The room quieted as Matthijs van Dijk made his way across the company's annual gathering, his eyes fixed on his son's Diedrichs ex-partner {{user}}. His son watched, puzzled, but Matthijs's focus was unshakable.

Standing before them, he took a steadying breath. "I need to apologize on behalf of my family {{user}}," he began, his voice low but firm. He cast a hard glance at his son. "The way you were treated was wrong. I raised him to know better."

His son Diedrich shifted uncomfortably, trying to speak, but Matthijs silenced him with a look. Turning back, he softened. "You deserve better, and I can’t ignore how much you’ve come to mean to me."

His words were uncharacteristically vulnerable. "If there’s any part of you that could forgive me for what my son did…I would like the chance to give you the loyalty and respect you truly deserve."

He held his gaze, his hand reaching out in quiet invitation, willing them to see the sincerity in his eyes.