"The infamous fashion designer, Merlin Florence has committed suicide because the rumors and the stains on her name become unbearable for her."

I put my hand over my mouth as I felt my chest tightened upon hearing the news. A heavy breath escaped my lips and my mind was left with the incapability to think anything else but the despair of whatever she went through. I know she wasn't nice to me at all and also committed depraved acts such as defiling me, telling my mother what Christian did to me at a party. But I am still repentant. What she has gone through might lead everyone to the ultimate end but it gave me a dread of what she has gone through. My heart skipped a beat, my feet froze to the ground. I felt disheartened as my heart became heavy. Tears pricked in the corner of my eyes as I turned to Christian who stood there stunned. I hesitantly tugged on his shirt dragging him out from his thoughts as he turned to me and gave me a look of sorrows and narrowed his eyes at me. He gulped, trying to find words to speak but couldn't. It was hard. He finally mustered some courage and began to say,

"Sophie... I was determined to give her an end like this but..." He then turned to the news, "It doesn't feel good at all.." He whispered to himself. He swallowed hard and took a step back.

He stood again emotionless in the room. Seems like he is thinking something, maybe what he'll do now. I kept looking at his skeptical face thinking he might show some hint of regret or anything but he showed none of it as he turned to Samuel and asked him, "Where's Aletha and Christopher?"

"They are with Gwen." He nodded and left without saying another word. My mouth gaped in astonishment as he said those words and now acting as if nothing happened. He put an emotionless front and tried not to let it affect his mind because he always wanted to give her an end like this but now it has actually happened, he couldn't let out his true emotions because his aim is not letting him. He is stuck.

I went after him and called him, "Christian!" He stopped in his tracks and turned to me, he raised an eyebrow at me and hummed. He acts as if her death is meaningless, even in revenge. He seemed completely normal, not a single shred of remorse or happiness that he completed his goal.

"Don't you feel anything?" I asked hoping he'll show a single emotion but to no avail. I don't know what I am thinking is right or wrong but I definitely can't be happy over someone's death even if that person is that Bastard's daughter. A human life is precious and you can't bear any grudges to the dead. We both have to understand this.

"Tell me what you feel first," Christian said, turning to me. I gave him a sad look and replied, "I mourn her death."

"Well, I don't. You mourn her death, I have no intentions of doing that." He said with austerity and turned away and left as I again came after him and he continued, "The day she broke her boundaries, her death became my goal. I don't feel anything for her. This has to happen."

"Then not as the person who attempted low acts but as a person you once loved. Tell me how you feel?" I asked. He stopped and turned to me, he narrowed his eyes at me in anger but I also glared at him. We both have a staring competition which he loses as he sighed and replied, "May her soul rest in peace... because she couldn't find any peace when she was alive." He said the last part to himself.

"Happy? Now can I go and can you please not talk about her anymore?" He said exasperatedly. I looked at him and put my hand on my waist as I let out a sigh, "Fine.." He smiled and kissed my cheeks as he left and I went with him.

We were playing with the kids and somehow, I don't know why I want to attend her funeral. I don't know why but I feel sorry for her. I don't even want to know what Christian did to her but somewhere in my heart, I feel as if I am the culprit of her death.

I wonder how he's feeling? He is acting all stoic. Urgh! Why are you being so complicated?

He was smiling widely while playing with Aletha.

"Come here, Princess." He smiled and held his hands to her as she crawled to him and he smiled so widely. As for Christopher, he was sleeping.

"Christian.," I called him again.

"Hmm?"

"Can't we attend her funeral?" He stopped and looked at me in disbelief.

"Are you out of your mind?! Sophie, Okay I get it you mourn her death but we are not going anywhere."

"Christian you can't hide that look of remorse. We'll watch it from afar. But, we are going." I said sternly.

"We are not." He replied in the same tone. I scooted close to him as I held his hands, "Please don't be angry at the dead. Don't bear any more hate for her. Come.." I said giving his hand a gentle squeeze, passing him a sad smile. He looked at me for a minute and then lowered his gaze. He swallowed hard and looked down, "I"m the reason for her death. How can I attend it?" He whispered.

"We'll watch from afar," I suggested. "I don't think I can do this." He was slumped in dejection. I moved and cupped his cheek and said softly, "It's okay. I am with you." His lips began to quiver as he hesitantly nodded.

****

We stood outside the cemetery, watching her burial from afar. Her parents also seemed devastated because of the death of her daughter, lost one and neglected the other. They are left with no one; it's no less than God's punishment for them. They are crying so loudly. I turned to Christian who was looking down in shame. I patted his back and looked at him.

