Chapter 18 What is it now?


    VICTORIA’S POV


    Three years ago, I didn’t meet my parents; now, they are right before my eyes.


    I was selfish. I was too wilful and blinded by love. And that’s what I have been punished for; I was hurt


    by the man I loved the most, and that made me realize nothinges first than family.


    I had no choice but to get down on my knees. At the moment, I don’t care about my surroundings; I


    only know that I am before the people I have missed so much!


    Even before this day, I didn’t realize I had missed them this much.


    I felt mama’s touch on my arms as she stood me up. I looked at her, and the tears in her eyes broke


    me out more.


    I am trembling, and all energy is drowned away. I would have fallen on the road once more if papa


    hadn’t been there to save me.


    “HShh, love, don’t cry.” Papa caressed my head while mama tried to calm me down.


    But I couldn’t stop myself. It was out of my control. I don’t know how to stop myself. In the span of a few


    minutes, I went from being a strong, capabledy to a blubbering wreck.


    ****


    I stood before the billion-dor mansion where I grew up like a princess, with people loving and spoiling


    me.


    All the memories from the past were floating in my mind.


    “Come on, let’s get inside,” Papa said, holding my hand.


    We stepped inside. Every step I took was an emotional ride, pinching every second of what I had


    missed for three long years.


    “Wee back, doll,” James and Maria Dawson greeted me. Even Maria hugged me with emotional


    tears, and I hugged her back too. They are the butlers of the mansion and second parents to Antonio


    and me.


    I took a look at the whole mansion, reliving the best and happiest memories of my life. Everything is the


    same as I left three years ago. Nothing changed except the features of the people who lived here.


    Time and age have caught up with everyone, and I have aged alongside them. Everything is so


    wholesome. Even though I have never appreciated luxury before, I am enjoying it immensely at the


    moment.


    This will be the safest and sweetest ce for my little sweetheart to grow up; I mean the one inside me.


    Thinking I should tell mama and papa about the pregnancy, I watched my parents from the corner of


    my eyes; they seemed very happy, but the worry was also not hidden much. I could sense it. I guess I


    should inform them of my pregnancy, but not just now; that will be after things have settled down a bit...


    Emotionally.


    ****


    My parents are now aware that I am no longer married to Antonio, they found out this during their long


    vacation in Hawaii, and after hearing this news, they immediately returned from there.


    I could not thank them for this. Each time I needed my loved ones beside me, I found them no matter


    what.


    They neverined about my decision. They trusted me and let me do my mind; somewhere, I am


    grateful for that because their support allowed me to explore the people of this world and made me


    mature with time.


    Yet, for the first time, my family was dissatisfied with my decision to live a simple life for Alessandro.


    Especially Papa...


    When I decided to change my surname in order to marry Alessandro, he was very angry. He tried to


    stop me, but I didn’t listen because of my blind foolishness.


    And when I left home, he didn’t even bother to look at me. I was hurt that time without realizing how


    wrong I was. He warned me about the money-minded attitude of people, but I ignored his experience,


    drowning in my idiotic thoughts of fairy tale love. And I was hit back for that.


    My parent didn’t contact me for three years, nor did I try. Now, looking back at the time, I realize my


    mistakes. I realized how lucky I am to have such parents.


    I did make a mistake; I should have contacted them a long ago, but I didn’t. Now that I’m back, they’ve


    Parents are parents, right? No one can beat their love.


    At dinner time, I sat in the huge dining hall with my parents while the servants started serving food.


    The dining area is huge, and in my point of view, this is a waste. Well, I know I am a billionaire heiress,


    but I never believed in wasting money on unnecessaryvish products.


    I always wanted a convenient home filled with family, love, and adoration, but unfortunately, this world


    only values money and fame.


    Looking at the food, I smiled. Maria, of course, made the food of my wish. I can’t me her. Thisdy is


    always after spoiling us with her cooking skills. Even I and Antonio learned cooking from her.


    I also made them sit with us for dinner. I was missing Antonio, but he has to attend back-to-back


    meetings—my poor brother. So much has to sacrifice to be a director of a huge corporation.


