Chapter 158: Forgiveness

Megan's POV

"Have a seat, my dear," my father-in-law said, and I slowly sat on the sofa while he remained standing, and when I raised my head, I found him staring at my face, which made me nervous.

I felt anxious knowing anything could go wrong since Ashton's dad was hard to please, and I knew his disapproval of me for being Ashton's wife. He wanted Claire since I was a nobody

"I don't know where to start, and you might think I was feigning again, but you have to believe me, Megan; this time, I am sincere with my intention." He declared as he stared into my eyes.

"First, allow me to say I am sorry, Megan, for all the hideous things I have done to you. I know what I had done was terrible, and I felt ashamed to admit my faults, but for the sake of my son and my entire family, I lower my pride and apologize." He added.

"It wasn't my forte to apologize since I always believed I was right; only yesterday, I realized what a fool I had been for making my children suffer. I knew because of my stature in the society, and I have this notion that my words would always be right and final." He continued.

"My dad made me realize I was losing my children, and I don't want that to happen. I never expected them to be like that, I didn't raise them well, yet my children turned out to be selfless and kind." Ashton's dad declared, and I could see the tears that welled up on his eyes.

"I am sorry, Megan, for making you suffer. I tried to make you disappear, but your love for each other was too strong, and my reputation as one of the most influential men in the country was put to the test, and I lost the battle." He added.

"I admit, I threw that party for you and Ashton to make you realize you don't belong in our family." He said, and I could feel the pang in my chest as I remembered the humiliation I felt that night.

"I realized I could never tear you apart no matter how much I will try to ruin what you have, Megan." He said.

"And I want to make it up with you until I die; my father was right; you are the best daughter-in-law I could ever have. You are hard-working, and you became successful with your business, but you remained humble." Ashton's dad continued.

"You are loving and kind; most of all, the most forgiving person I have ever known. If I could only turn back time, I would do it in a heartbeat, but since I can't undo the horrible things I did to you, I will make sure you will have a happy life with Ashton." He said as he moved closer to me.

"Megan, will you forgive me?" He asked, and I smiled at him.

"Of course, an apology is unnecessary, dad; all I ever wanted is for you to accept me as Ashton's wife. I am sorry if I couldn't stay away from your son." I responded.

"I couldn't unlove him. I tried to stop my heart from loving your son when I left Astikoz, but wherever I go, and whatever I do, I can't forget about him; he is always here in my heart." I added, and he laughed.

"Don't ever say you are sorry for loving Ashton. I am glad you cared about him that much, Megan." He responded with a wide grin, and he took me

into a tight embrace.

"Thank you, Meg, for your forgiveness and for giving me another chance to be a better father-in-law to you. And for giving our family the best gift, bringing Axel into this world." He said after he let go of me.

"I admit, I was very much affected when you left the house after the party, and I couldn't deny I miss my grandson. Knowing Axel gave me a different level of satisfaction, and I wished to spend more time with him; I was hoping you would not deny my request." He added.

"Dad, you can spend time with him as much as you want," I responded, and he took and squeezed my hand.

"I want to see you in your wedding dress, my dear. I was hurt and insulted that Ashton didn't invite me to your wedding, but I understand that my son hated me for hurting you." He stated.

"I want to give you the most extravagant wedding you can ever imagine, Megan, and that is my gift for you." He said, and I shook my head.

"Dad, I only wanted a simple church wedding to be witnessed by our family and some close friends; I wanted it to be intimate," I replied, and he beamed at me.

"I know you would say that, but you have to understand, you married my son, and I promised to myself the first time I held Ashton in my arms after her mom gave birth to him that I would make sure he will have the grandest wedding of all time in Astikoz history, in honor to his bride." He responded, and I couldn't stop from blushing.

"You deserve such honor, Megan," he added, and I smiled at him, knowing I could never say no to Ashton's dad.

"Welcome to our family; it is my pleasure to have you as my daughter-in-law, Megan," he added, and then he looked at me for a long time, and I knew it was now or never.

"Thank you, dad, but there is one thing I wanted to ask you," I responded while I couldn't stop myself from fidgeting.

"How about my family? Do you accept them as well?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Of course, my dear, I could tell you are referring to your brother, in particular; I don't hate him, Meg. I didn't want my daughter to experience hardship in life, knowing she grew up in luxury, and I thought she would suffer in your brother's arms." He responded.

"After he signed the NDA, I tore the paper; I didn't want my daughter to hate me; I just want Dexter to stay away from my only girl." He added as he sat down across from me.

"I know it would be too much to ask, but maybe you can talk to your brother and tell him if he has time; I wanted to speak with him too, to apologize and tell him personally that he is now free to court my daughter." He said, and my face fell, and I couldn't stop from feeling bad about Dexter and Belle's love story.

"I don't wish my daughter to hate me forever; even if she didn't tell me how she felt towards me, I could feel it in my bones that Isabelle hates me too." He added.

"Why do you look sad now that I am making the first step, Megan?" He asked.

"I am happy that you changed your mind, dad, and you are now giving my brother your blessing to court Isabelle, but it was already late; things between them became complicated. Isabelle hurt my brother during their last meeting." I responded, and I could see the disappointment on his face.

"What? What do you mean late?" My father-in-law asked.

"My brother already has a fiance," I replied, and his eyes widened.

"Oh, no! I couldn't believe your brother would give up my daughter that easily," he mumbled, and I could see the worries on his face.

"No wonder my only daughter looked so miserable and lonely, and this is all my fault, and I am the only one who can fix this," he added, and I shook my head.

"Dad, you can't; if you do that, things will become more complicated than it is, and I don't think there is something you can do about matters of the heart," I replied.

"I think I can help, Megan; if I will beg your brother, maybe Dexter would reconsider," Ashton's dad insisted.

"They are the only ones who can save their love for each other, dad. But you are right; I could say Dex was afraid to fight, especially after he learned what happened during the party." I said, and he bowed his head as he heaved a heavy sigh.

I was silent and waited for him to speak again, and when Ashton's dad raised his head and looked at me with regrets, sadness, and worries on his face; I wanted to help him.

"I wished to save Isabelle from being brokenhearted, as she had been unhappy for a long time. I knew she was faking her smile, and what I love about my daughter is; she was still trying to be an obedient child even if I had been unfair to her." He declared.

"What should I do, Meg, to help my daughter?" He asked, and I could tell he was desperate to save Isabelle and Dexter's relationship.

"I am not sure, dad, the last time I spoke with my brother, he was closed ears, and no matter how I begged him to give Isabelle another chance, he didn't listen to me; but we are on the same page, dad, I wanted them to end up together because I am sure my brother's happiness is not complete without Belle in his life," I responded.

"Can you help me?" He asked, and I smiled at him.

"Of course, for Dex and your daughter's happiness, I am willing to do anything to get them back together, even if it means my brother would hate me

for betraying his trust," I responded, and the smile he gave me was enough to tell me I made Ashton's dad happy.

"So, what is the plan?" He asked, and I shook my head.

"I don't know yet, but I will update you from time to time if I find ways to help them, but I think it would be best if you would speak with my brother first; at least, he will have an idea you are no longer against their relationship." I said.

"Okay, just let me know when I can speak with Dexter; thank you so much for your time, Megan." He responded.

"You are most welcome, dad," I replied.

I walked back towards Ashton's room with a beautiful smile on my face, and it felt like a torn had been pulled out from my chest after I gave my forgiveness to Ashton's father.

I was beaming from ear to ear as I realized; I finally belonged to the Pritzgold family after Ashton's father welcomed me as his daughter-in-law.