Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 1211

Leonard hummed in agreement. "You make a fair point. But Lillian... you're making them apologize to your mother. What about you?"

Lillian blinked, caught off guard. "Me? What about me?"

"After everything they've put you through," Leonard said, his voice dropping into a low, intense cadence, "all the unspeakable things they've done... don't they owe you an apology too?

When do they get on their knees for you?"

A sudden, genuine laugh escaped Lillian's lips. So that was what he was getting at.

"Me? I'm not the one who lost my mind. I'm perfectly sane, and I have absolutely zero need for their apologies.

What good is a sorry anyway?

Even if they threw themselves at my feet, groveled, and begged for my forgiveness...

So what?

Would it undo a single ounce of the trauma they caused?

No.

Everything they've done to me just gave me the absolute freedom to walk away without a shred of guilt. I cut ties with them, cleanly and permanently. From now on, they live their lives, and I live mine.

I don't need them to say they're sorry. Whatever they owe me, I'll carve out of them on my own terms.

Apologies are utterly useless currency.

Why would I ever want one?"

Demanding an apology was something reserved for those who had been stripped of their power, like her mother.

And while Eleanor couldn't fully comprehend the situation, Lillian demanded the ritual purely to give her mother a fleeting sense of comfort and joy.

It was also, quite frankly, a brilliant method of psychological torture for Martin and Sabrina.

Lillian nodded softly.

It was a rare miracle for the notorious workaholic to actually agree to a day off without a fight.

Leonard's face instantly lit up. The dark, predatory edge that had radiated from him earlier completely vanished, replaced by the soft, affectionate demeanor of a devoted puppy.

He nuzzled gently against Lillian's shoulder, practically purring as she ran her fingers lovingly through his hair.

Having unleashed her built-up fury, Lillian was actually in a surprisingly good mood.

"Let's go check on my mother," she suggested softly. "I just hope I didn't frighten her earlier."

Eleanor was used to seeing her daughter calm and gentle. That was probably the first time her mother had ever witnessed her brutally dismantling another human being.

She prayed she hadn't caused her any unnecessary distress.

"Don't worry," Leonard assured her, pressing a kiss to her temple. "I had the staff escort her back to her room immediately. She didn't see a drop of blood."