bChapter /bb157 /b

    Ever since Michelle’sment, bI /bhadn’t been forced to write for anyone. Though I wasn’t a child anymore, I was still the kind of bperson /bwho would stacks off ifl could get away with it.

    “It’s fine. Just write whateveres to mind. Don’t worry about how it turns out,” Peter encouraged me, holding the pen in front of me.

    How could I not take it? I gripped the pen, and as soon as I did, I felt its weight. Maybe it was the ink, or maybe it was the way Peter’s eyes were full bof /bquiet expectation.

    He wanted me to write like I did before, when all I cared about was Alvin, when I was still the Dolton family’s little girl.

    I started writing, my hand trembling. Despite my efforts, the words came out uneven,

    I knew Peter didn’t care about the quality of my handwriting. He just wanted to know my heart.

    “Live in the present,” Peter read the characters aloud, his voice soft but firm.

    He was using words to express his thoughts, and I followed suit.

    Without saying anything more, Peter nodded and looked at me with a serious expression. “Zoe, I bless you.”

    He reached out his hand, as if to shake mine.

    But I didn’t shake it. Instead, I gently embraced him and said, “Thank you.”

    Peter patted my back and whispered, “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I didn’t discipline my son properly.”

    い

    Earlier, when Michelle had been scolding him, he hadn’t said a word. He hadn’t admitted his fault. But now, here he was apologizing to me.

    Ay that moment, tears welled up in my eyes.

    Peter seemed to sense my emotions. His big hand stroked my head, and then he pulled back to look at my red eyes. “I know everything about what Alvin has done. I’ve already had someone deal with it. If he dares to do it again, I’ll have him out of here. He should know his limits.”

    I had nned toin about Alvin’s behavior, but Peter had already anticipated it and said it all before I could even speak.

    He understood me. After all these years, our rtionship was no longer just that of a non–biological father and daughter–it was like a bond between people who shared a deep connection, blood or not.

    “Thank you,” I said, bowing deeply.

    I wasn’t just thanking him for supporting me, but for the love and care he’d given me over the past ten years.

    Peter caught my arm before I could leave. “Don’t do that. Don’t act like you won’t be part of this family anymore.”

    I shook my head. “You and Michelle will always be my family. My real family.”

    Peter smiled, “Yes. And when we go downstairs, I’ll tell Josh. If he even thinks about hurting you, I, Peter Dolton, will make sure he has no ce left in this world.”

    I had never heard him speak iso /ifiercely before. The ever–gentle Peter had turned into someone I didn’t recognize.

    I smiled, touched by his protectiveness. “I’ll make sure to tell him.”

    Peter gently ruffled my hair and said, “Zoe, no matter who you choose, I only wish for one thing: your happiness.b” /b

    At that moment, he felt like my real father.

    bChapter /b157

    Tears filled bmy /beyes once again, but bI /bnodded fiercely, deeply grateful for beverything /bbhe /bhad bdone /bfor bme/b,

    “Alright, let’s go downstairsb,/bb” /bPeter said, leading me toward the door. “I don’t know if Michelle will give Josh a hard btime/bb, /bbbut /bbshe /bjust bwants /byou to be daughterb–/binw. She won’t ept anyone else.”

    I linked my arm with his and said, “It’s fine, Let Michelle test him. If he runs away, it’ll prove he’s not the one for me.”

    Peter smiled affectionately and led me down the stairs. Just before we reached the bottom, I stopped him. “Peter, I need to ask you something”

    “Hmm? What is it?”

    I took a deep breath, my heart pounding. “Was the ident that killed my parents really an ident?”

    な

    Why we

    NA

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