The Real Heiress's New Family Adored By All novel Chapter 393

Chapter 393 A Lifetime of Misunderstanding

“Mom told me not to blame him. And I never have, not even for a second.

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“I’ve just been scared all these years. I was scared he blamed me. Blamed me for not protecting Mom. Blamed me for making her give up her life to save me.

“Sometimes I think… it should’ve been me who died back then.”

Parents always give everything they have for their kids.

At seven years old, Leighton hadn’t been strong enough to protect Vienne.

He’d lived with regret and guilt for years. He hated how weak and useless he’d been as a child.

He woke up from nightmares all the time, stuck in the same old guilt.

Guilt over not being able to save his mom.

That’s why Leighton rarely went back to Pierce Manor, and hardly visited Celine, Finn, or Chet…

He was scared they’d look at him with blame in their eyes, that they’d judge him for failing her.

He never blamed anyone else for what he’d been through. He only blamed himself. He hated how powerless he was back then.

There were days he truly wished Vienne had lived and he had died instead.

“Leighton, your mom wouldn’t want you to think like this.”

Zora’s heart ached hearing his words.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulled his head down to her shoulder, and patted his back gently.

She did the exact same thing he always did to comfort her when she was upset.

“She fought so hard to save you. She did it all so you could live a good life.”

“She was way stronger than me.” Leighton’s voice shook.

“If she’d left me there, she would’ve made it. She could’ve held on until Dad found her.”

Vienne was a military doctor who’d served on the battlefield. She was tough and knew how to protect herself.

She could’ve saved her own life easily. But she didn’t. She chose to save Leighton.

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Chapter 393 A Lifetime of Misunderstanding

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The pill she’d given him at the end was an emergency dose. It kept him alive long enough for Garrett to rescue him.

Leighton’s eyes turned red.

Vienne could’ve lived. She’d simply chosen to die for him.

“Leighton, you were her whole world.

“She gave up everything to give you a life. It would break her heart to see you hating yourself like this every year.

“And your dad would be so sad too. He already lost your mom. You’re all he has left.

“Do you know why he never saw you after you woke up? Do you know what Walter told me?”

Zora spoke softly, patting his back slowly.

It was late at night, and the hospital room was quiet. Their shadows stretched across the cold floor.

“What did he say?”

Leighton’s voice was rough. His eyes were dark and empty, with no light at all.

He looked like someone lost in the dark with no way out.

“You’re scared he blames you… but Walter says he was scared you blamed him. That’s why he never dared face you.

“He was terrified you hated him.

“He couldn’t stand seeing your body covered in wounds.

“He blames himself for not protecting you and your mom.

“Walter said when you were unconscious, people had to hold Garrett up just to keep him by your bed every day.

“He only hid from you right before you woke up.

“Walter saw him cry so many times, just staring at your injuries.”

They’d both thought the other was mad at them.

Neither of them knew the full truth.

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Chapter 393 A Lifetime of Misunderstanding

Garrett loved Leighton more than anything. He’d spoiled and raised him since he was little.

He never would’ve abandoned Leighton on purpose.

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But seeing his little boy covered head to toe in bandages broke him completely.

He’d lost his wife, and now his beloved son was barely hanging on.

He was swallowed up by regret and guilt.

Leighton had always been a delicate, well-cared-for kid.

But he’d been tortured all night, his body torn and bloody.

Even Garrett, who’d fought in wars and seen countless horrors, couldn’t stand the sight.

It hurt ten times more as a father.

He would’ve taken every bit of that pain and every wound for his family if he could.

Garrett’s eyes always filled with tears.

His hands shook every time he had to sign Leighton’s critical condition papers.

On top of all that, Garrett had been shot too, right near his heart.

Even badly hurt, he still insisted on waiting outside the ICU for Leighton every single day.

Leighton had always thought Garrett hated him for failing Vienne.

Garrett, meanwhile, never knew how to face Leighton.

He felt like he’d failed his wife and his son.

The gap between them just grew bigger and bigger.

Both too scared to talk, neither of them ever sat down to clear things up.

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The Real Heiress’s New Family Adored by All