After what felt like an eternity, Timothy started to cool off a little. His eyes were puffy from the tears he had shed. Victoria retrieved some tissue paper from her nightstand and used it to dry his tears. She then offered him a bottle of water, but he turned it down. Victoria grasped hold of her son's hands. She convinced him, "You can tell me anything now."
"I screwed up Mom, I screwed up extremely bad," he confessed. Victoria encouraged him to continue by nodding.
“I had a one-night stand with Megan months ago after we had met at a club. She was unique and made me feel things I had never felt for anybody, not even for Alice, who I had believed would be the mother of my children.”
“After what happened, I was cold to her, and we had a quarrel the next morning. A day has never gone by since then that I haven't thought of her. David told me to go after her, apologize, and reconcile things with her, but I refused because I convinced myself to believe that she was exactly like Alice.”
“Megan visited me at work yesterday, she told me she was pregnant with my child. She also gave me the test results, which indicated that she conceived on the night we shared together. However, I accused her of lying and telling her that even if she was, the child wasn't mine. She stormed out of my office in rage after I called her a gold digger and said other awful things.”
“David visited me last night, and I was upset with him for standing up for Megan and being honest with me about how I was holding with the past and refusing to accept my current obligations. After that, I said things to him that I shouldn't have said and he broke off contact with me.”
Victoria quickly brushed away a tear that had just run down Timothy's cheek.
"This morning, I received a package from McKenzie Sans & Co. It was a letter asking for my signature for me to relinquish my parental rights so Megan would have complete custody of the child. Jon made me realize that Megan was an attorney and one of the best and most renowned ones. Sadly for me, family law is one of her specialties so there's no way Jon would win the lawsuit for me if I brought the matter to court.”
Timothy sobbed once again as he continued, "He told me to go visit Megan and beg for her forgiveness, but I guess it's too late. I've harmed her so terribly that I don't think she will ever want to meet me. I've lost her and my child completely."
As Victoria soothed her son for a second time, she had a sorrowful expression on her face. She was delighted to discover that the Timothy she knew had now returned. He became aloof and icy after what Alice did to him. Victoria was pleased that Timothy had realized that not everyone was like Alice that’s only interested in his wealth.
“You must accept responsibility for your acts and make atonement,” Victoria muttered. "You really made a mistake."
“But David hasn't returned any of my calls," He murmured, wondering that he could be this vulnerable and weak.
“David is the one friend you have that I know and trust, and because you hurt him badly, he had every right to respond in that way. Go to him and apologize, and make sure he knows how sorry you are.”
“You mentioned having feelings for Megan when you first met her. Do you still have the same feelings for her, or you are only fascinated by her since she's carrying your child? I understand this is personal, but I want you to be honest with me.”
"I haven't been with anybody else since the night our baby was conceived, and I still have affection for her mom."
Victoria smiled at her son.
"It won't be simple, but I don't want you to give up on her. I'm sure she doesn't want you anywhere near her, but don't you dare give up," she urged, and Timothy nodded.
"I need you to be very patient since it can take some time before she forgives you or before the two of you start getting along."
And all of a sudden, Timothy noticed his mother's beautiful smile and the hint of tears in her eyes. "I can't believe I'm going to have a grandchild."
Timothy looked away from his mother's eyes while amusingly scratching the back of his head.
Victoria laughed at her son's response.
“It will be difficult to keep your father and sisters from the news.”
"You have to remain it a secret mom. Even for a little while, or at least until I sort things out with Megan." Victoria gave a nod.
"Did you say she worked for McKenzie Sans & Co.?"
"Yeah," Timothy responded.
"Lucia always mentioned her when she started working as an intern at that firm," Victoria said with a smile.
"Lucia is interning at McKenzie Sans & Co?" he asked.
"It will keep her occupied before she sits for the upcoming bar examination, your dad worked some connections for her."
"Lucia frequently brings up Megan, saying that she is her role model and that she admires everything about her. As a result, we almost hear about Megan every day in our home."
