Chapter 73:
A Surprise Visit from Jade
Valerie’s POV
I settled into the couch, cradling Emily in my arms, feeling grateful for this peaceful evening at home. Damian sat beside me, gently stroking Emily’s soft hair. The doorbell rang, breaking the serenity.
“I’ll get it,” Damian said, rising from the couch.
I heard the door open, followed by laughter and chatter. Damian reappeared, accompanied by a familiar face Jade.
“Jade! Oh my goodness, it’s so great to see you!” I exclaimed, trying to contain my excitement.
Jade rushed over, dropping her bags and enveloping me in a warm hug. “Valerie, congratulations on the baby! I’m so sorry I missed the birth, but I’m back now, and I couldn’t wait to meet Emily.”
Damian smiled, handing Jade a cup of coffee. “We’re glad you’re back. How was Australia?”
Jade took a sip, her eyes sparkling. “Amazing! The beaches, the food, the people everything was just incredible. But I’m glad to be home. And I’ve got tons of goodies for Emily.”
She began unpacking her bags, revealing adorable onesies, toys, and baby books. Emily stirred, sensing the commotion, and Jade cooed over her.
“She’s precious, Valerie. You two did an incredible job,” Jade said, gently touching Emily’s tiny hand.
“We’re still figuring things out,” I laughed. “But we’re loving every minute of it.”
Damian chimed in, “Valerie’s been a rockstar mom. I’m just trying to keep up.”
Jade grinned. “I can imagine. You two were always meant to be parents.”
As we chatted, Jade shared stories of her adventures in Australia snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, exploring the Outback, and trying vegemite on toast.
“Ewww, how was it?” I asked, laughing.
Jade made a face. “Let’s just say it’s an acquired taste.”
Damian chuckled. “You’re brave for trying it.”
We spent the next hour listening to Jade’s tales, laughing and reminiscing about old times.
Then, Jade’s expression turned serious. “I have some news to share. I’m getting married!”
My jaw dropped. “Jade, that’s amazing! Congratulations!”
Damian grinned. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
Jade blushed. “His name is Alex. We met in Australia. He’s wonderful.”
“Tell us more!” I exclaimed.
Jade’s eyes sparkled. “He’s kind, funny, and loves adventure. We met while hiking, and it was like we clicked instantly.”
“That’s amazing,” Damian said. “We can’t wait to meet him.”
Jade smiled. “You’ll love him. And I want you both to be there for the wedding.”
“Of course!” I said, hugging Jade.
As the evening drew to a close, Jade hugged us tight. “Thank you for welcoming me back with open arms. I’ve missed you guys.”
“We’ve missed you too,” I said, smiling.
Damian walked Jade to the door. “We’re happy for you, Jade. Let’s catch up soon.”
As Jade departed, I turned to Damian. “I’m so glad Jade’s back. And getting married!”
Damian chuckled. “Life is full of surprises, isn’t it?”
I nodded, gazing at Emily, who slept peacefully in my arms.
As Jade hugged us goodbye, the doorbell rang again. Damian raised an eyebrow. “Expecting someone else?”
I shook my head. “No.”
Damian opened the door to reveal Claire, my former friend and the woman who had tried to sabotage our relationship.
Claire’s eyes darted between us, filled with a mix of guilt and nervousness. “Valerie, Damian, can I come in?”
I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to confront her.
Damian sensed my unease and stepped forward. “What do you want, Claire? We warned you not to ever come close.”
Claire took a deep breath. “I’ve come to apologize. For everything. Trying to stop your wedding, manipulating Jade…” Her gaze shifted to Jade, who stood frozen, her arms still holding the gifts.
Jade’s expression softened. “Claire, why?”
Claire’s voice trembled. “I was jealous. I thought Damian was the only one who could make Valerie happy, and I wanted that for myself. But I realize now how wrong I was.”
I studied Claire’s face, searching for sincerity.
Damian crossed his arms. “What makes you think we’ll forgive you?”
Claire’s eyes welled up. “I don’t expect forgiveness. But I hope you can understand. I’ve been seeking help, therapy… I’m trying to change.”
Jade spoke up, “Claire, I appreciate your apology. But why did you manipulate me?”
Claire hung her head. “I used you to get close to Valerie, to drive a wedge between her and Damian. It was wrong, and I’m truly sorry.”
I took a deep breath, weighing my options.
“Claire,” I began, “I appreciate your apology. But Damian and I have moved on. We’re happy, and we don’t need your drama in our lives.”
Claire nodded, tears streaming down her face.
“However,” I continued, “I forgive you. But I need you to promise never to come near our home or our family again.”