"Sophie... I wanted her to end up like this because of what she did to you but now, it isn't giving me any tranquility. I feel somehow.. repentant." This time my heart broke into millions of pieces as I realized that I failed to be his guide. I understood at the moment, how wrong I was. I was lost in hatred just like in and fell into the darkness as well. I couldn't let him leave the wrong path. My body began to quiver in dread as I felt so heartbroken. Tears dwell in my eyes as I held his hands and began to cry, "I am sorry... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry Christian." I began to sob. I put my head on his chest as I continued to cry.

"Sophie, what happened? Why are you crying?" He asked worriedly.

"It's my fault... I failed to light your path... I failed to guide you. Only if I forgive her and make.. you to forgive her too...This would never happen. You ..were blinded in revenge, so was I... I... I shouldn't have let you desire vengeance in the first place.. I'm so sorry. I couldn't help you to walk on the right path... I am so sorry. " I managed to say between the sobs. He rubbed my back, holding his tears back but still a few rolled down his cheek as he began to say with a void smile, "I guess both of us are at fault. Sophie guidance is a difficult path, sometimes your right decisions can be wrong. You just have to be strong and continue to light my path."

"But.. I.. I.." He cut me off by putting his index finger over my lips, "Shh.. it's okay. If the regret eats you up, it will astray you. Calm down. One of us has to be in light to lead the way and I want that person to be you. So don't break.. Or else I will too." he said in a croaked voice as I sniffed and nodded. My grip on his tightened, I kept looking down, not having enough course to look at her as my heart broke and I found myself in the labyrinth of darkness from where I have to find my path and never let the resentment to blind me ever again.

I'm so sorry...

1 Month Later:-

I sat on the sofa and put my leg over the other in proud as I held my head high in pride. A smirk was formed on my lips as I kept looking at Christian who was trying so hard to change Christopher's diaper. A laugh escaped my lips as I mocked, "Too easy, isn't it?" He scoffed and said, "Chris, Don't move that much."

"Watch it Aletha, how your father is trying that hard," I said to her. Christian kept trying but Christopher kept moving his legs, not letting him secure the diaper. When Christian finally thought he was successful in it, another laugh escaped my lips.

"What now? Can't you see? I won." He said annoyed as I replied, "You are not supposed to make him wear it like this, it's inside out." His mouth gaped as he felt his hopes being crushed.

"Unbelievable.." He whispered looking at the diaper then at me and then again like this. I finally stood up and handed him Aletha. I then showed him how to make a baby wear a diaper.

"Here," I said as I smiled and turned to him.

"You.. are so skilled." He complimented. "Thanks. But you lost the bet." I said with a smug look. "Okay.. okay... You won."He said shrugging his shoulders.

We place a bet that if Christian was successful in securing a diaper on Christopher, I'll do whatever he says for the rest of the week and vice versa... and I won!

I put my index finger under my chin and began to think about what I should make him do. As I was thinking, Gwen came as she said,

"Sir, Ma'am, You have guests." I raised my eyebrows as I asked, "Who?"

"Sir Roger and his wife." She said rather scared. When I heard it, my smile faded as a devoid emotion took over me. It was neither anger nor hatred but something else cannot decrypt.

"Gwen, watch the kids," I said as I stood up to meet them.

"You sure?" Christian asked, also standing beside me. "I don't know..." I sighed and went to them.

I entered the lounge with a dire gaze, I rolled my eyes from him and took a seat with Christian.

"I mourn your daughter's death," I said looking at the ground emotionless. She just hummed in response. I continued to stare at the floor as some unclear thoughts came to my mind and caused disruption but I held it back.

"So, What brings you here?" I asked, raising my gaze and meeting theirs which was filled with grief and remorse.

"Sophie.." Bastard said standing up. I spare a glance at him as he was looking down in... shame? I couldn't get his attitude. What happened to him?

"I know what I.. what we have done is unforgivable. After Merlin's death.. we realized our mistakes... about how wrong we were. The grief of losing a child, we finally understood it. We were so wrong."

"Took you long enough," I mutter under my breath.

This time the bitch stood up giving that same vibe as her husband.

"Sophie... We failed our duties. We have no words to justify ourselves. But we are repentant for our deeds. We cannot change the past, we cannot redeem our mistakes because they are too big but all we could do is to feel penitence and beg for your forgiveness."

