Meanwhile.
Downstairs in the living room.
Unable to wait any longer for Donald to return, Tansy sat on pins and needles.
Finally, she couldn't hold back anymore. She grabbed Charlotte's hand and pleaded softly, "Lottie, could you come upstairs with me to check on him?"
"Sure."
Charlotte didn't refuse. She helped Tansy up and they made their way to the second floor.
Just as they reached the door to the study, they heard Samantha's sharp reprimands.
"You're going to stay right there on the floor today and take a good hard look at yourself."
"Think about how Tansy and Hector managed to survive all these years."
Hearing the voices, Tansy's face paled, and she hurriedly pushed the door open.
Seeing the haggard man kneeling on the floor made her heart ache.
Her knees gave out, and she sank to the floor beside him.
Seeing this unfold, Charlotte furrowed her brow slightly, then quietly closed the door and left them to it.
"Child, what are you doing?"
Seeing Tansy suddenly drop to her knees, Samantha rushed forward, trying to help her up. "You're still hurt, get up."
"Yes, please get up."
Kevin chimed in from the side. "This has nothing to do with you."
"It does, Mr. and Mrs. Gates." Despite her injuries, Tansy knelt perfectly straight, her reddened eyes fixed on the elders as she explained earnestly. "Back then, it was my father who captured Donald and brought him to The Stygian Syndicate, and then forced me to try and pull him into it."
"Later, he left because of my mistakes. I was the one who deceived his feelings."
"All the blame lies with me. Please, don't punish him."
Donald stared at her quietly, his expression grim.
"We know, we know all of that." Samantha crouched down as well, gently supporting the fragile Tansy, softening her voice. "Child, Donald just told us everything."
"You had your own struggles. You nearly lost your life trying to save him, and then you had to raise a child all by yourself."
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