The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 220

Although Claire's heart ached, she kept her back straight and her chin up as she followed the guard who was leading her through the halls of the correctional facility where Sandra was being kept with a visitor's pass in hand.

All her life, she never thought that she would come to a place like this for any reason, but here she was.

Eric had wanted to come in with her, but she had refused. She had only let him drive her to the place and asked him to wait outside until she was done. Maybe another time, they could come in together to see Sandra. But for now, she wanted to see Sandra alone. "This way, ma'am," the guard said gruffly, opening a heavy door that groaned on its hinges.

Claire swallowed hard and nodded, stepping inside. Inside was a small room with a table and two chairs bolted to the floor.

"She'll be here shortly," the guard said before stepping out and locking the door behind him.

Claire sat down, her hands folded tightly in her lap. She had rehearsed this moment in her head a hundred times, but now that she was here, every word seemed to escape her.

The door opened again, and Claire's breath caught as Sandra shuffled in, her head bowed and hands cuffed in front of her.

Claire's chest tightened as tears welled in her eyes at the sight of her beautiful daughter looking so thin and pale.

When Sandra finally looked up and met her mother's gaze, her face crumpled. "Mom.." Her voice broke as a sob tore from her throat, and the sound of her mother's palm connecting with her cheeks echoed through the room.

"How could you do this to me?" Claire asked as her tears spilled over. "How could you make me come to see you in a place like this?"

"Sit down"" the guard ordered them.

"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry for everything I've done... for hurting you.

I didn't mean to. I didn't mean to push you!" Sandra cried, tears streaming down her cheeks as they both sat down.

Claire reached across the table, her hands shaking as she gently touched Sandra's face, "No contact," the guard warned Claire harshly, but Claire didn't pull away as she brushed off Sandra's tears.

"I never blamed you for it," Claire said softly, her voice trembling.

"I've forgiven you already."

Sandra shook her head, her sobs making her words barely audible.

"I didn't push you on purpose... I swear. I-"

"I know. I know it was an accident," Claire interrupted gently. Her voice cracked, but she forced herself to keep speaking. "I know you didn't mean to hurt me. And I thank God every day that it happened because it stopped you from doing something far worse. You didn't hurt Evelyn."

you had died, Mom, I wouldn't have been able to live

firm, though her own tears betrayed her. "I'm here. And I came to tell you that it isn't too late for you to

the table. She sniffled and wiped her face with her cuffed hands. "What's the point, Mom? Even if

over," Claire said, leaning closer. Her voice softened but held a note of steel. "You pleaded guilty, and tomorrow, we will find out the duration of your sentence. If you show good behavior,

a shaky breath and looked up at her mother.

smiled through her tears. "And then, Sandra, you'll earn your place back in our lives. And I will be waiting for you out

wonderful woman

You'll show yourself."

I don't think I have it in me

"And about Derek's biological

veins, my good blood runs through your veins, too." She reached out again, her fingers brushing against Sandra's hands. "And goodwill always overcome evil. Always. But only

again, but there was something else there this time-

she wouldn't blame him if he didn't want to

to come see you,

Sandra asked, looking up at

Claire said, and Sandra nodded slowly, her lips pressing into a

you again, Mom. I

aching but full of love. "I hope so, my

I truly do."

Michael?" Sandra

was sentenced to five years

said, and

had thought a lot about Michael, and she knew that she owed him an apology for ruining

everyone that I'm sorry," she said, and Claire

to leave now. We have some shopping to do for Evie's wedding," Claire said, wanting to see Sandra's reaction and be sure that she had changed Thankfully, Sandra's expression didn't change. "Wil. will you come to the court tomorrow?" "Yes. We all will be there," Claire assured her since they had missed the first hearing because she had been in

in here?" Sandra

promised. "And I'll wait for

here when you

soft sigh. No matter how pitiful Sandra's state was, she would rather see her behind bars

Evelyn and her grandchildren while she waited patiently for Sandra to do her time and

courtroom buzzed with low murmurs as people filled the wooden

sat with Eric by her side, her

was next to her, her hands entwined with Derek's. Rayna and Ethan were seated

in by two guards, dressed in a plain gray jumpsuit,

kept her head down, avoiding the stares