"Oh, no, Actually I am grateful to you. If you guys don't neglect me, I can't have the happiest family. Loving Mother, brother, husband and sweet little kids. You guys disowning me is the best thing ever happened to me. No need to be repentant about it.." I said derisively. Christian gave my hand a gentle squeeze giving me a signal to at least listen to them. I scoffed and turned to them again.

They both looked down as tears began to roll down. My eyes widened as I stood up. I opened my mouth to speak something but then they bent before me... They fell on their knees. I gasped and took a step back. I couldn't find any words. I get it they are drowned in guilt but their grievous aura is too much. The way they are emitting the intense contrition startled me.

"Please Sophie. We are so sorry. We failed to do our duties. We are the worst scum in this world. We are so repentant for our deeds. We know you hate us deeply. We are not asking for things to be fixed but rather your forgiveness. We beg for your forgiveness Sophie. Please forgive us for our sinful acts. After losing Merlin we realized how wrong we were to disown you. That's what the grief of losing a child is. We were so wrong. Please forgive us. Please... Please. Please. We just want your forgiveness, nothing else." Roger cried while begging for forgiveness. I swallowed the lump in my throat as the sound of their cries echoed in my ears. Chaos roamed in my mind and I couldn't find words but I could feel the pain. I narrowed my eyes at them and began to say,

"Even if I try to, I can't forget your slap, Roger. I can't forget the day I arrested the guy who was supposed to be my father, the guy who was supposed to love and protect me. I can never forget the longing of your affection. Just for your attention, I become so ill-mannered so that you can think about me, for once! How can I forgive you for those tears I shed for your love!? Roger, you tortured me by leaving me all alone. And your wife, the woman who gave birth to me. Well, I have no words about her. I never consider her as someone significant.

And you guy can't come here after all these years being sorry just because you lost your daughter and realized your fucking mistakes. If you lose one you cannot come to the other. I am not a fucking second choice! I can't, Even if I try to, I can't forgive you." I said as tears fell from my eyes while I felt the agonizing pain of craving his attention.

"We are so sorry Sophie. We will do anything for your forgiveness. You don't have to accept me as your father or Juliette as your mother but please just forgive us. We will leave your lives and never return. We will vanish from your lives just forgive us so we can die in peace." He begged again. I bit my lips and turned away. I remained like that for a while as the sound of their cries rang in my ears. I took a deep breath and spoke up again,

"You know when we came to New York, I can clearly remember when mother used to have money problems but she never showed it. She didn't make a dress for her for five damn years. We were supposed to be your responsibility."

"I know I can't change those days all I can do is to feel remorse and penitence."

I swallowed hard and took a deep breath. And this time, I realized this is the moment to redeem my mistakes. It is the time where I can make things right.

"You know, My son... Christopher, His nose is just like you, pointy." I said in a croaked voice. He lifted his head and looked at me.

"Stand up. Don't be like this, it's pitiful." I said. I sighed and put my hand over my forehead. I gave him my neutral look,

"I will never accept you as my father or you as my mother but I'll not stop you from meeting your grandchildren. I'll never forget those days but I can try to forgive you. Maybe... I can give us a chance- no more than friends." I said and turned, their eyes tears up again upon hearing this,

"Oh, thank you so much, Sophie, You are so kind. Thank you."

They said as they stood up. I passed them a faint smile.

"Wanna meet them?" I asked. Their faces lit up in happiness and they gave me a quick nod.

I walked out with Christian, I held Christopher as Christian held Aletha. We're in our room and he asked, "I can't believe you actually forgive them." Christian breath out.

"I did it for you," I said brushing my nose against Christopher, which caused him to laugh and show his teeth. Christian gave me a questioning look and I replied, "I told you that I'll be your guide but if I made the wrong decisions, then how can I help you to make the right ones."

"What do you mean?" He was perplexed.

"If I forgive them, then I can help you too, to forgive others. So, the fire of revenge never blinds you again. I need to make my path clear to light up yours." I smiled and tilted my head. His eyes went wide in disbelief. "You're.. unbelievable..." Christian whispered.

"Just like you," I whispered back as we both went to see them. They cried in happiness when they saw Christopher and Aletha. I can see that look of adore in their eyes. Filled with immense joy and love upon holding them. They continued to play with them as they thanked me for letting them see them. Their content to see them was inexplicable. The way the elation shined in their eyes along with tears in them was beautiful. They almost seemed like they died to meet them and now finally seeing them fulfilled their long lost wish.

After seeing their smiles, I realized that the act of forgiveness is far greater than holding grudges. Forgiving is a great act because it gives you solace in the end.