Chapter 109 Welcome, Matriarch

Chapter 109 Welcome, Matriarch


Third Pov

Susan Lee-Ashford had not expected to step into the Ashford estate again under these circumstances.

The last time she had left, she had convinced herself that distance was the only way to protect herself and her son.

She had been wrong.

The moment she stepped inside, she saw the faces of the people who had once been her family.

Daniel was the first person she noticed.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then he crossed the room.

“Mom.”

The single word carried years of things neither of them had said. Susan opened her arms, and Daniel hugged her tightly.

She held onto him longer than she intended.

Her son was no longer the little boy she had taken away from the Ashford family.

He was a man now. A man who had finally returned to the place he belonged.

“I should have come sooner,” she whispered.

Daniel shook his head. “You're here now.”

Those words almost broke her. Because after everything, after all the years of anger and disappointment, her son still welcomed her.

The entire family and staff members stood in the foyer to welcome her.

It was part of Patricia's directive, according to Rachel Brown, who was also present.

Across the space, Vanessa watched quietly.

Susan noticed the resentment in her eyes and she'd expected it.

James, on the other hand looked uncomfortable, but managed a smile.

The rest of the family members were the kids she barely recognized. Celeste. Lilith.

Rachel spoke up at last. “I apologize for asking everyone to gather again,” she said. “But this was something Patricia specifically requested.”

The room became quiet.

Susan looked at her.

“Before her passing, Patricia left instructions regarding a sealed letter to be delivered on your arrival in the States.”

Her expression softened slightly. “It was a personal letter intended only for you.”

Susan stared at the envelope Rachel handed her. Her name was written on the front in Patricia's handwriting.

For a moment, she could not move. How had Patricia even known she'd return before coming down to Korea?

“Did she tell you what was inside?” Susan asked.

Rachel shook her head. “No. She only told me that it was meant for your eyes alone.”

Susan held the letter tightly. What exactly was in this letter that she didn't say in Korea?

“I need a moment,” Susan said.

Nobody stopped her. Only Daniel led her away to a private space to read the letter.

\---

Susan expected more explanation, more unneeded apology for things she didn't cause.

Instead, the first words on the page made her stop.

Susan,

If you are reading this, then I was unable to say these things to you myself.

Susan lowered her eyes and continued reading.

The letter was not long.

Secrets she knew and decided she'd carry to her grave because she was too ashamed to own it.

She wrote about Edward's death. She wrote about the truth.

“... I overheard James on the phone that night.”

And why she looked the other way to protect the family.

She wrote about Camille and a lost son.

How she convinced herself and James that Camille was dead because she was afraid of Reginald. She called herself a coward.

She asked that if they were truly alive, that they be protected from James and Vanessa and Reginald.

She wrote that she made sure they were met with justice and restored integrity to the Ashford name. She asked her to lead the Ashford family too.

Finally, she asked that when Susan finished reading, she should destroy it and make sure no Ashford ever knew about the things she knew.

Susan did as instructed. She walked to the fireplace and threw the letter in there.

Her hands trembled as she watched it burn.

Just a few weeks ago, they had spent time together in Korea. Now she was gone. Now she'd left her with such great responsibility.

—

When Susan returned to the room, everyone noticed the difference.

Nobody knew what Patricia had written. But they could see that something had changed.

Susan looked around at the family.

“Patricia made many mistakes,” she said calmly. Nobody expected those words. “She spent years trying to protect this family but…” she paused, remembering the instructions.

“... From today onward, there will be changes in this household,” she said.

A silence followed.

Then she turned to Rachel, who she had invited into the room.

“I have appointed Attorney Rachel Brown here as the household secretary. She will oversee family schedules, meetings, and important communications.”

Vanessa suddenly raised an eyebrow. “That seems unnecessary.”

Susan turned toward her. “No. What was unnecessary was allowing important decisions to happen without accountability.”

The room was still.

Vanessa smiled coldly. “You just returned. You don't know how things work here anymore.”

Susan met her gaze. “That is exactly why I returned.”

For the first time, Vanessa had no immediate response.

Susan looked around. “This family has lost too much because people believed they could handle everything alone. That ends now.”

After the meeting, everyone filed out of the room while Vanessa remained.

Susan turned to her. “I assume you have something to say to me.”

Her face lit up with a forced smile. “Nothing much. I just wanted to welcome you as a fellow woman in this household,” she said, rising to her feet. “Welcome home, Matriarch.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

Susan stared at her retreating figure and her expression turned dark. “I'll make sure you pay for what you've done.”

Later, Susan found Daniel alone.

He looked at her questioningly. “What did she write?”

Susan sat beside him and let out a small sigh. “ That b
urden is for me alone to carry.”

She held his hand and squeezed it tight. “I'm happy to be here, son. Now we must decide the future we want.”

“What do we do?”

Susan looked at him. “What you should have been allowed to do from the beginning.”

She paused.

“Reopen your father's case.”