THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 285: Never Allow Others To See Your Weakness.

"I advised her to apologize to whoever she has wronged sincerely and everything would be fine," Eleanor said.

Cheryl cocked her head to the side and lightly tapped her chin with her forefinger. "Hmmmm! That’s a good one. I hope she takes your advice."

"She will, and everything will be fine." Eleanor stated emphatically.

"I hope so too, dear."

’But life is not that simple my darling,’ Cheryl muttered beneath her breath as she imagined the almighty Joanne Hudson condescending so low as to apologize to anyone. Maybe not in this life.

But again she couldn’t help but wonder who she had offended this time around that made her feel so bad. Was it her son, Shawn? Is that why she was sitting outside instead of being with him in his room?

She was definitely going to give Kathleen a call after now, maybe she would have something interesting to tell her after consulting with Shawn.

"Aunt, are we not going in again?" Eleanor’s impatient voice sounded beside her.

"Of course we will, sweetheart. But your uncle and Elvis are not yet here."

"What is taking them so long? I don’t think I can wait any longer. Daddy should be expecting us by now," Eleanor complained.

"Hold on, let me give your uncle a call," Cheryl coaxed as she started to dial Jason’s number.

"Hey, babe are you missing me already?"

Cheryl smirked at Jason’s remark. "Sorry to burst your bubbles, but I’m not. It’s your niece that is tired of waiting for you guys."

"Poor me," bemoaned Jason. "It’s like I need to work more on my appearance so that you will miss me every second of the day."

Cheryl rolled her eyes. "Can you stop spewing nonsense and tell us where you guys are?"

"We will be with you shortly. We just arrived downstairs."

"We will be waiting for you then," Cheryl said and hung up the phone.

"They are downstairs already and will soon get here," she told Eleanor who was looking up at her expectantly.

"It’s OK. We will only have to wait a little while for them to come."

A few minutes later, they were joined by Elvis and Jason and they all headed into Shawn’s room.

As soon as the door was opened, the two children rushed towards the bed where their father whom they had not seen for days was lying. They suddenly stopped a few feets from his bed.

Shawn, who was equally happy to see them smiled warmly and darted his eyes to the door, but his eyes dimmed a bit when he did not see the person he was looking for, rather it was Jason and surprisingly Ms Moore that stood by the door.

"Mom did not come," Elvis, who had a keen sight said as he saw the fleeting change in their father’s expression.

Resuming his smile, Shawn’s gaze returned back to the children. "You caught me there, young man. But it’s Ok, and I’m very happy to see you here anyway."

He felt like jumping down from the bed and wrapping them up in his hands but he could only reconcile himself to just ruffling their heads as they came closer.

But trust Eleanor, she was not satisfied with just a head rub.

"Daddy, can I sit on the bed?" She said, eyeing the empty space beside her father.

"Eleanor, behave yourself," cautioned Elvis sternly "You don’t have to make dad uncomfortable."

"It’s Ok, Elvis," Shawn smiled indulgently. "She can come sit here. There is even space for two, so if you don’t mind you can also join her."

"Are you sure?" Jason asked as he approached with Cheryl beside him.

"Of course, he is sure," Eleanor answered before her father could say anything. "Please, lend me a hand, Uncle."

"You are so eloquent but can’t even climb up that little height?" Cheryl teased.

"I sure can, but that would mean bumping into daddy, and that will be painful for him," Eleanor gave the perfect excuse.

They all burst out laughing as Jason helped her up.

He caught the longing look in Elvis’s eyes and without waiting for him to ask, lifted the little guy up and placed him directly beside his father.

Elvis looked displeased when he suddenly found himself on the bed unceremoniously. It was too embarrassing. "I could climb up if I wanted to," he complained.

"Does that mean you didn’t want to?" Jason asked, arching an eyebrow. "Then let’s bring you down." He stretched his hand as if to bring Elvis down from the bed.

"No need to stress yourself, Uncle," Elvis reacted too quickly. "Since you have already brought me up, I’d rather stay here," Elvis said in a compromising tone.

