Chapter 177
Nathalie finally got up from the recliner and walked over to Miranda. Those old feelings of hurt and resentment? They seemed like distant memories now, replaced by a serene calm.
“Up until yesterday, I still had a bit of feeling left for you. But now, our bond as mother and daughter is over. You’re a smart woman. You know what I’m getting at. Why try to hold onto something that’s already falling apart?”
Miranda got the message loud and clear. Nathalie had rushed to see her the moment she heard about Miranda’s illness, which was an act of care. But Miranda had used her illness as a trap to lure Nathalie in, all to protect Greta’s interests. She even teamed up with Patrick to try to cage her.
Nathalie must have been so disappointed.
Tears welled up in Miranda’s eyes. “I’m sorry.”
Nathalie just shrugged it off. “You weren’t wrong; you just didn’t love me enough.”
And with that, she walked out without looking back.
Miranda broke down, crying her heart out.
When Nathalie got downstairs, her eyes met Nathan’s. They didn’t say a word but didn’t need to. They both got what the other was feeling.
They just gave each other a nod–a silent acknowledgment to keep things cool.
The papers to cut off the parent–child relationship were already laid out on the coffee table, impossible to miss.
Nathalie picked up the pen and signed her name without a second thought. Then, she pressed her thumbprint next to it.
Patrick watched her do it, feeling a strange pull at his heartstrings. He had lost her–his daughter–for good.
“Nellie…” he called out, his voice full of pain. “Don’t blame me. Greta was my first daughter, and she wasn’t well. The doctors said only your cord blood could save her, so I begged your mom to have you. You were born to save Greta, so maybe I always saw you as just a remedy for your sister. I did a lot that hurt you. I hope you can understand a father’s love for his child…”
Nellie looked at him, her face distant. “Mr. Brown, I’ve saved your daughter twice. I’ve repaid my debt for being born. From now on, we go our separate ways. We will have no
more ties.*
Patrick’s fingers shook uncontrollably.
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Nathalie saw his trembling hands but acted like she didn’t. She smiled at Nathan. “Nathan, I’m finally free.”
Nathan smiled back. “Let’s get out of here. Leave this place and never look back.”
“Yeah.”
Nathan and Nathalie walked out together, hand in hand.
Patrick slumped to the floor, his white hair glowing under the light, looking more like snow
than ever.
Greta came over, her eyes downcast. “Dad, you never liked her anyway. Shouldn’t you be happy she’s gone?”
Patrick replied, feeling empty, “When she was here, I always found something wrong with her. I said she was uneducated, clumsy, and a disgrace. Now that she’s done well, I’ve lost her for good.”
Greta said, “Don’t be sad, Dad. You still have me.”
Patrick seemed a bit comforted. “Yeah, thank goodness I still have you.”
Over at the Dawson family villa, Cameron had spent the night on the couch.
When Griffin got home in the morning, he found Cameron still lazing around and, in frustration, kicked him off the couch.
Cameron hit the floor with a start, wide–eyed in surprise. Catching Griffin’s disapproving glare, Cameron was fully awake. He sat up and mumbled, “Dad,” with his
eyes downcast.
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