Chapter 25

They were quite comfortable and happy at his place. The duchess and his father often visited his place, and they watched them enjoying horse-riding in his father's stable that now was his own. He started enjoying the company of his siblings who were both friendly and competitive. Herbert finished his university and Liza was still in the last year. They were twins but had their own interests. She was interested in interior decoration and studied designing along with it. He was interested in the technology, so he went for both civil engineering. Both of them loved horse-riding and forced John to join him whenever they stayed there. Johnathan was getting used to the life and his siblings made it more tolerable there for him.

Rosalie's mother returned home after six months now, to her surprise Rosalie started her own bakery and that was quite astounding to her as people do not let you off with such a good place in the town without any effort. She when arrived home she instead of asking her about her health and so directly asked George and Angie about how she secured a place like that. She was sitting right there on the noon when she arrived, and she was not in a good health condition. This inquiry, it, made her sick and she realized that the mask of kindness has come off now. As both of them couldn't answer and said it was a gift to Richard by Johnathan who transferred it to Rosalie. That was what George knew of and that is what he told her. Anne-Marie was now cold to him as she knew he was married to Angie.

Rosalie couldn't just bear her boldness with which she considered herself capable of questioning them about anything on her behalf. So, she interrupted her mother, 'If you want to question about anything, ask me! I am here living and breathing, not a rag doll or puppet to play with!'. It was the first time she heard Rosalie's cold words towards her. She always tried to secure her from coarseness of life, but it was not protection. It was not actually securing her from anything but the truth being revealed. 'I am just tired of you lying to me! And trying to be some humble and kind figure that you actually are not!' grumbled Rosalie. Angie held her by the shoulder to calm her down. She calmed down a little and then Anne asked, 'What have I done to listen to your meaningless complains like that?'. Rosalie felt violated and retorted, 'Meaningless! Oh, is that what all my words and sentiments have been to you! I think so that is the fact! The way you influenced our lives mine, and theirs! Was it not enough to you?'.

She paused for a minute and then continued, 'I reckon not . . .. because if that was the case you would have no audaciousness in your manner today to ask me, an adult about my business from these two! I am the owner of the property and It was a gift that I choose to accept this time because it was gift from a cherished friend!'. Anne-Marie asked her, 'Who was that friend?'. Rosalie lost her patience and said, 'A gift from a friend to another, a parting gift without charge! Is that enough or you would like to peel my skin to find something to manipulate!'. Angie interrupted, 'That is enough, Rosalie! She is your mother, and she has not done anything wrong out of your sole benefit!'. She remarked, 'Sorry Aunt Angie to open up to you about it but even granny was aware of her nature! She did things in my interest, but it was to up her status as a lonely woman supporting her only child! A bogus mask only! She cared only for where her benefit lied. She was sweet to me only to misguide me! And even now in the very minute she cares about is some business I have acquired and not my health! She has forgotten that I am her child!'.

'I would not hear a word from you Rosalie! Just get out of my house both of you! You have been feeding her against me!' she told Angie and George. 'It is not them! It is me who thinks that way now! You were kind to them when they were not a pair and now, they are insufferable to you! How comes mom?'. Anne told her, 'Resort to your room or you are out of this house as well!'. She snappishly answered her, 'IT is my house, and I can get you out legally but thanks to my granny I wouldn't do that! I am leaving and it would give you time to understand the damage you did to me!'. Anne called her, 'Rosalie . . ..!'. She glanced at her with pity and displeasure and gestured with her hand to let her be. Rosalie packed what little belonging she could, along with the diary and some dresses. She left with George and Angie who insisted on her stay at their home. She spends a week there quite comfortably and had a pleasant time there. And on a Sunday in Church when Angie returned to the bakery she met Anne-Marie which was quite not expected. She took her to George's restaurant, and she apologized to them both for what she had done in the past.

Angie was quite the kind to forgive but this time it was with a condition that Anne-Marie apologizes to her daughter. She told her, 'Rosalie has suffered a lot since you left! She loves you and have the heart to forgive you as well! But you must change your manner towards her she needs to trust you! She can stand for herself now as I have seen her grow overs these past months!'. She went to the Scarlet Café which at that time was full of customers. She approached Rosalie who was serving the customers and said to her, 'We need to talk! I mean we could talk if you want to?'. She took her apron off and gestured her to follow her to a table. She sat in front of her facing her directly and firmly. Rosalie was busy but it was not as significant to her to attend to her costumers than her mother.

She was open to anything she had to say to her. And she sighed and said, ' I know I have not been the mother you have looked forward to! I have kept things, crucial ones that have made you irresolute quite frequently! I want to sincerely apologize for that! I am so sorry, and I want to start a new! I am aware that my apology cannot undo the wrongs of my past, but I am ready to correct them from the very moment!'. She shed some tears before she told her, 'I have apologized to Angie and George for what wrong I have done to them! They will forgive me only if you are up to it!'. Rosalie stood up and went back to the counter served a few of the customers. Her mother waited patiently there for an answer, and she received one. Rosalie brought her a pastry, a favorite one that both of them baked at home whenever they desired to celebrate. It was an indication that all was fine between them.

She went back to Angie's home that day and told her about the visit her mother paid to the Scarlet Café. She was extremely pleased and excited to know that all was well. She cuddled her as she couldn't contain her desire. George was happy to learn about the reconciliation between mother and daughter. And now remained only a single matter to attend which Rosalie still couldn't figure out how to cope with. It was of her heart and of Johnathan was now its sole dweller. A week after her mother's and her reconciliation Nora's wedding followed. By then Richard rented a hotel at the Keswick square for the ceremony. It was a grant gathering and everybody was happy to see them together. It was anticipated that Eliot would be the one marrying Nora, but she won a lottery a Crimson fell into her pocket. He was head over heels in love with her. That was quite unbelievable but all of them did, they had to as Nora made them by uniting with him. Richard bought a house just for her in the Keswick town. Nora was just overjoyed by how he attended and satisfied her desires and needs. She was a brilliant wife to him as well and not at all unworthy of his bearing.