Rewrite Her Thrilling Life (Lillian and Sebastian) novel Chapter 619

**Chapter 619: Burying the Hatchet**

As Ruby settled herself gracefully into the plush armchair, she reached into her bag and retrieved a beautifully wrapped gift. With a warm smile, she extended it toward Lilian, placing it gently in her palm. “In accordance with our Dracovian traditions,” she explained, her voice filled with enthusiasm, “it is customary for a young girl to receive a gift upon her first visit. I took the liberty of preparing something special just for you.”

Lilian’s cheeks flushed slightly as she accepted the gift, her voice soft yet sincere. “Thank you so much, Ruby.”

Not wanting to be left out, Jared, with a hint of nervousness, pulled out a small package from his jacket. He stepped forward, presenting it to Lilian with a shy smile. “I hope you like this,” he said, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. “I made sure to choose something you would appreciate. Please don’t dislike it.”

With a hint of embarrassment coloring her features, Lilian accepted his offering as well, her heart warming at their thoughtful gestures. “Thank you,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

At that moment, the tranquility of the room was interrupted by the arrival of a lithe figure bursting through the doorway. Dressed in a vibrant blue coat that contrasted sharply with her raven-black boots, she announced her presence with a loud, playful exclamation. “Mom, is the food ready? I’m freezing to death!” With an exaggerated flourish, she tossed her bag onto a nearby cabinet, the sound echoing in the cozy space, and kicked off her shoes with a dramatic flair.

As she lifted her gaze to the living room, her expression shifted abruptly, a mixture of surprise and discomfort crossing her face. “You’re here,” she stated, her voice tinged with an unexpected tension.

Ruby, noticing her daughter’s sudden awkwardness, smiled reassuringly and rose from her seat. She walked over to Ariana, pulling her into a gentle embrace. “Lilian,” Ruby began, her tone earnest and sincere, “I want to take this opportunity to address the past. I know Ariana has made mistakes, and as her aunt, I owe you an apology. I didn’t guide her as I should have, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive her.”

Ariana interjected, her voice rising slightly in protest. “Mom, why are you taking the blame for my actions? It was my fault, and I own it. Please don’t make it seem like Lilian has to forgive me to make things right. That’s not fair to her.”

Foster, leaning back with a knowing smile, chimed in. “I think my sister raises a valid point. After all, you’re putting Lilian in a bit of a bind here. What’s the expectation? Should she forgive or not?”

They stepped into the courtyard, where a blanket of snow transformed the world into a winter wonderland. Ariana, her demeanor shifting to one of earnestness, turned to Lilian. “I really appreciate you, Lilian. Thank you for not holding my past mistakes against me. When you said, ‘let’s not talk about the past,’ it felt like a huge weight was lifted off my chest.”

Ariana’s voice trembled slightly as she continued, “These past few days, every time I reflected on what happened, guilt consumed me. You were right—I don’t deserve to be a Whitmore. I hurt my own family for the sake of an outsider, and you had every right to be angry with me.”

Lilian regarded Ariana with compassion, her voice soothing and steady. “Everyone makes mistakes, Ariana. I won’t lie; I felt a deep anger towards you at one point. Seeing Sebastian hurt made me want to lash out. But as time passed, I learned to let go of that anger.”

Ariana reached out, catching the delicate snowflakes that drifted down from the sky. “Wrong is wrong, and I can only admit that I was foolish. But through those experiences, I’ve come to understand what it means to grow up. In this world, kindness is essential, but foolishness is a luxury we cannot afford—especially not as a member of the Whitmore family.”

In that moment, amidst the falling snow, a bond was forged anew, one that promised hope and understanding for the future.