A few days later, Mrs. Jennie was finally discharged from the hospital.
That afternoon, she returned home briefly before deciding to go with Nicholas and Cherry to Elian's house.
There was something they needed to do.
They needed to apologize.
The accusations against Elian had gone too far. He had been arrested, mistreated, and forced to suffer for something he hadn't done.
When they arrived at his house, Mrs. Anna welcomed them with a surprised expression.
"Jennie..."
Jennie lowered her gaze.
"We came to speak with Elian."
Mrs. Anna studied them for a moment before stepping aside.
"He's upstairs."
Cherry remained quiet.
Nicholas took a deep breath.
None of them knew how Elian would react.
Mrs. Anna called toward the staircase.
"Elian!"
A few moments later, footsteps could be heard.
Elian slowly walked downstairs.
He looked healthier than he had a few days earlier, but the bruises on his face had not completely disappeared.
The moment he saw who was standing in the living room, he stopped.
His expression immediately changed.
The warmth that had been on his face disappeared.
His eyes became cold as they settled on Nicholas, Jennie, and Cherry.
Nobody spoke.
Nicholas stepped forward.
"Elian..."
Elian's jaw tightened.
"What are you doing here?"
His voice was calm, but the hurt underneath it was impossible to miss.
Jennie looked at him with guilt in her eyes.
"We came to apologize."
Elian remained silent.
Nicholas took a step closer.
"We were wrong about you."
Elian gave a bitter laugh.
"That's all?"
Nicholas lowered his gaze.
"No."
He swallowed.
"We owe you more than an apology."
Elian folded his arms.
"You certainly do."
The room fell silent again.
Cherry looked at him sadly.
She knew how much he had suffered.
And now, standing in front of them, Elian looked like someone who had finally stopped expecting anyone to believe him.
Nicholas took another breath before speaking.
"I accused you of hurting my wife."
Elian's expression remained cold.
"I know."
"I was angry. I was terrified, and I let that anger control me."
Nicholas looked directly at him.
"I was wrong."
Elian said nothing.
Nicholas continued.
"I also allowed the police to keep you there when you repeatedly told everyone you were innocent."
Elian's eyes hardened.
"You didn't just allow it."
Nicholas's voice faltered.
"I know."
"You believed the worst about me."
Elian looked away for a moment.
"You didn't even give me a chance to explain."
Nicholas lowered his head.
"You're right."
Jennie stepped forward carefully.
"Elian..."
He looked at her.
"I owe you an apology too."
Elian's expression softened slightly when he saw the emotion in her eyes.
"I'm sorry you were dragged into something you had nothing to do with."
She paused.
"And I'm sorry you were hurt because of it."
Elian remained silent.
Jennie's eyes filled with tears.
"I know an apology can't undo what happened to you."
Elian looked down.
"No, it can't."
The words were quiet, but they carried weight.
Cherry stepped closer.
"Elian..."
He looked at her.
"My family was wrong about you."
She wiped away a tear.
"I'm sorry."
Elian reached for her hand.
"You don't have to apologize for what they did."
"But I still feel guilty."
He gently squeezed her hand.
"Don't."
Nicholas watched them quietly.
He wanted to say more.
He wanted to tell Elian everything that had been weighing on his mind since Jennie woke up.
But he wasn't ready.
Not yet.
There was still one question he needed answered first.
And Mrs. Anna was the only person who could give him that answer.
Mrs. Anna stepped forward, sensing the tension in the room.
"Elian, let it go."
Elian looked at her.
"Lola..."
"Everyone makes mistakes, especially when emotions are high."
She gently touched his arm.
"What happened was terrible, but holding onto the anger won't change what happened."
Elian let out a long sigh.
"I know."
Mrs. Anna gave him a small smile.
"Good. Now, everyone come inside."
She turned toward the living room.
"Standing at the door arguing isn't going to solve anything."
Nicholas nodded quietly.
"Thank you."
They all walked inside.
Elian sat on one side of the living room while Cherry sat beside him.
Nicholas and Jennie took the seats across from them.
For a moment, the atmosphere was unusually quiet.
Jennie kept glancing at Elian.
There were so many things she wanted to ask him.
Where he was born.
Who his biological parents were.
Whether Mrs. Anna had ever told him anything about his past.
But she couldn't bring herself to ask.
Not yet.
Nicholas was thinking the same thing.
He wanted to ask Elian directly if he knew anything about his biological family.
But after everything that had happened, this wasn't the right time.
