A Wedding Night Gone Terribly Wrong novel Chapter 319

"Mommy!"

"Hey, slow down, you're going to trip," Winifred smiled, scooping her up.

*Smack!* A soft, sticky kiss landed right on Winifred's forehead. "Mommy!"

"Yes, sweetie."

Annelise looked at her with wide, perceptive eyes, then wrapped her little arms tightly around Winifred's neck and rested her head on her shoulder.

Carrying Annelise, Winifred walked over to Seth.

He had already stood up, his small hands resting neatly at his sides.

"Mom," he greeted, always serious and perfectly polite.

Winifred crouched down to his eye level. She shifted Annelise to sit on her knee, supporting her with one arm, and used her free hand to gently cup Seth's cheek.

"Buddy, Mom needs to talk to you both about something."

"Go ahead. We're listening," Seth said.

Tears welled in Winifred's eyes. "I want to talk to you about your dad... I... I am so sorry for what happened..."

For their entire lives, the only father figure they had ever known was Quentin Adams. And that man had inflicted nothing but deep, emotional scars.

"It wasn't your fault, Mom," Seth said, his small shoulders tensing.

Annelise tilted her head, noticing the tears. She gasped. "Mommy, are you crying?"

"Waaaah... Mommy, don't cry! Don't cry! I won't ask for Daddy ever again! I promise I won't ever throw a tantrum about him again!"

Annelise started sobbing, wriggling off Winifred's lap and hitting the floor.

Crying her eyes out, the little girl sprinted over to her small table, grabbed a box of tissues, and ran back. Tears were flying off her face as she frantically pulled out tissues to wipe Winifred's cheeks.

"Please don't cry, Mommy... waaaah!"

Winifred's heart shattered into a million pieces. She pulled her daughter into a fierce hug.

"I am so sorry! I made a terrible mistake a long time ago, and because of me, you two have had to endure so much cruelty and rejection..."

"Don't say that, Mom. It's not your fault!" Seth insisted, his tiny fists clenched tight.

Winifred bit her lip, steadying herself.

Annelise threw her arms around Leland's neck and buried her face in his shoulder.

Leland's eyes immediately grew red. "I guess loving you two paid off. Hearing you say that is the best feeling in the world."

Seth maintained his stoic little face. "Daddy."

"Hey, buddy," Leland smiled warmly.

"You have to promise to always treat my mom well."

"I promise. I will love her, protect her, and raise you both right by her side..."

"Ah!"

"Ahhhhhhhh!"

"This is so beautiful! I am literally dying of happiness right now!" Celeste, who had been hiding behind Winifred, finally burst into violent, happy sobs.

Fletcher, who was hiding behind Leland, immediately leaped forward and clamped a hand over her mouth. "Shhhh! Keep it down! Do not ruin the moment!"

"Mmph!" Celeste whined, burying her face into Fletcher's chest to muffle her crying.