THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 412: Are You Gonna Marry That Extremely Handsome Uncle?

Chapter 412: Are You Gonna Marry That Extremely Handsome Uncle?

"But today, I want you all to know that I’ve finally found a way to move on," Lauren said, her words slow and deliberate. "I’ve accepted what happened... and I’ve decided that it’s time to let go of the past and the pain it brings."

There was a collective sigh of relief, the kind that comes from hearing the words everyone had been hoping for and even Steffan’s father, who had been stoic throughout, allowed a small smile to touch his lips.

But Sophia misinterpreting Lauren’s meaning, frowned in disbelief. "Are you gonna marry that extremely handsome uncle?" She suddenly asked, plunging everyone into a stunned silence after the collective gasp that escaped their lips as soon as her words landed. "Huh?"

Although they wanted her to move on, the rest of Steffan’s family unanimously felt it was a bit too soon for her to fall in love with another man just two months after Steffan’s death so, after recovering from her shock, Candace broke the silence with a sharp rebuked.

"Stop spewing nonsense, Sophia. What gave you such a ridiculous idea?"

"But..." Sophia began, sad about her mother’s rebuke.

"There’s no but, darling," Sarah, Syefran’s mother chipped in. "Your aunt Lauren here loves Steffan so much that it would be strange for her to get married to someone else so soon," she explained, more like she was trying to convince herself.

It was too strange for Lauren to come up with such a hasty decision when they all know the depth of her love for Steffan, besides she has never seen any ’handsome uncle’ around Lauren... except George, which of course, was her cousin... It then dawned on her that Sophia didn’t know about the kind of relationship that exists between those two.

"Your grandma is right," David said. "But if Lauren really wants to settle down with someone else... I mean if it will make her happy..." Steffan’s father trailed off as he believed his message has been received.

"Why don’t we let Lauren finish her thoughts before we jump to conclusions," Stanley who was standing near the entrance said.

He’s been casting frequent glances toward the hallway where Steffan waited with an obviously fraying nerves.

"Yeah, let Lauren clarify herself."

"I also think Stanley is right," William Holmes, Lauren’s father said.

Lauren took another deep breath. "Like brother Stanley said, that’s not all... There’s something else... something I need to tell you," she said, her voice cutting through the room like a knife.

A hush fell over the room and all eyes fixed on her.

Steffan’s parents exchanged confused looks, and Candace’s brows furrowed as she leaned forward, sensing the change in Lauren’s tone.

Even Killian, who hadn’t spoken a word since straightened in his seat, his attention fully on his sister.

Lauren hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of the words she was about to speak causing the room to grow more tense,

Steffan’s father leaned in, his eyes narrowing, while Steffan’s mother clutched her necklace, her breath hitching.

Candace’s hand tightened around Sophia’s, and the children quieted, their attention fully on Lauren.

Lauren glanced at Stanley, who gave her a small nod. She turned back to the group, her voice steady but tinged with emotion. "Steffan isn’t gone. He’s alive."

Gasps rippled through the room. Steffan’s mother covered her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief.

His father sat bolt upright, his grip tightening on the armrest. Candace’s eyes filled with tears, her hand flying to her chest as she looked at Lauren in shock. Sophia and Danny stared, their young faces frozen in a mix of confusion and surprise.

"Lauren, what are you saying?" Steffan’s mother managed to choke out, her voice trembling. "We... we buried him. We saw the wreck... the ashes from the burnt body..."

Monica shook her head solemnly, her eyes rimmed red. It took everything within her to hold back the tears from spilling over. She stood up and walked up to her daughter and wrapped an arm around her.

"We fully understand, dear, that you are still distraught with Steffan’s death but you have to let go, like you said. He’s no more. Please accept it and don’t allow yourself waste away with these hallucinations. Please, my baby."

"No, mom. I’m serious. I’m not hallucinating," Lauren argued but they all believed the same as Lauren’s mother.

Tears welled up in Lauren’s eyes as she looked at their pitiful but understanding faces covered with indescribable love.

She wriggled out of her mothers embrace and tried to speak again.

"I know what we all saw. I know what we were told. But it was all a lie. Steffan was taken, not burnt alive."

Candace’s tears were already flowing as walked over. "Sis," she whispered, her voice cracking. "It’s not that we don’t want to believe you, but... How... how is this possible?"

Before Lauren could answer, Stanley stepped forward, his expression somber but resolute. "It’s true," he said. "Lauren is telling the truth and my brother, Steffan, is here with us."

Everyone’s attention now turned to Stanley and while they were still grappling with what to make of his sudden sickness, Stanley looked toward the hallway, giving the signal.

Slowly, Steffan emerged, his face a mask of apprehension.

He stepped into the room, his eyes sweeping over the faces of all his loved ones who uptill now believed he was dead and gone forever.

The first idea on everyone’s mind was to bolt but when they saw Danny suddenly launge at Steffan and didn’t dissolve into a mass of air, bursting out at the other end of the figure, they stopped abruptly.

Steffan’s mother let out a sob, rising from her seat as her husband moved to steady her. "Steffan?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Is it really you?"

Steffan nodded, tears glistening in his eyes. "Mom... Dad..." His voice cracked, the weight of months of captivity and silence finally breaking. "It’s me. I’m alive. I’m not dead."

His mother rushed forward, enveloping him in a tight embrace as sobs wracked her body.

His father followed, pulling them both into a hug, his usually stoic facade since the news of Steffan’s death, crumbling as he clung to his son.

Candace, unable to contain herself, joined them, with Sophia trailing behind, unsure but relieved by the sight of het uncle alive and well.

Steffan held them close, his heart pounding as he felt the warmth of his family around him. It was real. He was finally home.

Lauren’s father stood at a distance, still processing the shock. There was no more space, thus, he couldn’t join in.

When they finally broke the embrace, freeing, he went in for his own hug.

Sophia tugged at her mother’s sleeve, her young voice cutting through the emotional reunion. "Is Uncle Steffan really back?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"Of course," Danny replied with an expression that clearly stated, ’why ask such a dumb question? Isn’t it obvious enough, Big sis?’

Candace nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks as she pulled her children closer. "Yes, sweetie," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Uncle Steffan is back."

Steffan smiled at them, extending a hand, which the children were more than willing to be held in, wrapping their arms around his waist.

Killian, watching from the back, finally allowed a smile to break through his usual guarded expression.

He moved forward, patting Steffan on the shoulder. Steffan’s eyes widened in shock when Killian didn’t stopped there but went on to clasp him in a hug that he couldn’t help but dread would be his last on earth.

"Remember, you’re on probation," a Killian whispered in his ears before releasing him.

Steffan nodded like a robot.

Lauren watched the exchange with a wry smile. She didn’t know why but she felt there was something strange about that hug.

Anyway, today was the happiest day in her life and she didn’t want to dwell on such inconsequentials.

"You’re really back," Lauren whispered, stepping closer to Steffan.

Steffan reached out, pulling her into the embrace. Her presence was a sharp contrast to what he’d felt with her brother.

A smile dangled on his lips as he gazed at Lauren affectionately and a hint of something deeper. "Do you need further confirmation? We can ask everyone to excuse us, you know," he added.

You can’t be serious," Lauren laughed and pushed him away.

"So what really happened?" Candace asked and her brows arched when she saw Steffan, Stanley and Killian exchange looks among themselves.