On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 281

Anthony George placed his hands firmly on Jessica’s shoulders. “Look at me.”

Jessica shook her head, refusing.

“Lift your head and look at me,” he said patiently.

She wiped away a tear.

“You’ve done nothing wrong,” Anthony continued, his voice steady. “Maybe Amy hasn’t either. From the very beginning, the only one in your family who did anything wrong was Lance Smith. He’s the one who didn’t understand the boundaries between a man and a woman. He’s the one who drove a wedge between you and your daughter for half a year. And he’s the one who turned this divorce into a circus, trying to use Amy to manipulate you. He is the only one at fault.”

Jessica stared at him, stunned.

Anthony offered a faint smile. “You have always been a good, devoted mother. No one has the right to judge you, not even yourself. You haven’t failed anyone. Lance failed you, and he failed Amy.”

Silent tears streamed down Jessica’s face. It had been so long… she couldn’t even remember the last time someone had encouraged her like this. Not since her mother died. After that, it felt as if all the storms of the world had conspired to crash down on her alone. She had to face a constant barrage of inexplicable malice from every direction, and for so long, she hadn’t allowed herself a moment of emotional release. For so long, she hadn’t even known what she truly wanted.

Without her mother, she had to be the strong one, the adult who could handle anything. But the world is only kind to kids.

Her hands clenched the hem of Anthony’s shirt, and she began to sob uncontrollably. If her mother were here, she would have said the same thing: My sweetie has done so well. It’s not your fault, my love.

Anthony gently patted her back. “Go on, let it out. You’ll feel better once you do.”

“She is not my mother!” Amy retorted loudly. “You’re my only mom!”

Catherine could barely contain her triumphant grin. She turned to Jessica, her expression a mask of sympathy. “Out of the mouths of babes, you know. Don’t take it to heart. Surely you won’t hold it against a child, will you?”

Jessica stood up. Under their watchful eyes, she walked out of the hospital.

Although she hadn't received her daughter's forgiveness, a different kind of victory was waiting for her. The short-form web series she had produced had gone viral. It was a landmark production in the country’s entertainment history—the first series of its kind helmed by a feature-film director, the first to use an entirely professional cast, and a milestone that transformed the genre from amateurish fare to high-quality production.

On its release day, viewer payments surpassed two hundred million dollars. It was a figure that left countless full-length television series in the dust.