if the man before her came crawling and apologize at her mother’s grave.
The duke seemed to resonate with Nicole’s feelings.
One of the deepest regrets in his life was not being able to get together with Rosalie.
He was stumped for a moment and looked at Nicole. “I will go visit your mother.” He did not beat around the bush further.
She no longer restrained herself since the duke had already gone straight to the point.
“If you’re not going to kneel and apologize, there’s no point for you to go visit her! My mother does not want to see you!” Nicole growled at him.
“Nicole, I understand how you feel. The relationship between your mother and I is one of the deepest regrets of my life.”
“Your deepest regret? More like the most unfortunate thing to ever happen to my mother!”
All of a sudden, memories came flashing before her eyes. Memories of her mother staring blankly at the sky; memories of her mother being silent most of the time; memories of her mother’s look of despair; memories of her mother’s depression…
All of which had to do with the man before her.
All the unfortunate events that befell her mother was because the man whom her mother loved the most abandoned her. The pain inflicted upon her would haunt her short-lived life.
Is Mom’s encounter with this man a fortunate or unfortunate event?
The duke fell silent and did not say another word. Stumped, Nicole turned around to leave.
Evan rose and looked at the duke. “Could you disclose whatever happened back then?”
Stephen did not reply. He merely said, “Take good care of her.” Then, he took his leave as well.
“She will never be able to move on if you don’t tell her.”
Evan said as he saw the duke turn around. Stephen halted his steps for a moment before leaving.
Evan noticed Nicole staring at the night sky with reddened eyes as soon as he got inside the car.
He knew she must have thought about her mother again.
He edged closer to her and took her in his embrace. Softly, Evan said, “Just cry if you feel like it.”
“I’m not going to cry. Why would I? I just don’t understand why my mother fell for him back then.”
Evan reached out to tap her head. His gaze was affectionate and gentle. “Before knowing that he’s your father, didn’t you like him too? Why did you like him then?”
Nicole fell deep into her thoughts.
She felt that he was a gentle elder who cared for her. The feeling was quite inexplicable as he emitted an elder’s love and affection.
However, now that she knew of the truth…
“Could I have been blinded? I didn’t know who he truly was.”
“I think there must be a reason your mother had fallen for him. If he were truly heartless, why had your mother not been able to forget about him?”
Well, that could be true.
Seeing that Nicole went silent, he gently called her name. “Nicole, I think your mother would like to see you reunite with him.”
Really?
Is that really what Mom wishes to see?
Evan’s extrapolation piqued her interest in knowing her mother’s relationship with the duke.
Maybe they were madly in love, and their love story was a tragic one.
Having said that, she still stood by her view that the duke should not have abandoned her mother.
“Get a good night’s sleep tonight.”
“Okay.”
The car sped along the road. Soon, Nicole felt sleepy. She leaned in Evan’s arms and dozed off. She felt safe and sound in his arms.
At the estate.
Stephen stood in front of Rosalie’s portrait. He lifted his head to look at the portrait as his mind was preoccupied with a myriad of thoughts. He could not even begin to find the words to describe his feelings.
My daughter thinks I am a jerk who abandons my woman when she’s pregnant!
He felt his heart constricting at the thought.
“Rosalie, Nicole looks just like you. I shouldn’t have given up on our relationship. I shouldn’t have believed the lies that you told me. I shouldn’t have… They must have forced you into doing it, right?”
