<b>Jaina </b>felt a deep grievance, an indescribable mix of hurt and sorrow. Holding the frail woman in front of her, all the injustices she had endured in the past <b>surged </b>forth like a river breaking through a dam.
<b>This </b><b>was </b>her mom–someone she had never dared to dream she could embrace again in this lifetime.
After a moment, Jacob stepped forward with Albert. Following a heartfelt reunion, both men were soon <b>in </b>tears, while Ethel still clung tightly to Jaina’s hand. In her memory, her little girl had been just seven–and now, she was twenty–five.
The images from Jaina’s memories began to sharpen, but her recollections of her mom remained vivid and youthful. The woman had been so full of life, her voice so loud that neighbors could hear her scolding. Yet now, Ethel could barely manage to speak without sounding breathless.
Violet and Carissa stood outside and watched. They dabbed their eyes as they listened to the family reminisce through their tears, feeling both touched and sad<b>. </b>
It turned out that Jacob had always been such a caring brother, and their weak and frail mom had been a force of nature. Jaina had once been a mischievous little girl, much like Violet and Carissa had been at Meadow Ridge.
Carissa also took a moment to receive her appointment letter. She barely had time to nce at it before expressing her gratitude, as Derek hade in person to announce the edict. It was clear the court. session hadn’t yet ended. That could only mean Salvador had exerted his influence over the officials to elevate her to the position of the Mystic Army’smander.
Derek had mentioned wanting to speak with her privately, but Carissa simply arranged for refreshments, wishing to stay a little longer before heading over.
Violet was right–family reunions were beautiful and heart–wrenching, stirring a profound sense of emotion within her. She wiped her tears and watched as Ethel held Jaina tightly.
Carissa felt a pang of envy. She would never be cradled by her mom in that way again.
Turning around, she noticed Helen standing behind her with tears streaming down her face. Gillian stood. beside her, trying to help wipe her tears. The elderly woman was also sobbing softly.
Helen’s heart softened when she saw the tear streaks on her daughter–<b>in</b>w’s <b>face</b>.
She reached out and beckoned Carissa over. “Come here!”
Carissa wiped her tears and stepped forward, allowing Helen to embrace her. “From now on, I’ll be your
mom.”
Carissa was touched, but didn’t dare move as she was half a head taller than her mother–inw.
Since Helen held her head down firmly and was affectionately ruffling her hair, Carissa had no choice but to bend slightly. She leaned against her mother–inw to prevent Helen from standing on her tiptoes.
Standing on tiptoe to be close to someone was an experience Carissa had tried before, and it had felt. awkward. She thought that she would fall at any moment Original content from N?velDrama.Org.
“Mr. Walker is still waiting for me, Mother, I’ll be back shortly,” Carissa said softly.
Helen released Carissa, tears still glistening in her eyes She cradled her daughter–inw’s cheek, marveling at thetter’s delicate, smooth skin. It was almost as beautiful as her own when she was younger, which made Carissa even more precious.
Rafael had good taste.
“Go on, then. I want to watch them a bit longer. Isn’t this even more touching than a y?”
Violet moved closer to Helen and nudged Carissa away. Her voice was choked with emotion as she said<b>, </b>Go on with your business, Cari. I’ll stay with Lady Helen. Just let me lean on your shoulder for a moment. My heart is both touched and heavy. This family shouldn’t have been torn apart. That’s 18 years of separation–years, not just 18 days. It’s so painful. My heart hurts so much.”
“Who can argue with that?” Helen said, embracing Violet and wiping her own tears, inadvertently pushing Gillian aside.
Carissa nced around the room, where Jacon and his family had dried their tears. Jaina was kneeling on the floor, bowing to Albert and Ethel.
A sharp pang struck Carissa’s heart as memories flooded back. She remembered returning from Meadow Ridge upon hearing the news of the deaths of her father and brothers. She had knelt before her mom and sisters–inw in the same way.
The past loomed vividly in her <b>mind</b>. At that time, Carissa had thought losing her father and brothers was the most devastating thing imaginable. Little did she know thatter, even her mom, sisters–inw, nieces, and nephews would be ughtered.
How could she settle for a life confined to the inner household? The situation in Fawnrun City had yet toe to light, and her maternal grandfather and uncles were still in danger.
Carissa truly wanted to be the Mystic Army’smander.