Chapter 106
Asher admits that Nicole used to be a cousin who could be described as good and obedient. She was also smart, accomplished, and had a beautiful appearance.
In truth, there was nothing wrong with Nicole. However, after her father’s business failed and he passed away, Nicole seemed to distance herself from the extended family.
As Asher knows, Nicole became the backbone of her family. Being the eldest child, she had to support her mother and siblings, whether she liked it or not.
She used to attend college while working part-time. Once, Asher’s mother offered Nicole a job at her boutique to help with finances. However, Nicole declined at that time. But, a few years later, perhaps because she needed a job, Nicole asked Aurora for employment.
Being family, Aurora didn’t suspect anything. She offered Nicole a job as a secretary in the company Alex owned. Little did anyone know, asking for this job was one of Nicole’s premeditated plans. She intentionally wanted to work in the same office as Alex to get closer to him.
Nicole has done many wicked deeds. She clearly flirted, seduced, and even persuaded Alex to marry her. Regardless of how broken Aurora’s heart was when she found out about their affair.
Even after being caught, Nicole became even more audacious. She tried to get closer again, and unfortunately, Alex was tempted for a second time, repeating the same mistake.
It’s not Aurora’s fault for being suspicious. Asher himself was infuriated by Nicole’s behavior. Even when he managed to retaliate, Nicole still held grudges. Fortunately, once again, Asher managed to silence her and render her powerless.
And now, finding Nicole unexpectedly visiting her parents’ home, Asher grew suspicious. He wondered why she brought her mother and siblings along.
“What are you doing here?”
Asher asked, full of questions. He let Nicole and her mother stand right at the doorstep of his parents’ house.
“I have something important to tell you.”
“Important?”
Nicole nodded. From her expression, it was evident that she hoped Asher would grant her request to speak about something important.
“What is it, Ash?”
Elenna, noticing her door was still open, approached. She faintly heard her son’s voice and was curious about whom Asher was talking to in front of the house.
“Nicole and Aunt Senia are here, Mom.”
Hearing this, Elenna hurried closer. Seeing Senia and Nicole left standing, she immediately invited them into her house.
“Come in,” Elenna requested politely. Even though Nicole had clearly wrecked Aurora’s marriage, her beloved daughter’s, Elenna didn’t allow herself to act wickedly like the mothers in drama series. Otherwise, she might have already grabbed Nicole’s hair or scratched her out of sheer anger.
“Enough with the small talk. What brings you here?”
“Asher!”
Elenna reprimanded immediately. She looked at Asher and shook her head. Despite Asher’s rudeness, she didn’t allow her son to behave impolitely, even though she knew he acted this way because he was still upset about what Nicole had done.
“Yes, Mom, sorry, Asher apologizes.”
Elenna sighed. Then she turned her gaze towards Nicole, who was clearly hanging her head.
“What’s up, Nicole? Senia? Do you have something to say?”
Nicole nodded. From her face, it was obvious she was very nervous. Perhaps she felt guilty or realized she had made a big mistake before.
It took courage for her to step into Aurora’s parents’ home.
“Mama Elena…” she whispered softly. “Before I speak at length, Nicole wants to apologize.”
Elenna furrowed her brows. She didn’t expect what Nicole had just said.
“Apologize?”
Nicole nodded repeatedly.
“By God, sincerely from the bottom of my heart, Nicole truly apologizes to Uncle Joshua, Mama, Asher, and also Aurora. I apologize for Nicole’s outrageous behavior all this time.”
Elenna listened carefully to what Nicole said. Delving into her sparkling brown eyes, Elenna believed her niece spoke sincerely.
“Is this a genuine apology? No hidden agenda, right? Later on, we might find out there’s a hidden motive. Or are you perhaps asking for compensation for childbirth? That’s why you keep coming here, talking so nicely with a pitiful face.”
Asher sneered. It was difficult for him to trust Nicole after what she had done. Once tainted, it was hard for him to repair her image in his eyes.
“Asher…” Elenna intervened again. “Enough. Don’t be like that. Appreciate Nicole’s good intentions. She came here to apologize.”
“Yes, Elenna. Please forgive Nicole,” Senia added, trying to assist her daughter who was cornered. Despite previously being disrespectful by telling everyone that she was deceased and Nicole was an orphan living alone, Senia couldn’t hate her own daughter.
“I’ve forgiven Nicole. So you don’t have to worry. But, to forget her actions, I can’t. Nicole has done too many evil things to Aurora.”
Hearing this, a moment later, without being asked, Nicole immediately knelt at Elenna’s feet. Feeling immensely guilty for the sins she had committed.
Just call Nicole a case of biting the hand that feeds. She’s been helped so much, given a good job and trust, but deliberately stabbed backs and committed betrayal. She even kept bothering, seemingly unsatisfied until she saw Aurora suffer.
“Forgive me, Mom. Please forgive me. This time, Nicole truly regrets it and asks for forgiveness. Nicole promises she’ll never repeat such actions again.”
Elenna nodded. She briskly lifted Nicole’s body, then instructed her to sit back down.
“Mom has forgiven you. The important thing is, you won’t repeat the bad things you’ve done.”
“If it happens again, Asher will happily teach her a lesson, Mom,” he added, still sounding resentful.
Feeling that Asher still doubted her explanation and apology, Nicole turned to her cousin. Anyway, tonight she had to settle everything.
Nicole’s courage was actually small. But she had to try hard so her cousin would forgive her. Truly, she was still afraid of the threats Asher had directed at her earlier.
“I know you probably don’t believe all my words. It’s okay, I understand. This is the risk of what I’ve done all this time.”
“It’s good that you’re self-aware.”
Immediately, Elenna nudged Asher’s arm, signaling for her son to be more polite.
“But I genuinely regret it and apologize. Don’t worry, soon Mama and I will also leave from here. We promise not to disturb or appear in front of the Harperwood extended family again.”
Elenna was surprised. She turned, making sure of the news she had just heard from Nicole.
“You want to move?”
Nicole nodded.
“Yes, Mama Elena. The plan is, Nicole will move to Singapore.”
“With whom?”
“With Bastian,” Nicole answered confidently.
“Bastian? Alex’s equally troublesome friend, right?” Asher confirmed.
“Yes.” Nicole reluctantly explained. She felt she needed to tell everything. “After discussing and thinking it over, Nicole and Bastian decided to get married next week. After that, Nicole will follow him to Singapore because he got a job there. And also, knowing that no one is taking care of Mama and my siblings, Nicole just brought them all.”© NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.
Asher finally understood. There was a sense of relief that Nicole would leave on her own without him having to tell her.
“Okay… I hope your life will be better there. And hopefully, after this, there won’t be any more drama or actions from you that trouble many people.”
“No,” Nicole affirmed. “Nicole makes sure she will never bother Aurora again.”
After a lengthy discussion to convey her intentions, Nicole then decided to leave. The important thing was, she now felt relieved because she had asked for forgiveness.
And Asher was truly grateful. He hoped that after this, there would be no more problems, and his extended family could live happily.