Claire’s face contorted in a mix of sadness and understanding. “I promise. Thank you for forgiving me, Valerie.”
Damian’s expression remained skeptical, but he nodded.
Jade hugged Claire, a gesture of closure.
As Claire departed, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.
Damian wrapped his arms around me. “You’re strong, Valerie.”
Jade smiled. “And you’ve got amazing friends who care about you.”
I smiled, grateful for my little family and the true friends who stood by us.
As Claire departed, I felt a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Forgiveness, anger, and skepticism wrestled for dominance.
Damian’s gentle voice broke the silence. “You okay, Valerie?”
I nodded, unsure if I was.
Jade stepped forward, her expression thoughtful. “Valerie, that took a lot of courage. Forgiving Claire, I mean.”
I sighed, searching for words. “I don’t know if I’ve fully forgiven her. But I need to move on. For us.” I glanced at Damian and Emily.
Damian’s eyes understood. “We’ll get through this together.”
Jade nodded. “And I’m glad Claire apologized. Closure is important.”
But as we settled back into our evening routine, my mind replayed Claire’s apology. Her words, her tears were they genuine?
In the kitchen, Damian sensed my unease. “Valerie, talk to me.”
“I don’t know if I can truly forgive her,” I admitted, stirring the simmering pasta sauce.
Damian wrapped his arms around me. “You don’t have to. Not today, at least. But you took a step. You acknowledged her apology.”
I turned to face him. “What if she’s just pretending?”
Damian’s expression turned serious. “We’ll be cautious. But Claire seemed sincere. And even if she wasn’t, forgiving her doesn’t mean we’ll let our guard down.”
Jade joined us, her voice soft. “Claire’s apology was a step. But actions speak louder than words. We’ll watch from afar.”
The evening passed with a sense of unease, but also closure. I realized forgiveness wasn’t a one-time event, but a process.
As we put Emily to bed, Damian whispered, “Proud of you, Valerie.”
I smiled, feeling a sense of peace creep in. “Thanks to you and Jade.”
Jade smiled back. “That’s what friends are for.”
Later that night, as Damian and I settled into bed, I couldn’t shake off the thoughts.
“Damian?”
“Yes?”
“Do you think Claire will change?”
Damian’s voice was thoughtful. “I don’t know. But we’ll be prepared either way.”
I nodded, my eyes drifting shut.
The next morning, Jade texted me.
“Hey, how are you feeling?”
“Better,” I replied. “Still processing.”
“That’s understandable,” Jade responded. “Let’s catch up soon.”
I smiled, grateful for friends like Jade.
As the days passed, I reflected on Claire’s apology. Forgiveness was a journey, not a destination.
I realized I forgave Claire not for her sake, but for mine. For our family’s.
With Damian and Emily by my side, I knew we could face whatever came next.
**********
Six months had passed since Claire’s apology, and our lives had transformed. Emily’s giggles filled our home, and Damian’s love continued to envelop me.
One morning, as we sipped coffee together, Damian mentioned, “I need to call the family lawyer today.”
I raised an eyebrow. “About what?”
“The inheritance,” Damian replied. “It’s time I took control of my father’s legacy.”
I nodded, understanding.
The lawyer arrived later that day, bearing documents and a warm smile.
“Damian, your father left everything to you,” the lawyer explained. “The businesses, properties, investments… You’re now one of the wealthiest men in the city.”
Damian’s expression remained calm, but his eyes sparkled.
“I want it all transferred to my name,” Damian instructed. “And ensure Valerie and Emily are protected.”
The lawyer nodded, efficiently handling the paperwork.
As the lawyer departed, Damian wrapped his arms around us.
“We’re set for life,” he whispered.
Tears of joy pricked at the corners of my eyes.
“We already were,” I replied, smiling.
With our financial future secured, we focused on what truly mattered love, family, and happiness.
Emily’s first birthday arrived, and our home overflowed with laughter and loved ones. Jade, now married to Alex, beamed as Emily destroyed her birthday cake.
As the sun set, Damian pulled me close.
“Thank you,” he whispered, “for being my rock, my partner, and my best friend.”
I smiled, my heart full. “Forever and always.”
And so, our happily ever after began.
Epilogue:
Years passed, filled with love, laughter, and adventure. Emily grew into a brilliant, kind-hearted young woman. Damian’s businesses thrived, supporting philanthropic endeavors. Our love continued to flourish.
One evening, as we sat on our porch, watching Emily play, Damian took my hand.
“Valerie, from the moment I met you, I knew you were the one.”
I smiled, my eyes shining. “I knew it too.”
Our love story became a legend, a testament to the power of true love and forgiveness.
The End