No More Mrs. Forgotten novel Chapter 32

The words were entirely distorted by her heavy sobs.

Adele also cried out, "Mrs. Fletcher, Mr. Fletcher, we are so sorry. Please remember you still have us."

Josiah stepped forward directly. Bypassing formal pleasantries, he embraced Paula with a heavy, aching sorrow. His eyes were fiercely red, and his voice trembled as he said, "Please try not to let the grief consume you. Caleb would be heartbroken to see you like this."

As he spoke, even the knuckles of the hands holding her were shaking faintly.

Those simple words perfectly detonated Paula's fragile emotional state. She completely broke down, wailing openly in his arms.

Josiah's words had been incredibly direct, but they struck right at the core. It was the absolute truth.

If Caleb was looking down on them, he would undoubtedly be utterly heartbroken to see his mother like this.

His statement also caused Sharon and Adele to weep uncontrollably.

Perhaps because she was standing right beside York, seeing her shatter so completely finally prompted him to act. He reached out and pulled Sharon into his arms in a comforting gesture.

In that moment, she couldn't bring herself to care about anything else. The agony in her heart exploded like a massive flood, an unstoppable torrent breaking through a dam. She could only lean weakly against York's chest, her shoulders shaking violently as her tears soaked deep into the fabric of his suit jacket.

Paula cried with gut-wrenching despair, but Josiah didn't let her go. Instead, he held her tightly, just like a son would.

It wasn't until her sobs began to quiet slightly that he spoke again, his voice trembling but remarkably resolute. "From now on, please treat us as your own. We will step in and care for you in Caleb's place. Starting today, if you'll have me, consider me your own son. No matter what you need... please call me first. Anything in my power to solve, I will handle it for you."

Josiah's declaration left the other bystanders somewhat "stunned."

It wasn't that they thought it was inappropriate—in fact, it was the most appropriate thing anyone could do.

It was just that... no one else had thought to step up immediately, offering such a steadfast promise to shoulder a son's responsibilities on Caleb's behalf.

Paula and Reuben naturally understood exactly how much weight the name Josiah Schuyler carried in the Capital these days.

While the agony of losing a son couldn't be magically erased in an instant.

Josiah's on-the-spot "adoption" was undeniably the greatest comfort and anchor Paula could possibly receive right now.

Josiah had always been exactly like this—the sharpest tongue, the softest heart, and fiercely loyal.

He wielded the ruthless, hardcore power of a top-tier elite, yet he possessed an inner tenderness that could completely melt a person down.

Amidst her tears, a faint smile broke through. He was absolutely right; he would always be the one to cut straight to the core of any issue.

Instead of drowning in pathetic, helpless grief, he chose the most direct path: using a binding promise to take on the responsibility.

Caleb might be gone, but the rest of them... every single one of them could step up to care for his parents, bringing them comfort in their old age and seeing them through to the end of their days.

It was the only thing they could do.

Looking at it that way, they weren't entirely helpless. They didn't have to just stand there and drown in the pain.

This realization instantly provided a tiny, comforting sense of balance to the suffocating grief weighing down everyone's hearts.