Chapter 872

Barrett’s eyes darkened with sorrow. “I know I’ve disappointed you, Sebastian. I deeply regret my choices.”

“When the Duke of Northwatch’s family chose a son-in-law, they set the bar high. Yet, they chose you. Do you know what Madam Sinclair saw in you?”

Barrett’s voice caught in his throat at the mention of his late mother-in-law.

“I do. She said I was earnest and honest, that I promised never to take a concubine… It was my fault. I broke that promise. I let her down.”

“That’s part of it,” Sebastian said. “The second reason is that, even as the second son, you were willing to shoulder your family’s burdens. It showed responsibility. Frankly, restoring your family’s reputation was difficult then, and even harder with you alone at the helm.

“Madam Sinclair believed you possessed the tenacity and focus of the late General Sinclair. Solid, responsible people act accordingly. With you managing external affairs and Carissa handling domestic matters, you might not achieve greatness, but securing military honors and a position in the capital shouldn’t have been out of reach. While not a life of grandeur, it would have offered stability. She simply desired a smooth life for her daughter.

“However, she misjudged you through the lens of her experience. Your ancestors were prominent, but by your father’s generation, the family had declined. A lack of strict family teachings and a nurturing mother meant you lacked experience and hadn’t faced significant temptations. Your self-discipline was lacking, and your ability to discern right from wrong was insufficient.

“The burdens you carried were solely the heavy expectations of your family; your own desire to restore it to former glory. To be frank, you have talent, but you’re not exceptionally gifted.

“Had you taken one step at a time, with General Sullivan and Carissa’s assistance, you would have achieved something worthwhile. Your family might not have returned to its past heights, but you could have carved out a place for yourself.

“When you met Aurora, you were impressed by her supposed strength. Had you been more insightful, you’d have realized her words were misguided. A woman who belittles others to elevate herself inherently disrespects all women. Her success further enamored you. Aurora stood out among the officers, and you thought Carissa couldn’t compare.

Your mistakes stem from your youth, inexperience, muddled thinking, and blindness to the corrupting influence of wealth. You naively believed you had found true love. At that point, you weren’t beyond saving. Had you returned to the capital and sought guidance from elders, you could have regained your clarity.

“But your mother’s shortsightedness led her to repay kindness with cruelty. Instead of comforting Carissa, she oppressed her. She tried to force Carissa to give you and Aurora money for the wedding. Failing that, she plotted to have you divorce Carissa and seize her dowry.

“Surprisingly, you didn’t stop her. You actively participated in her schemes, one misstep leading to another. Your actions led your mother to a dead end. It was only Amelia who kept her alive this long.”

After finishing, Sebastian drained his cup and turned to Barrett.

“She should have been gone long ago, yet she lived thanks to her daughters-in-law’s devotion. She should have considered it a blessing. But now, one is gone, the other dead, and that blessing is vanished.

“And you. You’re not innocent. Didn’t you realize some things were fundamentally wrong? You knew, yet you did them. While not monstrous acts, your actions are repulsive. Because they weren’t truly monstrous, you still have a chance at redemption. I hope this conversation will wake you up.”

Barrett trembled, his face pale. Sebastian’s words struck him like hammers, forcing him to relive his past mistakes. He had gone wrong, step by step. As Sebastian said, he knew some things were wrong, but why had he acted that way?

“Go home. There’s no need to kneel in this freezing weather. You’re the dignified commander of the Crown Guard. Do you have any idea how much trouble you’re inviting by kneeling in front of my shop? You’re dishonoring General Wyatt, who sacrificed an arm for you.”

Barrett felt deep shame and a dull pain in his heart. Rebecca was still his mother. He had no choice but to plead again.

“Sebastian, just one pill. Let her see the New Year, please?”

“She doesn’t deserve it!” Sebastian snapped, gesturing to his staff. “Escort him out!”