He Couldn’t Forget, She Wouldn’t Forgive

The Prodigal Daughter Is Back

LAYLA

Ten minutes after my call ended, a white limousine drove into the estate and stopped in front of Bastian's gate. Hazel, her mother, and Rina were stunned to see a car as expensive as that in the estate, and it mesmerized them when it halted in front of their gate. They wondered who that was.

"He is here!" I uttered and confidently walked out of the room with my arms akimbo. This was the last favor I could do for myself since I had lost all my dignity trying to satisfy a man who didn't value me. This was the last bit of self-respect I could obtain, and I would make use of it.

Their faces contorted into confused and shocked lines at my statement, but I never bothered to spare them a glance. "Leonard!" I called as I stepped out of the house. He turned at the echo of my voice, and his perfectly molded lips curled into a perfect smile when he saw me.

"Layla!" He exclaimed with stunned eyes, opening his arms for a hug, and I never hesitated. The fact that Bastian and his family were watching the scene only fueled my energy. I ran into his embrace. The moment his cologne wafted into my nose, an inexplicable relieving sensation coursed through me, and I found myself letting out a deep breath when I didn't plan to.

"What happened to you?" Leonard asked, breaking the hug and twirling me around in a 360 so that he could have a full view of my body. I wasn't surprised that he reacted that way to my look. I had sacrificed more than enough for Bastian and his family, but they never appreciated my effort. Ever since I clung to the man I fell in love with at first sight, I had been growing lean.

"I... There's nothing wrong. Let's go home, Leonard," I muttered, hitting his chest and walking to the other side of the car. We both settled in, and he restarted the engine. "Did you tell Grandfather?" I asked, and he nodded.

With a squinty face, I raised a question: "The old man is still angry with me, right?"

Leonard darted a gaze at me and scoffed. "Any grandparent would be angry with a prodigal granddaughter. His granddaughter left her family's business to become some nonentity housewife," he said.

I expected that. It would be abnormal if he weren't angry. When I insisted on getting married to Bastian three years ago, he told me it meant I had automatically been kicked out of the family, and I agreed without thinking twice...like a fool. Guess who love just taught the cruel part of it? Me! And here I was, crawling back to the same place I left with stubbornness and arrogance. I could only hope that the old man didn't mean his statements three years ago. I hoped he hadn't kicked me out of the family.

Sighing, I adjusted the car seat, rolled my back over, and shut my eyes. I needed to meditate and think of sugar-coated words to say to Grandfather when I got home.

Meanwhile, Bastian and his family couldn't believe their eyes when they saw Layla get into the car. Bastian wrapped his hands in tight fists when she hugged Leonard. His eyes reddened like a burning flame, and the urge to appear in front of Leonard and punch some sense into him sizzled within him. Who was that? Why was she smiling widely when she saw him? He doubted if she had ever smiled so cheekily at him before.

Rina's eyes unintentionally caught Bastian's emotions. She was smart. Without asking, she knew what was going through his mind. He must be feeling jealous and regretting his decision to divorce her.

She decided to play a smarter game. "I didn't think Layla would be brave enough to reveal her infidelity," Rina muttered, her eyes glinting with mischievousness and hatred. She turned her head, and her eyes locked with Bastian's. "Yes! I saw her at the hotel with this man countless times, but I couldn't tell you because I was scared you might not believe me," she added.

"Really! That b***h! I knew she had no good intentions for my son. She was all after our money," Bastian's mother chipped in with hatred-filled eyes. "I am glad you let her go, son. You did the right thing. A bastard like her shouldn't be found in our family."

"I also caught her kissing this man in his car one night," Hazel announced, causing everyone to stare at her. She comprehended what she had just said and chuckled, "Well, I... I didn't want to break my brother's heart. That is why I didn't say anything." She lied expertly, digging nails into her lap to control her shaky body so that she wouldn't get caught.

As expected, Bastian's expression changed from regret to anger. His fists tightened and shook. That was the same wench he almost blamed himself for divorcing seconds ago. He made the right decision after all. She was made for the outside, and he did the right thing by sending her out. She could f**k six men at once for all he cares.

*

"Grandfather, your prodigal granddaughter is back," I announced, sauntering into the Old Flynn's Mansion. I found Grandfather sitting in the living room with a business magazine in his hands. He didn't bother to raise his head despite hearing my voice. He was still angry and wouldn't talk to me.

I looked at Leonard, my cousin, for help, but he shrugged his shoulders and rolled his eyes. He also didn't have any help to render. I was the orchestrator of the whole problem, and I should find the solution too.

With clamped lips, my shoulders dropped as I heaved out loudly. I took quiet steps to where he was seated and stooped to sit beside him.

"I don't want a stranger beside me," he muttered before I could sit, causing me to stand straight. He closed his magazine in a sophisticated way and raised his head. For a second, I was stunned by the aura of command and respect Grandfather was exuding. "Who are you, stranger? How did you get into my house?" He asked, pretending he couldn't recognize me.

I felt bad about that, but I knew I deserved that for being a b***h. I deserted my own family because of Bastian, that bastard, who wasn't even worth a tip of my finger.

Flashing a cheeky smile, I went on my knees and held Grandfather's leg. "I am back home, grandfather. I know you despise me right now, and it is understandable. I am not complaining, and I am ready to do whatever will make you forgive me and take me back as your granddaughter. You know you can never find somebody as beautiful as me," I let out in a child-like tone and manner. That was my first and last trick. Grandfather loved this side of me since I was little, and I hoped that it would work on him again after three years.

For a second, he glanced at me without opening his mouth. Locking eyes with him, I felt embarrassed. It dawned on me how much I had hurt him three years ago. I never thought about his feelings before dumping everything to run after a godforsaken man.

"You promised to do anything?" He repeated my statement. My eyes widened when I heard his voice. He finally broke his silence, and the question made it seem like I had a chance with Grandfather's forgiveness.

"Y...yes!!!" I asserted, nodding and smiling widely.

"Okay! You shall be the CEO of my company," he announced, causing me to gasp.

"What!" I exclaimed. I never expected Grandfather to propose that to me. He knew how much I'd been running from that position. Before I left three years ago, I insisted on working as a secretary in the company.

"Yes, Layla," he confirmed. "Do you have a problem with it?" He inquired.

"Yes... Ah.... No, grandfather," I giggled, scratching the nape of my neck.

Unsmilingly, he said, "I will take that as a yes from you then. You will resume the office on Monday. Get your act together, as I will not condone any form of nonsense from you this time," he mumbled, and I nodded.

"Look who we have here! Mrs. Love at First Sight. The lover girl of the century," my aunt, Beatrice, remarked as she climbed down the stairs.

My stomach churned with irritation the moment I saw her. Why was she here, for God's sake?