Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2852

Evelyn stood there, her face pale and ashen. The evening light fell across her features, casting a cold, severe shadow that made her look even more distant.

It was only the first day, and Sylvia was already giving her the cold shoulder. Evelyn could sense that Sylvia was probably already thinking of ways to drive her out.

But Evelyn had no intention of leaving. She had been here first—why should she be the one to go?

A sob caught in her throat. She tilted her head back, forcing back her tears, took a deep breath, and turned to head back inside.

As soon as she stepped into the house, she heard two maids fussing over Sylvia.

“Miss, the kitchen has prepared a braised bird's nest soup, the finest. Do you like it? If not, we can change the soup right away.”

“Miss, would you prefer the spotted grouper steamed or braised? Old Mr. Quintin asked us to check with you.”

“Miss, do you usually prefer sweeter flavors or something spicier? Just let us know, and we’ll make sure your meals suit your taste from now on.”

...

A wave of cold bitterness swept through Evelyn. She hated how the Quintin family staff always knew how to curry favor with whoever was in charge.

*

Old Mr. Quintin had the kitchen prepare a lavish spread for dinner, and that evening, everyone gathered around the table in a warm, lively atmosphere.

As soon as they sat down, Old Mr. Quintin poured a glass of wine. “This first toast is for Gabriel, and for everyone here. Without your help, Georgia and I would never have found Nana.”

Georgia stood as well. “I want to thank all of you, too. You’ve helped fulfill a wish I’ve carried for twenty years. For two decades, I haven’t had a single restful night’s sleep, never a day where I didn’t wonder where my Nana was, or if I’d ever see her again in this lifetime.”

Her voice grew thick with emotion. “Today, I can finally feel at peace.”

Aside from Old Mr. Jarvis and Old Mr. Quintin, everyone else at the table also stood and raised their glasses.

“Congratulations, Georgia!”

“Congratulations, Mentor!”

Sylvia nodded with a smile. “It’s a little better now, but I don’t really like them anymore.”

Old Mr. Quintin nodded slowly, but his eyes grew misty with tears. His hand, as he served Sylvia, trembled. In a hoarse voice, he said, “Nana, your grandfather is so sorry. If I hadn’t held your mother back from arguing that day, you wouldn’t have been taken away—and it’s been twenty years since then.”

Old Mr. Quintin bowed his head, tears streaming down his face. The words he’d kept buried in his heart for so many years were finally spoken.

The guilt that had tormented him for so long found a measure of relief in Nana’s presence.

Everyone else fell silent, the weight of Old Mr. Quintin’s remorse and sorrow heavy in the room.

Sylvia felt a lump in her throat. She quietly reached out and gently held Old Mr. Quintin’s trembling arm. In a soft voice, she said, “I’ve never blamed anyone. Even now, I hold no resentment. I should thank you for never giving up on looking for me.”

Georgia, seated at Old Mr. Quintin’s left, handed him a napkin. “It’s all in the past now. Let’s not talk about it anymore.”

Old Mr. Quintin nodded, choking back a sob. “All the suffering Nana’s endured—I’ll make it up to her for the rest of my life.”