"Stop pretending brother, I know you wanted to sit here all along," Eleanor exposed.

"Just thank Uncle Jason for helping you up."

"Whatever. Anyways, thanks Uncle Jason, although I didn’t ask for your help."

"Thanks Uncle Jason," Eleanor also said before turning to her dad who was full of smiles. She placed a wet kiss on his two cheeks.

"That will make you get better fast."

"Thanks, sweetheart," his eyes twinkled in excitement as a warm sensation enveloped his heart.

"How are you doing, President Hudson?" Cheryl asked when the whole drama had died down.

"I’m good and also flattered to have the renowned Ms Moore visit me. To what do I owe this visit?" Shawn asked.

"Well Shawn, let me officially introduce my fiancé to you." An affectionate smile spread over Jason’s face as he hugged Cheryl closer to himself, making the latter blush deeply.

"Nice meeting you, sister in-law," Shawn said, causing Cheryl’s already pink face to turn a deep red.

"What happened to you, Aunt Cheryl? Are you Ok?" Eleanor’s concerned voice broke in on their conversation.

"She is absolutely fine. Just a little too happy," teased Jason, earning himself a sharp nudge from Cheryl.

"Ouch! Jason screamed almost immediately. "Do you want to kill your husband?" He said through gritted teeth in a tone that only Cheryl could hear.

"Are you Ok, Uncle Jason?" Eleanor asked, her expression turning into confusion. ’What’s up with the adults today? One’s face was as red as a tomato while the other suddenly shouted.’

"He’s Ok," responded Cheryl mischievously. "He’s just a little bit too excited."

Shawn couldn’t help but laugh out loud, but clutched his chest in the process. "Forget about them sweetheart."

"You’re sure everything is fine with them?" Eleanor asked, still not convinced.

"Yes dear. Look at them. Do they look like they’re not alright, Elvis?"

"Dad is right, Eleanor," supported Elvis. "Let’s forget about them."

"It’s like you guys don’t need us here anymore. So we have to excuse your little family to bond well."

Without asking for Cheryl’s opinion, Jason dragged her out of the room, leaving an amused Shawn and a befuddled Eleanor staring after them.

Elvis shook his head at his two elders who were always behaving strangely anytime they were together.

"Do you have a mirror dad?" Eleanor asked out of the blues.

Shawn’s forehead creased in a frown. "What do you need a mirror for?"

"I want to carry out a little experiment," Eleanor answered seriously.

"About what?" Even Elvis was confused about what his sister was up to.

"Uncle Jason just said that Aunt Cheryl’s face was red because she was happy. So I want to check if my face is also red."

"But you are not happy now?" Shawn said.

"Not after you tell me a funny joke," Eleanor responded.

"Don’t be foolish Eleanor. Dad is not fully recovered to be running errands for you. Besides, dad can’t even stand up to get you a mirror."

"He doesn’t need to get it himself," Eleanor said thoughtfully.

"Then how do you intend to get the mirror?"

"You of course. Dad will tell you where it is and you go get it for me."

"But after I go down how will I climb up to the bed again?" Elvis asked, unaware of the blunder he had made.

Eleanor’s slender brows furrowed. "But you clearly said you could climb up by yourself when uncle Jason helped you up the other time."

Elvis had an embarrassing smile. "Silly! I was only trying to maintain my dignity."

Eleanor’s already furrowed brow bumped together. "Meaning?"

"Never allow others to see your weakness. Always show them that you are strong, especially as a man," Elvis stated matter of factly.

Shawn: "???"

"Who taught you that?" he asked.

"Mom, of course."

"Your mom? You mean your mom said that to you?" Shawn stared at Elvis in disbelief.

"Mm—hmm," Elvis nodded nonchalantly.

’Oh my God. What has this woman faced that had made her bring these innocent children up this way?’

His former regrets for his past actions set in again and he couldn’t help but curse himself for subjecting her to such treatment in the past.

He vowed to use the rest of his life to atone for his sins. He would treat her as a queen, love her with every fiber in his being and cherish her like no other. And as much as lies within his power, he will make her life heaven on earth.