Different emotions filled Darryl when he saw that his mother was not willing to accept her mistake. He knew it would not be easy for her, but he was ready to make her see that she had been in the wrong, no matter the excuse she made. Even if he had to point out her mistake one after the other, he was willing to do it for peace’s sake.
“What about me? You threatened my position at the company because of a girl that feeds you with lies. I have come here countless times to tell you about my feelings, but you refused to listen. I even told you about Vanessa’s disappearance, and you rejoice because she was gone. How can you act like someone with no empathy?” Darryl said angrily, raising his voice.
“Get out!” Mrs Peter yelled at him, causing silence to fall upon the room.
Darryl’s words pierced his mother in the heart and her heart shattered to pieces as she saw the blazing anger in Darryl’s eyes. She did everything because of her family and she would do anything because of her family, even if Darryl didn’t realize it now.
“Mom, calm down and listen to us.” Sophie pleaded as she noticed things had turned out badly.
Initially, making peace was the purpose of Darryl’s and Vanessa’s visit, but the conversation had no peace since they started talking. Sophie believed that everyone present in the living room was adults. Therefore, having a peaceful conversation should not be a problem.
“We understand that you are concerned about the well-being of this family, we all are. But there are certain decisions you’ve made that were hurtful to us and to the people around us.” Sophie said, her tone calm and peaceful as her aim was to create peace and happiness in her family.
Mrs Peter’s shoulder relaxed as she heard Sophie’s explanation, remorse settled on her as she listened to Sophie.
“Let’s use Clara for an example,” Sophie said, flashing Vanessa an apologetic look before shifting her attention back to her mother. “You drove Clara far away because you wanted a peaceful family, right?” She flashed a questioning look at her mother.
“Yes,” Mrs Peter nodded her head as she answered.
“You had a good reason, but your actions hurt Clara and her daughter. If you had spoken to her in a reasonable way, she would understand you and things wouldn’t have become this ugly.” Sophie said, causing everyone to nod their heads in agreement.
“The same goes for Tania. I remember we had a conversation before you invited Tania over. You made it clear to me that you didn’t want Clara’s story to happen again in this family. I understand you, but I don’t support the way you went about it.”
Sophie paused, trying to catch her breath.
“You wrong others while you are trying to protect the people you love. In fact, you are hurting the people you love while you hurt others for their sake.” Sophie said, her voice calm and sad as she pointed out her mother’s mistake.
They didn’t realize Mrs Peter was crying until they heard her sniffling loudly. “How can I make things right?” She said, sobbing softly.
Sophie moved to her mother’s side, her hands wrapped around her shoulders as she consoled her. “I’m glad you realized your mistakes, and you are remorseful about them.” Sophie hushed as she pat her mother’s shoulders.
Darryl’s blazing anger melted completely as he saw his mother sobbing. Gently untangling his intertwined fingers from Vanessa’s hand, he arose from his seat to his mother’s side.
Squatting in front of her, he took her hands in his, squeezing them gently. “I’m sorry for yelling at you, mom. I couldn’t have done that. I understand how far you’ve gone because of this family and I really appreciate you.” He whispered as he fixed his gaze on her.
“But it is time to let things go. It is time to let peace reign. You have to remove that aggressive shield of yours and replace it with a peaceful vest. Please,” Darryl begged, offering her a sympathetic smile.
“I’m sorry,” Mrs Peter sniffled loudly. “I’m sorry for everything I’ve done to hurt you, my child.” She apologized, removing one of her hands from Darryl’s grip. Her palm rested on his cheek as she murmured apologies to him.
“I know you are sorry,” Darryl said as he relaxed into her touch. “But some people don’t know yet, so you have to tell them yourself. You have to apologize to them.” Darryl said, causing Mrs Peter to take her palm away from his face. She released her other hand from his grip, folding both arms against her chest.
Sophie and Darryl exchanged a confused look as their mother changed her attitude. “What is it, mom?” Sophie asked, confusion laced in her voice.
“I don’t remember her being a part of Clara’s family when I sent Clara away,” Mrs Peter said, pointing at Vanessa in a childish way.
“What’s your point?” Sophie asked.
“I don’t owe her an apology,” Mrs Peter said , pouting her lips.
A wary smile played on Vanessa’s lips as she got up from the chair, she moved closer to Mrs Peter, causing Darryl to get up from his previous squatting position.
Squatting in front of Mrs Peter, Vanessa stared into her eyes, her gaze filled with affection and concern. “Since you are my future mother-in-law, I won’t be offended if you deny me an apology. All I want is for you to apologize to my mother because she deserves it. She has been holding on to the day you will apologize to her and I can’t wait to see that day either.” Vanessa said as she drew patterns on Mrs Peter’s palm.”
“You are more reasonable than I am,” Mrs Peter said with a smile on her face.
“You should have come to me before Tania has the cha. I would have accepted you with opened arms.” She said, her tone goofy.
“Are you saying it is too late to accept me now,” Vanessa said, pretending to be hurt by Mrs Peter’s words.
“It is never to late my child. Come here,” she said as she rose from her armchair, pulling Vanessa into a hug.
“I’m sorry for causing you so much pain, forgive me.” Mrs Peter whispered, her voice barely audible.
“it is alright now,” Vanessa replied to her.
The surrounding air changed from being tensed to being calm as peace envelop the members of Darryl’s family. As Mrs Peter pulled out of the hug, she pulled Darryl into a hug, melting into the embrace. She did the same thing with Sophie before they did the final group hug and their giggling echoed through the house.