Chapter 9: A Heart Finally at Peace

A week passed quietly after Beatrice resumed painting. For the first time in years, each morning began without anxiety weighing heavily on her heart. Instead of waking up wondering how to gain George's approval, she woke with excitement to finish another painting or spend time with Nathaniel.

It was a peaceful routine.

One she had never experienced in her previous life.

The city slowly adjusted to the news of the Chapman family's future successor, but rumors still appeared almost daily.

"The engagement won't last."

"Beatrice still loves George."

"Nathaniel is only a temporary choice."

Beatrice ignored every headline.

She had stopped allowing strangers to define her happiness.

Early Saturday morning, Nathaniel called.

"Good morning," he greeted warmly.

"I hope I didn't wake you."

"Not at all," Beatrice replied.

"Actually, I've been painting since sunrise."

"Then I have perfect timing."

"Would you like to spend the afternoon somewhere outside the city?"

"Where?"

"It's a surprise."

She laughed softly.

"Alright."

"I'll trust you."

An hour later, Nathaniel arrived at the Layton residence.

Instead of wearing his usual business suit, he appeared in a casual white shirt and dark jeans.

"This is different," Beatrice teased as she climbed into the car.

"I do own clothes besides suits," Nathaniel replied with a grin.

"Most people at the company would never believe it."

Their destination turned out to be a beautiful countryside botanical garden nearly an hour outside the city.

Rows of colorful flowers stretched across rolling hills while small lakes reflected the bright blue sky.

"It's beautiful," Beatrice whispered.

"I discovered this place years ago," Nathaniel explained.

"Whenever work became overwhelming, I'd come here to think."

"No reporters."

"No business meetings."

"Just peace."

"You seem to like peaceful places," Beatrice observed.

"I do."

"Life creates enough noise on its own."

They spent the afternoon walking through flower gardens, crossing small wooden bridges, and feeding ducks near one of the lakes.

At one point they reached a quiet hill overlooking the entire garden.

Nathaniel spread a picnic blanket across the grass.

"You planned all of this?"

"I hoped you'd enjoy it."

"I do."

"Very much."

For several minutes neither of them spoke.

They simply admired the scenery.

Finally Nathaniel broke the silence.

"Can I ask you another question?"

"Of course."

"When people mention George..."

"You never seem angry."

"Why?"

Beatrice looked toward the distant mountains.

"Because anger keeps old wounds alive."

"I spent too much time carrying pain."

"I've decided not to carry it anymore."

"Does that mean you've forgiven him?"

She thought carefully before answering.

"Forgiveness and forgetting aren't the same thing."

"I've chosen to move forward."

"Whether he's forgiven..."

"That's something he'll have to discover himself."

Nathaniel nodded slowly.

"That's a difficult thing to do."

"It wasn't easy."

"But it was necessary."

At that exact moment, inside Chapman Headquarters, George sat alone in his office once again.

His desk remained untouched.

Instead, several old photo albums lay open before him.

He had spent the entire morning looking through photographs from family events spanning nearly fifteen years.

One thing became painfully obvious.

In almost every picture...

Beatrice was somewhere nearby.

Watching him.

Smiling at him.

Supporting him.

He, however, rarely looked in her direction.

"How could I have been so blind?" he whispered.

A gentle knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in."

Mr. Chapman Senior entered carrying two cups of tea.

"I thought you might need a break."

"Thank you, Grandpa."

The elderly man sat opposite him.

"Still searching for answers?"

George nodded.

"I think... I'm beginning to remember another life."

Mr. Chapman Senior remained unusually calm.

"Tell me."

George described everything.

The hospital.

The arguments.

The wedding.

The mysterious feelings of guilt.

When he finally finished, silence filled the office.

"Do you believe I'm losing my mind?" George asked quietly.

The old man looked thoughtfully out the window.

"No."

"I believe life sometimes gives people opportunities to understand their mistakes."

"Whether those memories are dreams or something more..."

"Only you can decide what to do with them."

"If they're real..." George whispered.

"Then I treated her terribly."

"Did you?"

George lowered his head.

"Yes."

"Then perhaps your greatest challenge isn't remembering."

"It's becoming someone worthy of forgiveness."

Those words stayed with George long after his grandfather left.

Meanwhile, at the botanical garden, Nathaniel and Beatrice had reached a small art exhibition featuring local painters.

"You should enter one of your paintings next year," Nathaniel encouraged.

"I'm not sure they're good enough."

"I disagree."

"You're biased."

"Perhaps," Nathaniel admitted with a smile.

"But I still think the world deserves to see your work."

Beatrice laughed.

"You're very persistent."

"Only when I believe in something."

"Or someone."

His words left her unexpectedly speechless.

As the sun began setting, golden light spread across the gardens.

Nathaniel quietly stopped walking.

"Beatrice."

"Yes?"

"I know our engagement began unexpectedly."

"Neither of us planned it."

"But I'd like you to know something."

He looked directly into her eyes.

"I'm willing to wait."

"For what?"

"For the day you truly choose me."

"Not because of duty."

"Not because of family expectations."

"But because your heart wants to."

Emotion filled Beatrice's eyes.

No one had ever offered her that kind of patience.

"Nathaniel..."

"You don't have to answer now," he said gently.

"Take all the time you need."

For the first time since her rebirth...

Beatrice realized something extraordinary.

She wasn't simply escaping her painful past anymore.

She was beginning to build a future.

One based not on obsession...

But on trust.

Far away, standing alone beside the large windows of his office, George watched the evening sunset.

Deep inside his heart, one painful truth finally became impossible to deny.

He hadn't lost Beatrice the day she chose Nathaniel.

He had lost her long before that.

The moment he stopped valuing the love she had freely given him.