    We were eating while mama and papa described Hawaii. Mom even started nning a family vacation


    for us.


    One thing I am grateful for is that none of them once brought up the topic of my divorce.


    I was jerked out of my thoughts when Papa’s phone started ringing. He received it and put it on a


    loudspeaker.


    “Hello,” Papa spoke with his business tone. Cold and firm. Immediately, I felt Antonio over there. They


    say it right, like father, like son.


    “Congrattions, Mr. Edwards.” The opposite person said. “You have taken a 10% equity stake in CM


    for $2.8 billion. You are now thergest shareholder of the whole fashion market!”


    Papa’s face brightened, and I smiled at his happiness.


    “Thank you for the information, Mr. Austin,” Papa replied, hiding his emotion.


    “No problem, sir.” So Papa hung up.


    “Congrattions, papa bear!” I held his hand over the table, and he dropped a kiss on the back of my


    hand. “Thank you, sweetheart. Your presence always brings fortune to this family, my doll.”


    I was about to reply, but a sudden bang on the table startled us. It was mama. She was ring at her


    husband fiercely.


    Uh-oh. This look is always to run for; Papa is in trouble.


    “Wh...what happened, darling?” Papa asked with a hint of fear and confusion in his eyes, and mama


    only rolled her eyes at him.


    “Are you for real, Vincent? Your daughter is finally back, and you’re still talking business on the


    phone?!”


    “Oh, no-no-no! I am not! I swear.” He quickly apologized and turned to me, kissing my hand once


    again. “Forgive Papa, will you?”


    I smiled at the cutest couple. I so admire these two.


    “It’s alright, Papa.” I winked at him, and heughed.


    “Come home and stay with us this time. No one will dare to bully you anymore.” Suddenly Papa said,


    stopping hisugh.


    Mama nodded in agreement. “Your Papa is right. Come home, baby; we missed you.” She sobbed,


    shaking her head. “My Poor baby girl, you have been in sensitive health since you were a child; we


    brought you up with so much care and love.” She sniffed, breaking my heart into pieces.


    “You grew up and fell in love. You even changed yourst name to marry that scum!” Mama’s words


    were like sharp stabs in my heart.


    It ached so bad that how careless I was to hurt them! Fuck!


    Instantly, I rushed beside her and held her hands.


    “I am back now, aren’t I? I will never leave you again.” I wiped her tears and kissed her hands. “I just


    hope you can forgive me for what I did before?”


    I looked at papa with pure regret, and he held my hands. His eyes turned teary, making me gasp out


    loud. I’ve never seen him emotional!


    “Papa...”


    He shook his head. “I am sorry, Princess. I should have called you a long ago. I can’t believe you


    suffered this much. If I didn’t hold my anger... That worthless idiot could never bully you!” He turned


    angry with hisst sentence and then sighed. “I am sorry, my child.”


    I stood up and went beside papa and hugged him, fully crying. I can’t stop my tears anymore.


    “Don’t say that, papa. I am at fault, not you. You have warned me before, but I was too stupid to listen.”


    I sobbed. “I promise I won’t leave you again. I will listen to your words.”


    Let it be known this time; I truly mean what I say.


    That was a very emotional moment for us. Both mama and papa were beside me. Oh, how I wish


    Antonio was here too.


    Mama wiped my tears when my phone started ringing. A little annoying to be the truth for the


    disturbance.


    Maybe, it could be Antonio. But, the moment my eyes fell on the screen, my mood turned off.


    It is none other than my ex-husband! What the fuck he wants now?


    I excused myself from there. I don’t want my parents to see his call, not after this moment.


    I wouldn’t have picked up this call. But just because it was me for whom he ended up in the hospital, I


    am receiving his call. Let’s see what he has to say.


    “What is it now?” I asked in a duh and a little irritated.


    I was taken aback by how distant and unfeeling my voice sounded.


    And his reply stunned me with a need to pinch his handsome sorry face!


    “I miss you, Victoria. Can youe to the hospital and bring me some food? Please...”


    Yeah, that’s what this shameless man said!Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.