Jerome and Colin were both ashamed.

They had been so bewitched by Joanna that they had turned against Natalie, and nothing could sway them.

Thinking back on it now, they realized just how wrong they had been.

"Mom, Natalie is doing better and better now. As long as she's happy, we'll do our best to earn her forgiveness."

Even if she never forgave them, it didn't matter. For the rest of their lives, they only wished for her to be safe and happy.

Colin added, "Mom, don't be too sad. Let's eat dinner first. This year's holiday might not be as festive as before, without fancy gifts or joyful laughter, but this year, we're being real. We're ourselves again, not tempted by Joanna's sweet talk, and we haven't wronged our sister again."

Colin felt a pang of regret. "The gifts Natalie gave us these past two years... we threw them away right in front of her because we thought they were cheap. We're her brothers, but we did things to her that even a stranger wouldn't do. I'm prepared for her to never forgive me."

Wendy was heartbroken. This year, she had prepared an incredibly expensive gift for her daughter, but she knew it could never be delivered.

Her eyes glistened with tears, but it was the holidays, and she didn't want her emotions to affect her two sons.

"Alright, that's enough. Let's eat."

Jerome and Colin managed a smile and lowered their heads to eat.

But even the finest food tasted bland.

They didn't know if their tastes had changed or if it was because there were so few people this year, making the holiday feel less cheerful and luxurious than before, which ruined their appetites.

Wendy sighed softly, finding it hard to swallow the rice in her bowl.

She truly regretted it. She shouldn't have looked down on her own daughter like that.

After dinner.

Wendy asked Colin to look after his older brother while she returned to her room alone.

Inside the closet hung a

champagne-colored gown. It was the dress she had prepared for her daughter, worth a million dollars and adorned with magnificent pearls and gems. It was stunningly beautiful.

The color of the dress was perfect for Natalie. From the day Natalie returned to the Scott family, Wendy hadn't been genuinely kind to her for single day. No wonder she had left, so disappointed and hurt.

Wendy covered her face and wept uncontrollably.

"Bang! Pop!"

Fireworks bloomed in the night sky, a vibrant, colorful tapestry.

Each burst resembled a blossoming flower or a twinkling star, illuminating the dark night.

Wendy stood by the window, her face streaked with tears as the brilliant fireworks lit up the sky.

With a series of crackles and pops, the fireworks shot into the clouds, instantly erupting in a dazzling display that painted the entire city sky with splendid colors.

As the fireworks exploded, Wendy's sobs grew louder.

"Natalie, I'm so sorry. It's my fault, I was so foolish. You wanted my love so badly, but I wouldn't even give you a second glance. Natalie, I'm so, so sorry..."

Wendy's anguished cries were drowned out by the sound of the fireworks and fireworks.

When Colin came to bring his mother a glass of water, he pushed the door open to see her slumped on the floor consumed by grief. His hand, holding the glass, tightened slightly.

He felt a wave of sadness. They all regretted what they had done. He quietly backed

out and stood on the small balcony, pulling out his phone to call Natalie.