Chapter 253: Dione's Formal Apology
Dione's gesture shocked everyone in the hospital room.
Robert and Mabel stood up awkwardly, wanting to help her up but feeling it was not appropriate.
Stefan frowned too. He knew Dione well—never in her life had she humbled herself like this before anyone.
Cecilia was also stunned.
She leaned against the headboard, looking at Dione bowing so deeply before her, unable to process what was happening for a moment.
"Mom, what’s going on?" Finally, Stefan stepped forward, trying to help her up.
But Dione stubbornly refused to move.
"No, let me finish." Dione maintained her bowing posture, her voice trembling with emotion and guilt.
"Amelia, I should have said 'I am sorry' a long time ago."
Dione lifted her head, her reddened eyes looking directly at Cecilia, tears streaming down uncontrollably.
"It was me—I was foolish! Because of my own past issues, I held huge prejudices against you, against your family. I said so many hurtful things, did so many things to harm you all. I... I was completely out of line!"
As Dione spoke, she remembered the moment Amelia had shielded her from danger. Her chest tightened with pain, and tears flowed even harder.
"I was so self-righteous, causing you and Stefan so much trouble. And in the end, it was you—the person I looked down on more than anyone—who saved me without holding grudges, risking your own life... This life of mine, you gave it to me. I have no dignity left to stand before you."
"Amelia, I am not asking for your forgiveness, because I know the terrible things I did do not deserve to be forgiven. I just want to formally apologize to you today, in front of you and your parents. I was wrong. I truly know I was wrong."
Dione's words were sincere and heartfelt, without a trace of pretense. She truly regretted it and felt genuinely ashamed of her past actions.
Cecilia watched her quietly, her heart a mix of emotions.
To say she did not care would be a lie.
Dione's cutting remarks in the past, those condescending looks—they had all pierced her like needles. She could not just let bygones be bygones with a smile.
But looking at this middle-aged woman crying like a child before her, having completely set aside all dignity and pride, the resentment in her heart somehow did not seem so important anymore.
Besides, she was Stefan's mother.
She could not bear to put Stefan in a difficult position between them.
Moreover, saving her was not purely instinctive—there was also rational consideration involved. If something had really happened to Dione at her restaurant, regardless of who was responsible, "Martinez's Diner," a brand just getting started, would have faced complete disaster. She could not let her parents' hard work go to waste.
"Please... get up." Cecilia finally spoke, her voice still somewhat weak. "It’s in the past now."
That one phrase already showed her attitude.
Stefan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly helped Dione up.
But Dione was not ready to let it go. She took out a small velvet box from her own bag and held it out to Cecilia.
"Amelia, this is the bracelet the Hensley family passes down to future daughters-in-law. Stefan's grandmother left it behind. Before... before, I was foolish, always thinking you were not worthy of it. Now I realize it is the Hensley family who is not worthy of you." She opened the box, revealing an emerald bracelet of the finest quality, completely deep green.
"Today, I am giving you this bracelet. From now on, you, Amelia, are the daughter-in-law I recognize, the future matriarch of the Hensley family. If you are willing... from now on, just like Stefan, call me 'Mom,' okay?"
She looked at Cecilia with anticipation, her eyes full of nervousness and anxiety.
Everyone's eyes in the room focused on Cecilia.
Robert and Mabel rubbed their hands together excitedly—of course, they hoped Amelia would gain complete acceptance from her in-laws.
Stefan also looked at Cecilia gently, his eyes full of encouragement. He knew this was equally significant for Cecilia.
Cecilia looked at the priceless bracelet, then at Dione's face filled with sincerity, and fell silent for a moment.
In her previous life, until her death, she had never received even a shred of recognition from her in-laws, never felt a bit of warmth from her elders.
And now, this recognition and family affection she had once desperately sought was right before her.
Her eyes grew moist, too.
Cecilia slowly extended her uninjured right hand.
Seeing this, Dione was overjoyed and carefully placed the emerald bracelet on Cecilia's wrist.
It fit perfectly, the smooth stone against her skin, refreshing to the touch.
"Mom."
Cecilia looked at Dione and called out softly.
The voice was quiet, but like a warm current, it instantly flooded into Dione's heart.
Dione responded excitedly over and over, tears falling once again. This time, there were tears of joy.
She grabbed Cecilia's hand, so moved she did not know what to say, just kept repeating, "My dear, my dear..."
A harrowing ordeal had finally reached a happy ending in a way no one had expected.
The two families, because of this accident, had completely set aside all barriers and truly become one.
The atmosphere in the room was warm and touching.
Just then, a nurse walked in carrying a bouquet of vivid red roses.
"Excuse me, who is Ms. Martinez?"
"I am," Cecilia answered.
"These flowers are for you. Someone just dropped them off at the front desk." The nurse handed them over.
Stefan took the flowers, frowning. "Who sent them?"
"No name was left, and there is no card." The nurse shook her head and left.
Stefan looked at the bouquet in full, almost provocative bloom, and his expression instantly turned cold.
Cecilia saw them too, and her heart sank.
Others might not know, but she and Stefan both understood—this overwhelming red was Rufus's calling card.
He had actually managed to infiltrate the hospital!
Stefan sneered and, without a word, carried the bouquet out of the room.
He was not gone long. When he returned, his hands were empty.
"Do not accept anything from unknown sources from now on," he ordered the bodyguards at the door coldly.
"Yes, Mr. Hensley."
The warm atmosphere in the room had been dampened considerably by this little episode. A shadow fell over Cecilia's heart, too.
Though it was a small incident, it made her realize something more deeply.
That is... as long as Rufus refused to let go, she and those around her would never have peace!
Rufus, this menace, had to find a way to be dealt with!