They couldn't suddenly walk into his home, apologize for accusing him, and then drop such a life-changing question on him.
So they remained silent.
Elian noticed them exchanging glances.
He frowned slightly.
"Is there something else?"
Jennie immediately shook her head.
"No."
Nicholas nodded.
"Nothing."
Elian studied them for another moment before looking away.
Mrs. Anna returned from the kitchen carrying tea.
"Here."
She placed the cups on the table.
"Everyone should calm down."
Cherry quietly thanked her.
Jennie accepted her cup, her eyes once again drifting toward Elian.
She couldn't stop thinking about the possibility.
What if the boy she had lost all those years ago was sitting right there?
She lowered her gaze, keeping the question buried inside her for now.
Mrs. Anna settled into her chair and looked toward Jennie.
"So, Jennie, how are you feeling now?"
Jennie gave her a small smile.
"I'm feeling much better. The doctors said I just need to rest."
"That's good."
Mrs. Anna nodded.
"You gave everyone quite a scare."
Jennie laughed softly.
"I know. I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize for getting hurt."
Mrs. Anna glanced at Nicholas.
"Has he been taking good care of you?"
Jennie looked at her husband.
"He's been trying."
Nicholas gave a small smile.
"I'm doing my best."
Mrs. Anna nodded approvingly.
"Good. She needs someone looking after her while she recovers."
Cherry smiled faintly.
"I've been helping too."
Mrs. Anna looked at her.
"I know you have."
She reached over and gently squeezed Cherry's hand.
"And you? Are you feeling better?"
"I'm okay."
Mrs. Anna studied her face.
"You're sure?"
Cherry nodded.
"Yes."
"Good."
Mrs. Anna leaned back.
"I'm glad everyone is recovering. The last few weeks have been too stressful for all of you."
Nicholas nodded.
"They certainly have."
They continued talking about ordinary things—the hospital, Jennie's recovery, food, and how much rest she needed.
Nothing unusual was mentioned.
But beneath the casual conversation, both Nicholas and Jennie remained painfully aware of the secret they were carrying.
They kept stealing quiet glances at Elian.
And every time they looked at him, the same question returned.
Could he really be their son?
As everyone continued talking, Elian quietly shifted closer to Cherry.
He gently pulled her toward him, making her look at him in surprise.
"What?"
Elian leaned closer and whispered,
"You look beautiful today."
Cherry's cheeks immediately turned pink.
"Elian..."
He smiled at her reaction.
"What? I'm only telling the truth."
Cherry looked away shyly.
Elian chuckled softly before whispering again,
"Seeing you blush like that is making me want to eat you up."
Cherry's eyes widened.
"Stop teasing me."
She lightly nudged his shoulder.
Elian laughed quietly.
"I can't help it. You're too cute."
Cherry tried to hide her smile as Mrs. Anna continued talking with Nicholas and Jennie, completely unaware of their little exchange.
Elian waited until no one was looking before leaning closer and placing a gentle kiss on Cherry's neck.
Cherry immediately placed her hand against his chest and pushed him back slightly.
"Elian, behave. There are people here."
He smiled innocently.
"Okay, okay."
Cherry gave him a warning look.
Elian chuckled before taking both of her hands in his.
He lifted one of them and pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles.
Cherry's cheeks turned pink again.
"You're impossible."
"I know."
He smiled at her.
"But I missed you."
Cherry tried to hide her smile, but Elian noticed.
"You're smiling."
"I'm not."
"You are."
She gently pulled her hands away from him.
"Just behave."
Elian laughed softly.
"Fine."
Across the room, Mrs. Anna continued chatting with Nicholas and Jennie.
"So, Nicholas, how is the business doing?"
"It's been busy lately," Nicholas replied.
Jennie listened quietly, occasionally joining the conversation.
Cherry glanced toward them before looking back at Elian.
For a moment, everything felt almost normal again.
Then Elian leaned toward her.
"When everyone leaves, I'm stealing you for the rest of the evening."
Cherry raised an eyebrow.
"Stealing me?"
"Yes."
"Where?"
"Anywhere you want."
She smiled.
"You really don't know how to behave."
Elian grinned.
"I behave perfectly when you're not around."
Cherry laughed softly.
Mrs. Anna glanced over at them.
"What are you two whispering about?"
Cherry immediately straightened.
"Nothing!"
Elian calmly picked up his tea.
"Absolutely nothing."
Mrs. Anna narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"That's what I thought."
Cherry covered her smile while Elian quietly chuckled beside her.