"You better not tell her how you hurt her, or she'll kick your ass," Victoria warned.
“I appreciate it, Mom," Timothy gave his mum an embrace.
"You're welcome my love, I'm pleased to have my boy back," while kissing his forehead.
“We should head downstairs now, dinner must be ready and I guess your Dad and sisters had already returned."
Dinner was prepared as Victoria had expected, and her husband and daughters had already seated themselves at the table. Lucia was on the verge of digging in.
"It seems my family members are exceptionally hungry tonight. They couldn't even wait for me," Victoria commented as she entered the dining room.
"Lucia was supposed to come to let you know the dinner is ready," Emma defended.
The Father of Timothy, Charles, stood up. He pulled out a chair for his wife and kissed her on the cheek.
Lucia reached for her glass of juice and said to her parents. "You guys should quit being gross."
"What a great surprise, I was delighted when I noticed your car outside I hope everything is going well for you son," Charles said.
Timothy grinned and hugged his father, saying, "Everything is good Dad, I just came to see how you all were doing." He can't judge his dad because he barely ever visits the mansion to see them.
After giving his sisters hugs, Timothy sat down next to Emma in the chair. Victoria offered a brief prayer as they remained hand in hand before starting.
Timothy asked his father as he handed him his wine glass, "So Dad, Where did you go with Emma?"
Emma spoke before Charles could respond.
“I've decided to establish my own company, so we went to look at the office Dad's agent bought for us," Emma declared with pride.
"I have no doubt you'll do fine. I'm happy for you," Timothy grinned.
"Thanks," Emma chuckled.
Emma was absolutely inspired by Art. She has exceptional drawing and painting skills and went to college to prepare for a career in her profession.
Emma came to the conclusion that it was time for her to launch her business after securing a contract to paint a picture for a cosmetics company that ended up serving as the brand's face.
She plans to provide workshop sessions on drawing, painting, and other crafts, produce more paintings for upcoming businesses and designate a portion of her workspace as her gallery, a location where she could sell and display all of her artwork.
"When I was accepted to law school, you never told me you were proud of me," Lucia murmured.
"She's just envious," Emma explained to Timothy.
“So, did you discover the ideal location?" Timothy questioned.
“Yes, we did, but according to your sister, she wants to cover the cost of the office on her own," Charles responded. Timothy turned to face Emma. He was astonished because he knew Emma would never refuse free money.
She retorted, "Don't stare at me that way, Timothy. This is something I want to pursue on my own, but that doesn't mean I'm not open to free money after the official launch of my business," and they all chuckled.
Victoria questioned Lucia, "So how was work today?”
"We have a new case we are working on, and I have been assigned to help Megan with it. I'm actually pretty thrilled about it."
Timothy observed how his sister's eyes glistened when Megan was mentioned. Suddenly, he wanted to talk to Lucia about her.
Emma sighed, "It's so awful how you never stop mentioning her." She said, "Perhaps you ought to tell her that you want to be her best friend.”
"Don't be harsh, Sis. I really admire her and I'm very pleased that I will get to work with her, it's like a dream come true, and she already has a best friend anyway.”
“I didn't know before Tammy was close to Megan,” Lucia said.
"Tammy? Our Cousin?" Timothy asked almost unable to control himself.
“Yes, Tammy came to pick Megan up this morning because she wasn't feeling well and she only spent about four hours in the office."
"Molly, an intern who is also Megan's cousin, informed me that Tammy was Megan's closest friend."
When Timothy heard what Lucia said, his heartbeat quickened. He was unable to help but worry. He held himself back from asking his sister what had happened to Megan. He didn't want to arouse suspicion in them.
Victoria questioned Lucia as if she had read Timothy's thoughts. She asked again, "Megan's not feeling so well?"
Before putting her juice to her lips, Lucia nodded. She drank a little bit before answering her mom.
"Megan works too hard so I guess it's stress, but Molly claimed she had dizzy moments and almost fainted. I hope she gets well quickly," Lucia remarked.