Sleeping With The CEO-Chapter 318: The Power Of Forgiveness

Emily was not going to lie and be like those people who loved taking the moral high ground in arguments. Saying things like, ’I was never angry’ and ’I forgave you a long time ago.’

No, that was not her at all. When they had been making their way to the manor, Emily had been very angry.

And the closer that they had gotten to their destination. The angrier she had gotten. Most of it directed at Derek’s mother because she had seen it fit to interfere in Derek and Emily’s relationship, as though they were teenagers who did not know any better. Like she was the only one who knew what was best for her son.

And was therefore entitled to make decisions for him. To choose the person that he should be with. That anger had not gone away when Emily had finally set eyes on Derek’s mother. But she had been willing to talk...to listen.

Even with her willingness to have open communication though. Emily had thought that forgiveness would take a while. That even though she and Derek’s mother would be on speaking terms, after they had talked everything out. That there would be a low level anger simmering at the back of her mind.

An anger that would take perhaps a few months, or a few years to fully dissipate. But the moment that Cassandra Haven had started to cry. The anger that Emily had expected to keep feeling for a while longer had instantly gone cold and disappeared altogether.

She could not stand seeing an old woman cry. And despite her youthful looks and all of the elegance. That was exactly what Cassandra Haven was. An old woman with just one child, a child that she loved dearly.

So when she had burst into tears, Emily had not been able to just sit back and watch her fall apart.

It had felt like watching her own mother cry. And rather than remain indifferent, Emily had found herself rushing forward and pulling the older woman into her arms. Offering comfort instead of anger.

That one small act of kindness should not have meant anything. After all, it was just a simple hug given to a crying woman. But it had changed a whole lot. The tension that had been wound tight around all three of them seemed to just dissipate during the embrace.

And once Cassandra had gotten herself under control.

It felt as though Emily were looking at a completely different woman. She was no longer looking at Emily as though Emily was about to steal her whole world away from her. Instead, when Emily had looked into Cassandra Haven’s eyes, all she had seen there was gratitude and curiosity.

Like the woman was now really looking at Emily for the first time and seeing her. Wanting to know more about Emily without making any assumptions. Realizing that she was no longer being viewed as the enemy had also helped Emily relax somewhat.

The emotional shield that she had put around herself lowering so that she could converse with Cassandra Haven, without feeling as though she had to be on guard in case the woman attacked her. They had a pleasant conversation for a short while talking about nothing in particular.

Just the usual topics that people focused on when they were trying to pass the time. Things like weather, the colours of the tapestry, and whatever else came to mind. Cassandra picking a subject, and Emily simply going along with it.

Light, pleasant conversation which was the polar opposite of the heavy stuff that they had been dealing with.

Derek, for his part, had been suspiciously quiet throughout the encounter. Ever since the hug, he had not really said anything. His eyes going from Emily to his mother.

Even as they were talking in that very moment, he was still not adding to the conversation. Simply staying quiet and watching them, his brow furrowed like he was trying to figure out if he had missed something.

"How do you feel about opera?" Derek’s mother asked. And though Emily was not really that interested in it, she had been to a few shows.

So she knew enough to keep the conversation going. They talked and they talked, all the while, slowly finishing off their respective muffins. Emily having hers with some ice cream. If anyone were to walk in on them, they would assume that Cassandra and Emily were the best of friends.

That they had known each other for years, and got along like a house on fire. The only way that anyone would be able to tell that there was something off with the interaction would be by glancing at Derek. The longer they talked the more uncomfortable he seemed to become.

The man had good instincts, especially when it came to women.

The animosity between her and Cassandra Haven was no longer out in the open, but Emily could still feel her own rage bubbling just beneath the surface. Derek’s mother had wronged her, and that was not something that could be swept under the rug and easily forgotten.

She might have apologized. But because she had burst into tears soon after. Emily had not gotten the chance to tell her whether or not she accepted the apology.

Now they were talking about hobbies as though they were the best of friends. But it was not really about their interests. Instead, it was the two of them sizing each other up. Trying to see if they had enough in common to try and have an actual relationship.

At least for Derek’s sake. Emily was pleased to see a bit of common ground. And Cassandra Haven must have too, because she dropped all pretense of polite conversation. Going back to the reason for Derek, and Emily’s visit in the first place.

"If I could go back in time. I would have had this being our first meeting. But unfortunately, that cannot be. I have already messed up our first encounter together, " The older woman said, her voice full of regret.

"Emily Molson, when I had you brought here, I did so out of malice. Then I proceeded to verbally and emotionally attack you,"

"At the time, I thought that I was doing it to protect my son, but there is no excuse for the horrific way in which I behaved. I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me," Mrs Haven picked up a glass of water and then put it down without taking a sip.

"I am sorry, Emily," This time, she managed to keep it together after her apology.

Next to her, Derek took a startled breath. No doubt shocked that his mother was apologizing again. And that helped Emily make up her mind on what her response was going to be.

Had she gotten even an inkling that his mother was lying. That she was being manipulative. Then Emily would have gotten up and walked right out. But this was Cassandra Haven being genuine, her son’s reaction proved that. So Emily decided to be genuine as well.

"What you did hurt. It really really hurt. But at the end of the day you were just a mother trying to defend her child. So long as you promise never to do it again. I forgive you," Emily said. And the words felt like a huge weight lifted off her shoulders.

There was a relieved exhale from next to her, and she realized that she was not the only one who was being freed by her forgiveness. Derek was also breathing easier.

All of the tension seemed to just leave him all at once. He reached for Emily’s hand under the table, giving her a reassuring squeeze. The two of them shared a smile, and Emily knew that she had made the right choice.

Staring at one another, the two of them did not notice Cassandra Haven wiping a tear, and then kissing her wedding ring as she watched them.

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