THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 265: Is It Truly Revenge That Your Soul Craves For?
"Thirst for revenge" you called it," Kathleen repeated Lauren’s words.
"You know that I am not a vengeful person, I was only forced to follow that path because of what those people put me through," Kathleen explained solemnly.
Who else would know Kathleen’s true nature better than Lauren who had been friends with her since childhood.
She knew that Kathleen had always been a kind hearted soul who would not hold grudges against anyone than necessary and strove to live in peace with everyone.
"Can I be frank with you, my dear friend?"
"Mm-hmm," Kathleen nodded her consent.
Lauren adjusted her seat and earned a curious look from Kathleen.
"I do understood that you were hurt terribly in the past, but i am worried about something else."
Kathleen’s brow rose slightly. "What are you worried about?"
"My worry is that, if revenge against Shawn is not giving you the satisfaction you wanted, why not explore other possibilities instead of hurting yourself more in the process of taking revenge?" Lauren said.
"What exactly is your point?"
"I’ve heard you talk about and celebrate your victory over the Beazell family and I can tell that you are truly satisfied and happy about that, but when it comes to Shawn, it is a different ball game."
"I’m listening," Kathleen said as she waited for Lauren to throw more light on her assumptions.
"What I mean is this," Lauren continued. "Whenever you think you have an edge over him, instead of the joy you think you should derive from that, you always end up suffering more and becoming restless."
"Or am I wrong about that?"
Kathleen slowly shook her head. ’Indeed, Lauren had proved to her once and again that she was the one that understood her the most. She was worthy of being her best friend.
"Is it truly revenge that your soul craves for or for Shawn to finally learn his lessons and change his ways?"
This revelation was too heavy for Kathleen’s mind to handle and she stared at Lauren in a daze.
"You were right when you said you were not a vengeful person, I can attest to that anytime, any day and anywhere. And you were only forced to tow this path, like you said. But..." Lauren paused all of a sudden.
"But what?" Kathleen asked enthusiastically. She was beginning to find it hard to reconcile this current Lauren with her playful friend.
"But have you also considered another angle to the whole thing?" Lauren continued when she confirmed she had the desired result— Kathleen’s undivided attention and unbiased interpretation of the matter.
Kathleen’s brow furrowed in a frown. "What angle?"
"If they didn’t push you out, how would you have reconnected with your parents?"
"I’m sure the first person you would have contacted after you survived the crash would have been Shawn and he would have taken you from the hospital as soon as your condition stabilized."
"Which also means your close interactions with Aunt Elizabeth that led to you reconnecting with your family, wouldn’t have been possible."
"Remember you told me that the Baltimore branch of Wyatt Corps was established just to aid your revenge plan, so the question of meeting them here would not have risen."
"I know, Lauren," Kathleen admitted wholeheartedly. It was an indisputable fact that Kathleen had come to realize in the course of her retrospection long ago.
"That’s why I still tie everything to fate. Everything happened for a purpose and just like I told you before, I have never forgotten what Mr Wallace, the butler of the Hudsons told me that fateful day that I was driven out of my matrimonial home by Joanne and Linda."
"If I remember correctly, he said something about you being led by a light," Lauren summarized.
"God will give you the light to walk on the dark path before you and that light will lead you to your true destiny." That was exactly what he said," Kathleen quoted. "And since then, I have never forgotten those words. They were my motivation in those dark moments of my life."
Kathleen’s expression took on a pensive look and her head bobbed up and down solemnly after some moments.
"Indeed, the path was dark, but at the end of the day, I realized my true destiny. I wasn’t meant to die a poor weak and wretched woman. I was born to be a strong, rich heiress who can stand up for herself and not bow in the midst of adversity, no matter how intense it may be."
"Hmmm," Lauren released a deep sigh. Steering the conversation back to her earlier question, she asked, "So concerning Shawn, what have you decided?"
"If you were in my shoes, what would you have done, my friend?" Kathleen asked in return.
Lauren was taken aback. Why was Kathleen throwing back the question to her, nevertheless she still said,
"You know right from the beginning, I supported every single decision you had to make at each crossroad. Even now I am still standing by your side."
"So?" Kathleen urged.
"What Shawn did in the past was unforgivable. But his actions after you left and after you returned to Baltimore had proven beyond doubt that he has changed and deserves a second chance. He is no longer the proud overbearing president he used to be, that’s when it comes to you of course," Lauren quickly added.
After all, he was still feared and highly respected by all. And not everyone would have gotten away with what Kathleen has been putting Shawn through these few days.
"I believe the fear of losing you crushed his ego and he had reduced himself to nothing just to please you."
Kathleen stared impatiently at Lauren, "Quit beating around the bush and get to the point."
Lauren, who also had a stubborn streak, fired back. "I think you know the answer already, and have already made a decision, Kathleen."
Kathleen snorted and continued to press for a direct answer. "What would you have done?"
"I would forgive him now, of course and start afresh with him," Lauren snapped, finally succumbing to the pressure from Kathleen.
Seeing the mysterious smile on Kathleen’s face, Lauren quickly threw up her two hands.
"But hear me out first," she said.
"Go on, I’m listening," Kathleen said, maintaining the mysterious smile, only this time it became more pronounced as she waited for Lauren’s explanation.
"You have seen his love for the children and his dedication to you even when you made things difficult for him. From what you told me, before he knew you were Director Wyatt’s daughter, he was even willing to throw away a chance to cooperate with Wyatt Corps when he thought Director Wyatt was trying to match him with his daughter through the collaboration. How else would a man show his sincerity towards a woman?"
"So back to you, what have you decided?"
Lauren glared at Kathleen when she refused to wipe the unnerving smile off her face.
"What’s that smile about? I guess I was right when I said you have already made a decision," Lauren smirked.
Kathleen let out a low chuckle. "What do you think?"
"I don’t want to think. I want to hear you say it," Lauren insisted.
There is no way she was going to allow Kathleen wriggle her way out of this. At least as her friend, she deserved to know what was going on in Kathleen’s mind.
"Yes I have forgiven Shawn. I want to start all over with him again," Kathleen eventually confessed. "Are you Ok with that?"
"That’s wonderful news."
They both turned around to the source of the new but familiar voice.
Kathleen glared at her brother who was grinning from ear to ear.
"Jason! How dare you eavesdrop on our conversation? How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough to know that my sweet sister still has a conscience," Jason teased and gave Lauren a polite nod before settling down on the free space beside Kathleen who was still glaring at him.
Kathleen: "seriously?!"
Lauren: "..."
After knowing about the risk Shawn took for his sister yesterday, every inhibition he had against Shawn disappeared last night and he has been praying and hoping that his sister would also let go of the past and move on with a man who could do that for her.
He wanted them to reconcile not just for her but also for the sake of the children who have come to love and cherish Shawn in such a short time of interacting with him. It shows he was a good father that both his sister and her children could be entrusted to.
He had been tempted to hope again last night when he saw her behavior as they waited by the theater but when he thought about it later, he couldn’t help but feel that her concern could have also been borne out of a sense of guilt.
It was possible that she might have felt responsible for Shawn’s predicament and that was why she had been so worried.
