Reunited

-Chapter - 49 - Forgiveness -

September 18, 2026
-Evening, 8:40pm-

Gabriella went to her room after dinner to begin her nightly routine. When she came out of the bathroom, she noticed her mother resting on her bed, like she had done every other night. She had a smile on her face as she made her way to her bed, and once there, Nathalie immediately grabbed her daughter and hugged her.

When Gabriella looked into Nathalie's eyes, she noticed the tears she was trying to brush away, as well as the puffiness and redness in her mother's eyes. Her smile faded, and she questioned her mother, "Mama, were you crying?"

Nathalie shook her head and smiled, "No, I wasn't." Don't worry about me, my love, "she paused, "It's becoming late, so you should go to bed." She said it in her motherly tone of voice.

Gabriella locked her gaze on Nathalie for a moment, and though she denied it, it was clear that she had been crying. She returned Nathalie's smile and said, "It's okay, mama. I miss him as well." She rested her head on her mother's chest. She then added in a whisper, "I love you so much, mama," and she hugged her mother tighter.

Nathalie's smile widened. "I love you more, Gabriella... and your father will be back with us in no time." She kissed her daughter on the head. Gabriella gave a slight nod before closing her eyes.

After a couple of minutes, Nathalie eventually snapped out of her deep thought. She glanced at her daughter, and found her peacefully asleep. Nathalie kissed her daughter on the head once again, before delicately removing Gabriella's arms from around her and getting out of the bed and returning to her and Gabriel's room.

Once Nathalie entered the bedroom, she sighed heavily and saw the folder Gabriel entrusted her with. She approached the bed and perched on the edge while looking at the folder. She realized now that everyone knows Gabriel Agreste was the villain of Paris, the position he is in....his career that he worked so hard to attain would all be over, and that would have never happened if she and her daughter never came back to the mansion.

She could feel the tears flowing down her cheek. As hard as it was to admit, it was the truth.

-

"Adrien, will you be staying here tonight?" Lucy asked him when she saw him walking up the stairs.

Adrien turned around and gave her a small smile, "No, I'm actually about to go tell mom I'm leaving," he answered.

"Oh okay. I think she might be in her room," Lucy informed him.

He nodded and replied, "Thank you, auntie."

"You're welcome. Get home safety," she said lastly before walking back to the guest bedroom.

Adrien glanced at Gabriel and Nathalie's bedroom before approaching it. He knocked on the door a couple of times while calling, "Mom?"

After hearing her son's voice from outside, Nathalie immediately wiped her tears with her sleeve. And when the door started to open she turned around to keep him from seeing her brushing her tears away.

"Mom?" Adrien called while he approached her.

Nathalie turned around, and smiled, "Are you about to leave?" she asked.

Adrien nodded, and when he saw his mother's saddened eyes, he bent down and gave her a hug.

"What's wrong, Adrien?" Nathalie asked worriedly and caressed his back up and down.

She heard him sigh and answer, "You've been quiet ever since the police took father away..." he pulled away from the hug and sat beside her, "Are you okay, mom?" he asked.