Chapter 376: His Mother’s Apology

"I don’t know," Anne Sutton said. "She won’t say."

Nathan Fawcett said, "I’ll go check on her in a bit."

Anne Sutton looked at Nathan Fawcett and said, "So you do care about your mom after all!"

"I’ve never hated her," Nathan Fawcett said. "I know she suffered a lot in her relationship with my dad."

Anne Sutton said, "You can only blame it on there being too many scumbags in the world."

Nathan Fawcett looked at her. "Don’t worry. I’ll be good to you for the rest of my life."

"Alright, that’s enough!" Anne Sutton wasn’t one for sweet talk. "Let’s not talk about the future! Who knows what could happen?"

A hint of regret appeared on Nathan Fawcett’s handsome face. "Anne, you never trust me!"

Even though he said that, he’d been around her long enough to know that was just how she was.

She had seen too many faithless people, so it was understandable that she didn’t trust him.

But he knew he still had a place in her heart!

...

When the work in the kitchen was just about done, Nathan Fawcett left and went upstairs.

Anna Linden was on the phone with Stella Shields.

Stella Shields said, "Auntie, you’re in Westhaven? Would you like to come over for dinner? You took such good care of me before, and my mom really likes you."

"..." Anna Linden said, "I’m heading back tonight."

"How about this afternoon, then!" Stella Shields said. "We could eat early. Would that be okay? Since you’re already here, I’d feel awful if I didn’t treat you to a meal."

Anna Linden glanced at the time, thought for a moment, and nodded. "Alright, then!"

After all, their flight wasn’t until late that night.

They could have dinner before leaving.

Hearing Anna Linden agree, Stella Shields was delighted. "I’ll come pick you up later then."

"Don’t go to all that trouble," Anna Linden said. "Just send the address to Chloe Chase."

"Okay."

...

Once she had finished her call, Nathan Fawcett knocked on the door. Anna Linden looked up to see him in the doorway and asked, "What is it?"

Nathan Fawcett said, "Dinner’s almost ready."

Anna Linden nodded.

Nathan Fawcett said, "I heard you went to see my dad today."

Hearing this, Anna Linden said, "Did Anne Sutton tell you? She really can’t keep anything to herself."

Nathan Fawcett asked, "Are you okay?"

"I’m fine," Anna Linden said. "He’s already dead!"

"..." Nathan Fawcett said, "Let’s go downstairs for dinner. I’ll go down first to help out."

Just as Nathan Fawcett was about to turn, Anna Linden spoke up. "Nathan."

Hearing his mother’s voice, Nathan Fawcett turned back to look at her. She used to call him either ’Nathan Fawcett’ or ’Ethan.’ It was rare for her to call him this.

Anna Linden said, "I’m sorry. I’ve been a terrible mother. You’ve suffered so much all these years."

Nathan Fawcett was stunned to hear his mother’s words.

He looked at Anna Linden, completely at a loss for words.

He looked at her and said, "It’s been alright, really. I know it hasn’t been easy for you. It’s just... even though I want to be Ethan Linden to make you happy, like you asked, I really can’t bear to lose the woman I love!"

If he were with her as Ethan Linden, everyone would have a problem with it.

But if he were to be with Anne Sutton as himself—as Nathan Fawcett—that would be perfectly natural.

Anna Linden looked at him and said, "If you want, you can bring Anne back with you. You can be yourself again. Ethan is gone, and I won’t force you anymore. I was inconsiderate before. I hated your father so much, and I took all that resentment out on you. I was wrong."

Hearing his mother’s words, Nathan Fawcett said, "I’m going to go help now."

He went downstairs and stood at the foot of the staircase, unmoving for a long while. Thinking back on Anna Linden’s words, it all felt a bit surreal.

’Are those really words my mother could say?’

’She was never like this in the past!’

Anne Sutton brought out a dish, looked over at Nathan Fawcett, and saw him standing there in a daze. "Did you talk to your mom?" she asked.

"I did," Nathan Fawcett said as he walked over. "Let me help you!"

He stood to the side, looking clumsy and unsure of how to help.

Anne Sutton looked at him. "What’s wrong with you? You’re acting strange. Where’s Caleb Summers?"

"He ate and then went back to sleep," Nathan Fawcett said. "He’s probably in his room right now."

"Well, send him a text and tell him to come down and eat."

Just as Anne Sutton was about to turn away, Nathan Fawcett grabbed her arm.

Anne Sutton looked at him. "What is it?"

Nathan Fawcett’s eyes were shining, still tinged with disbelief. "My mom said she’s sorry. She said she won’t make me be Ethan Linden anymore... she’s going to let me be Nathan Fawcett, and she’s going to let me be with you!"

"..." Hearing this, Anne Sutton smiled a little. "Well, that’s great, isn’t it?"

Nathan Fawcett said, "It just feels a little surreal."

Anne Sutton reached out and pinched him. "Feel real now?"

Nathan Fawcett looked at her. "You really didn’t hold back."

"I went easy on you."

Nathan Fawcett asked, "Do you think I should go back with her?"

Anne Sutton said, "What do you want to do? If you’d be happy going back, I have no objections. I support you! Nathan, no matter who you are, all that matters is that you’re happy."

She knew this was probably the day he had been waiting for.

Nathan Fawcett reached out, hugged Anne Sutton, and said, "It feels like a dream."

He never dared to believe a day like this would come for him.

He had already made up his mind to leave the Linden Group and never go back.

He had mentally prepared himself for that.

He had even started looking at other companies...

Several good companies wanted to hire him!

He had just been considering his options recently.

He had made all the preparations, assuming his mother would never forgive him.

But for Anne Sutton’s sake, he was willing to endure it all.

He just never expected that he would live to see this day.

...

Anne Sutton said, "You can’t stay in the dark forever. Your luck is bound to turn, right? Just look at me. I used to be so unhappy, but then I met you, didn’t I?"

"..." He looked at her and smiled.

Anne Sutton urged him, "Okay, hurry up and text Caleb Summers. The food will get cold."

By the time Anne Sutton had brought out all the food, Caleb Summers had come downstairs as well.

Anna Linden and Chloe Chase came down together.

The food Anne Sutton made was delicious.

Everyone loved it.

Caleb Summers said, "It feels like a holiday! It’s been so long since I’ve had Sister-in-law’s cooking."

Anne Sutton glanced at him. "If you like it, then eat up. Don’t leave anything behind, otherwise it’ll just get thrown out."

"Can’t we eat the leftovers tonight?"

Anne Sutton said, "I’m planning to go see my sister tonight."

Anna Linden spoke up. "I have to go to the Shields family’s home tonight. Stella Shields invited me over for dinner."

Hearing this, Anne Sutton glanced at Anna Linden. Remembering the relationship between Anna and Stella Shields, Anne simply said, "Okay."

’Whatever, just forget it.’

She knew that no matter what, Anna Linden still liked Stella Shields and hoped to have her as a daughter-in-law.

But it didn’t matter anymore!

She was with Nathan Fawcett now, so she didn’t have to worry about what his mother was thinking.

...

After dinner, Anne Sutton went to visit Sharon Sutton.

Nathan Fawcett didn’t want to go to the Shields family’s home with his mother, so he went with Anne Sutton instead.