Reborn From Ashes novel Chapter 470

After dinner, Julia and Anna entered Charlotte's room.

Their usual smiles had vanished, replaced by somber expressions. They sat at the edge of the bed, their moods as low as their spirits.

"Mom, are we really going to give up our freedom and meet those people from the capital?" Julia bit her lip, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, even if we don't want to, do you think Dad will agree to refuse this marriage proposal?" Anna echoed her concern, worry etched all over her face.

Charlotte sighed softly and looked at her daughters. She could even see the tears brimming in their eyes.

As a mother, she felt their pain deeply. She felt helpless, sorrowful, and desperate.

It was as if they could glimpse a future where they'd be reduced to mere tools, stripped of their agency.

"I don't know," Charlotte replied. She continued with a sigh, "But for now, we can only meet them, unless we decide to tear our relationship with your father apart and create an irreparable rift.

"But if we do that, we'll have no choice but to leave. And Lily might never know the truth, and she'll stay here, clueless. By then, it'll be too late to do anything."

Julia's and Anna's hearts ached even more.

Was this really the only path left to them? A forced choice between submission and betrayal?

"Why? If Hayden had agreed to come back, would we have been caught in this mess? He's been with the Sterling family all this time and never once showed any compassion.

"He's so selfish, only thinking of his own gain! If my life is ruined because of this, I swear I'll make Hayden regret it!"

Julia clenched her fists, her pale knuckles standing out starkly. Her delicate frame trembled with rage.

She had placed the blame squarely on Hayden, convinced that if he had just helped her, things wouldn't have reached this point.

"Ugh, I just hope my fiancé isn't a total disaster." Anna seemed resigned, speaking softly.

"He shouldn't be. Your father will have to think carefully. After all, this will be his future son-in-law, so he must have both talent and virtue."

With little energy left to comfort them, Charlotte offered her reassurance, though her tone lacked conviction.

Julia and Anna fell silent, their minds swirling with mixed emotions.