Chapter 135
Undo Mistakes.
Serena understood that forgiveness belonged to Nathaniel and Bianca. But she also lived with the consequences.
She still had her reservations, but for the children, and for Nathaniel’s newfound partnership with his grandfather, she was willing to see whether this old general would truly change for the better.
After their talk with Norman, the old man asked to speak with Bianca alone. Bianca had also requested time alone with him.
Serena and Nathaniel stepped out of the study, only to linger by the door.
They heard muffled cries, a trace of tension, and long stretches of silence. Nathaniel nearly barged in, but then they heard Bianca’s voice.
She was fine. She was simply letting out years of disappointment, especially over how she had lost her husband.
Serena turned to Nathaniel and saw how his body stiffened. His jaw was clenched, and he was taking slow, deliberate breaths.
Her gaze dropped to his hands. They were balled into tight fists.
Her heart ached for him, and without thinking, she reached for his hand.
Nathaniel was startled at first. He almost pulled away, but after a second, he smiled faintly and took her hand, their fingers intertwining.
Strangely, it felt right, like nothing was wrong, and that was exactly where she belonged.
Serena thought it wasn’t the time to lay boundaries between them. She wanted to offer him comfort, even in the slightest form.
“I think Bianca will be fine,” Serena said softly.
Nathaniel nodded. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it casually, as if nothing had truly changed between them.
The gesture was gentle and warm, sending a shiver through her. Serena felt her cheeks heat up.
“I know,” he said. He lowered his hand, still holding hers.
Meanwhile, inside the study, Bianca was crying her heart out.
“If only you had helped us back then,” she said. “Neal might still be alive p>
“I know,” Norman said, wiping at his eyes. “But I swear, I never knew you and Neal
were in such a predicament. After you tried to contact me, my stepson never told me. He hid everything from me p>
“I wish,” Bianca said without hesitation, voicing the one thing her heart still clung to,
“I wish there were a way to bring Neal back p>
“But we both know I can’t,” Norman said hoarsely.
The words looked like they cost him everything. “If I could trade my life for his, I would. But I can’t p>
“You and Nathan don’t have to forgive me p>
“I won’t ask for forgiveness. I’ll live with what I failed to be. All I ask is the chance to show my regret through what I do next p>
“Additionally,” Norman continued quietly, “what I can do is make sure Neal is remembered by his name, not by what I once refused to see p>
He swallowed.
“Greyhold Fort will be renamed. It was meant to honor my name, but I’ve requested the president to name it after Neal,” the general said. “It will be called Fort Neal Collins p>
“As you know, the land on which Greyhold base stands is registered under my name, which gives me full authority to do this, That same land has now been transferred to Nathan. The formal documents will be issued shortly, and once the name is changed, the military will have no grounds to reverse it p>
Norman cleared his throat and added, “I have also transferred all my other properties to Nathan. My stepson and his family won’t receive a single cent, not after what they did p>
“The base’s new designation will be announced at a closed ceremony. There’s no definite date yet, but of course, you and Nathan must be
there, Norman said. “I’ll informe.
Nathan once it’s scheduled, but it won’t be before my stepson returns from his extended vacation p>
Bianca still didn’t know how to feel about it.
It didn’t bring Neal back.
But Neal had been gone for many years. Bianca had learned to live with the pain, even if it never truly faded. Victor’s imprisonment, and later, his death, had given her
a measure of closure.
She drew a quiet breath.
Moving forward was the only choice left.
“I won’t refuse the efforts you’re making to account for the past,” Bianca said slowly.
“Nathan and I have already talked about this p>
She paused, then added, “But there is one more thing p>
Bianca met his gaze. “Nathan and Serena separated because of me, my selfish
thirst for revenge, and because of what Victor did to all of us p>
“If there’s any way you can help us undo our own mistakes toward Serena She
hesitated. “In any way at all, I would be grateful p>
Of course, Norman already knew
what Bianca was referring to. Nathaniel had made it clear that his primary reason for accepting the general’s offer was to gain leverage over the Montgomerys. Still, Norman was willing to accept any reason. As long as it was Nathaniel.
“Don’t worry,” Norman assured her. “Nathan and I have already discussed this. It was part of his conditions before taking over my assets. I don’t know if our plans will work, but it will certainly make the Vanders appreciate Nathan’s connection with me p>
He tapped Bianca’s shoulder gently. “Trust me. Be patient p>
Bianca didn’t know what the retired general and Nathaniel had agreed on, only that Norman’s confidence made the waiting feel less uncertain.