Chapter 76 SEVENTY-SIX
The ride was silent, except for Judy occasionally glancing at Brienne, still in couldn't believe that they were here, together again, after everything.
When they arrived, Judy led them inside, her grip tightening on Brienne’s hand. Leah was seated by the window, staring outside in her wheelchair.
On the day of the accident, Leah was driving back to her apartment from a friend's birthday party when she collided with a drunk driver who was killed in the accident while she incurred damages in her legs.
"Leah," Judy called softly.
Leah turned her head, and for a moment, her brows furrowed in confusion. Then, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Brienne?" Leah’s voice wavered, as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. After all, she wasn't a kind sister to Brienne.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Brienne took a step forward.
"It’s me, Leah," she said with a small smile. Tears pooled in Leah’s eyes.
"You came for me?" Leah asked. Without hesitation, Brienne knelt beside her and took her hand.
"Of course, I did. You’re my sister," she replied, tears streaming down her eyes.
"Brienne... I'm sorry!" Leah said and sobbed. "I'm sorry, I wasn't a good sister to you. I'm really sorry," she added.
"Please... forgive me," Leah said as she held Brienne's hands while sobbing loudly. Brienne couldn't help but embrace Leah.
"It's alright, I have forgiven you, Leah," Brienne said while caressing Leah's hair. Judy wiped her eyes watching her sisters cry and cleared her throat.
"I want you to come home with me, Leah. Let me take care of you," Judy said. Leah hesitated.
"Judy... I don't want to be a burden," she said.
"You’re not a burden," Brienne assured her. "We’re family. We take care of each other," she added. Raven, who had been silently watching, finally spoke.
"If you need anything—medical care, therapy, a better home—I'll make sure you have it. Brienne wants this, and that means I do too," he said. Leah looked at them, overwhelmed. Then, with a trembling smile, she nodded.
"Okay... I’ll come home," she replied.
Brienne squeezed her hand, her heart swelling with relief. She didn't think she'd experience this in her life. For the first time in years, she felt whole. Despite the pain of the past, despite everything that had once divided them, they were here now—together.
"We will definitely help," Brienne said.
Judy proceeded with processing Leah’s paperwork, with Raven assisting her, while Brienne stayed by Leah’s side. Together, they went to the garden, enjoying the fresh air and peaceful surroundings.
"Thank you, Brienne," Leah said softly. "You never forgot about us after all we did to you," she added.
Brienne squeezed her hand, offering a reassuring smile. Leah took a deep breath, her voice laced with regret.
"We were so foolish back then. We let our fear and selfishness get the best of us…Afraid that Mom and Dad’s love would be only for you, we acted selfishly and pushed you away. We never once stopped to think about how you felt." She lowered her gaze. "We even sold the house and forced you to leave without hesitation. I’m so sorry, Brienne," she said and touched Brienne's hand.
Brienne’s heart ached at Leah’s words, but there was no resentment left inside her—only love and understanding.
"It's in the past now, Leah," Brienne said gently. "What matters most is that we've reconciled." She smiled warmly.
"And that's all because of you," Leah replied. "You're kind—that’s what Mom always loved about you," she added with a chuckle. Brienne laughed softly as Leah shook her head.
"Meanwhile, she was always scolding us for being troublemakers," Leah admitted. Brienne’s expression turned wistful.
"I always wanted the three of us to be close," she said truthfully. "When I was little, I’d see my classmates bond with their sisters, and I used to wish for that too." She sighed, lost in old memories. Leah’s eyes filled with regret.
"I'm so sorry, Brienne," she whispered, her voice heavy with emotion.
"Oh, it's alright now, Leah," she replied.
Judy and Raven came back with Leah's papers. As they walked out, Raven pushed Leah’s wheelchair and Judy held Brienne’s hand tightly.
"We're going home," Judy said. Brienne realized something.
Family wasn’t just about blood—it was about love, forgiveness, and choosing to stay. And she had finally found hers again.
Brienne and Raven arrived back at the Crescent Stone Pack after ensuring Judy and Leah were settled at home. Before leaving, Brienne promised to visit them again, while Raven instructed his assistant to take note of anything they might need.
As they stepped into their room, Raven wrapped his arms around Brienne from behind, pulling her close.
"Are you happy, my darling?" he asked softly. Brienne smiled, placing her hands over his.
"I am. I'm so happy that the three of us finally reconciled," she replied.
Raven guided her to the bed, sitting down and pulling her onto his lap. He gently ran his fingers through her hair.
"You’re not angry with them?" he asked, studying her face. Brienne sighed.
"No, I was just upset," she admitted. "I kept wondering what was wrong with me—why they would rather push me away instead of being close." She lowered her gaze, recalling the painful memories.
"The worst part was finding out I was adopted only after our parents died," she whispered. "But I couldn't hate them. You know why? They raised me as if I were their own child. I was thankful to them," she added.
"I should thank them too," Raven said, pressing a tender kiss to Brienne’s cheek. "Because they adopted you, I got to meet you." He cupped her face, his eyes filled with adoration.
"My beautiful, kind, and loving Brienne—you deserve the world, and you deserve this."
Before she could react, Raven slowly knelt on one knee, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket. Brienne gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as her heart pounded.
"Thank you for coming into my life," Raven said, his voice filled with emotion. "Thank you for giving me a chance. Thank you for loving me," he added.
With a deep breath, he opened the box, revealing a delicate ring—a white gold band adorned with a brilliant-cut diamond, its facets catching the light like a thousand tiny stars. The setting was simple yet elegant, a perfect reflection of their love—pure, strong, and everlasting.
Brienne’s eyes welled with tears as she gazed at him, overwhelmed.
"Will you marry me, darling?" Raven asked, his voice steady but filled with hope.
"Oh gosh... yes!" Brienne gasped, throwing her arms around Raven in pure joy. "Yes! I will marry you!" she added.
Raven let out a relieved laugh, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. He wiped them away quickly before taking the ring and gently sliding it onto Brienne’s finger. It fit perfectly, as if it had always belonged there.
"I love you," Raven whispered, his voice full of emotion. Brienne cupped his face, her own eyes shining with happiness.
"I love you too," she murmured before pressing her lips to his.
Their kiss was slow and deep, sealing their promise of forever. In that moment, surrounded by love and the warmth of their embrace, Brienne knew—this was the beginning of the life she had always dreamed of.