Terence was taken aback. Hanley was apologizing to him and now wanted to give him the flowers. Was the bouquet that uncomfortable to hold?
“I accept your apology, but I’ll pass on the flowers. I’m a man; I don’t need them.”
Hanley’s expression fell. “Mommy won’t forgive me, and you won’t either. But I’m being sincere. Why won’t either of you take my flowers? Even if you don’t forgive me, you could still accept them. Then maybe I wouldn’t feel so sad.”
Hanley looked so pitiful that Mrs. Lockwood started to feel anxious. She didn’t want to force Natalie to forgive the boy—only Natalie knew the true extent of the pain he’d caused her.
She had no right to forgive on her behalf or make that decision for her.
Mrs. Lockwood shot her son a look, signaling him to just take the flowers. The poor child looked miserable holding them.
But her son didn't seem to get the message.
Being ignored by everyone, Hanley grew even more upset.
“I really want you and Mommy to forgive me. I truly know I was wrong.
“My teacher said that when you do something wrong and say you’re sorry, people are supposed to say it’s okay. So why won’t you forgive me?
“I really know I was wrong, and I’ll never do it again. If you still won’t forgive me, if you think I’m just a bother and an annoyance, then I’ll just stay away and never appear in front of you again.”
As Hanley spoke, it was clear he was heartbroken, his eyes welling up with tears.
He turned to leave, and his small, retreating figure was a truly pathetic sight.
Watching him, Natalie’s heart ached. This was the son she had loved for five years. Ignoring him now hurt her more than anyone.
But she had made her decision. Since he had chosen his aunt over his own mother, she no longer wanted him as her son.

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