"I realized I was wrong. I'm pushing Devan's relationship with Byanca too much. I'm not a good mother, I realize that everything I did to you and Devan was wrong. I was too stubborn, I was wrong for not wanting to listen to what other people had to say, I was guilty of separating you two. I never even cared about my grandson and only hurt you guys. I-I'm sorry. I know, forgiving me is impossible, even so, I will still say this."
"I-I'm not a good mother. I'm too selfish and only think about what I want without caring about others," she added. Seira felt so guilty, she didn't even dare to lift her head and look at the woman in front of her.
Claire froze on the spot, not knowing how to respond.
"I'm sorry," said Mrs. Seira again.
"I know I'm not a good mother. But I promise I will be a good grandmother for my grandson," she added again.
"Madam… What are you saying? Don't apologize like this. You are innocent, you are Devan's Mother, as a Mother, I understand how you feel. You just want to give the best for Devan, I can understand that, madam. You're innocent, and you don't deserve to say that," Claire replied.
Even though she still felt hurt over what Madame Seira had done to her, she could understand all the treatment she had treated her with. Yes, a fellow mother who has a son, understands Mrs. Seira's feelings very well.
"Now, stand up, madam. The floor is very cold, it's not good for your health," added Claire trying to make the middle-aged woman get up from her position.
"No, I will stay here before you forgive me," said Mrs. Seira while shaking her head.
Claire was silent for a while, "Okay, madam. I forgive you," said Claire.
"Now stand up," she added.
But Seira didn't move an inch, the middle-aged woman was still in her position. Reluctant to stand.
"I've forgiven you, madam," said Claire in a soft voice.
"If you had forgiven me, you wouldn't have called me like that," said Mrs. Seira.
Claire was confused by that, "I don't know how to call you, madam."
"Can you call me Mommy?" Seira asked, the middle-aged woman then looked up, looking at her future daughter-in-law with still watery eyes.
"M-Mommy?"
"Right, call me like that," Mrs. Seira replied.
Seeing Madam Seira's gaze on her, Claire fell silent then said, "O-okay Mom. Now stand up. The floor is so cold, I don't want you to catch a cold."
"Then may I hug you?"
Claire smiled, then nodded.
Seeing the woman's response, Mrs. Seira immediately hugged the woman in front of her. "From now on I will treat you as my daughter, my dear. I will protect you, I will not let anyone hurt you, I will not let anyone make you cry, including Devan," Seira whispered.
Claire's heart was warm. Suddenly she felt touched. She didn't know when was the last time she had this feeling. She felt as if she was hugging her mother. Warm and comfortable. She then returned the hug of the middle-aged woman.
"I'm not going to make you worry about me, Mom," Claire said, tears streaming down her cheeks. The fear he had felt before was now gone.
Sierra nodded. The burden she had felt since the day of her son's engagement was now gone. She was very grateful to have Claire as her daughter-in-law. If that woman wasn't in Devan's life, maybe she wouldn't have realized her selfish and stubborn attitude all this time.
Seira nodded, let go of her hand, and stood up. They both smiled.
"It's getting late, now put on your clothes, honey. Choose these dresses," said Mrs. Seira. Then she fell silent as if she was thinking about something.
"No, it's late. Dresses don't suit you," she added and put the dresses down.
"Now, come with me to my room," said Mrs. Seira then pulled Claire's arm out of Devan's room. The woman did not protest and just did everything her future mother-in-law would do to her.
Meeting the Maid in front of Devan's room, Mrs. Seira stopped and said, "Bring the tea to my room," she ordered.
"Okay, madam," replied the Maid.
Seira led Claire to her walk-in closet, took out some new pajamas.
"Choose, I just bought it a few days ago, I haven't worn it at all," said Seira showing some pajamas to Claire.
"Madam, no, I mean, you pick one for me, Mom," Claire replied, still feeling a little awkward.
"Okay, then wear this one, honey," Seira said and took out a peach-colored pajama and gave it to Claire.
"Thank you, mom."
"No problem" Seira replied then walked out of the room.
Right after Claire put on the pajamas, Seira came back into the room, one hand holding a cup of tea.
"Come here honey, sit here, I'll dry your hair," Seira said. "Don't refuse, or I'll say," she added.
Claire who wanted to refuse immediately abandoned her intention. Finally, she chose to approach and obey the middle-aged woman.
Landing her body on the chair right in front of Seira's dressing table, Claire stared at herself intently.
"Here, have a drink and warm yourself up, dear. Your body must be tired and cold too," said Seira as she handed a cup of tea in her hand to Claire. The smell of chamomile tickled her senses and the aroma of the tea managed to relax her mind a bit.
"Relax, I will dry your hair. Remember, you can't turn me down, honey," she added.
Again, Claire took a deep breath. "Okay, and thank you, Mom," she said and accepted the tea.
Seira smiled, she then started to dry Claire's hair, Not only that, but he also gave a simple treatment to her. Try to make her feel comfortable. Perfume and night lotion were also given to Claire.
"It's finished, it turns out that you are very beautiful even without any makeup," said Seira with a smile on her lips, she looked at Claire's face in the mirror.
"Thank you, Mom," Claire replied then took the middle-aged woman's hand that was on her shoulder.
Seira who was still watching Claire's face suddenly remembered something. "Honey, can I ask you a question?"