Ste even mused that if it were indeed a dream, she hoped never to awaken.


    Matthew understood her feelings, saying, “It’s like when I returned to the rk family and it wasn’t as I had pictured.


    Yet, I calmly epted everything and moved on.


    ”


    They continued their conversation, and after a moment, Ste couldn’t resist asking Matthew, “From your investigations, Be… My mother, did she really get married only once?”


    Matthew didn’t reply directly but instead questioned, “Why do you suddenly bring this up?”


    Ste admitted openly, “When I was with Kristian earlier, something felt off, but I couldn’t pinpoint what it was.


    My father never seemed to be like him, at least in my memories.


    ”This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Her memories held only a faint image of a man.


    He was gentle, distinctly unlike Kristian.


    Ste paused, and then added, “But perhaps he’s changed over the years.


    ”


    The thought lingered that even if a person transformed, the essence of how they made others feel remained constant.


    Every encounter with Kristian left Ste uneasy, sensing a hidden malice behind his smile.


    Her instincts screamed that something was off about him!


    Matthew, who had kept his investigation into Kristian a secret, noticed Ste’s troubled expression and reassured her, “Don’t dwell on it too much.


    Perhaps it’s just because you haven’t spent enough time with him.


    It might get better over time.


    ”


    Ste nodded, somewhat convinced.


    “Maybe.


    ”


    Holding her hand firmly, Matthew advised, “But if you find that you really can’t get along with him, don’t force yourself.


    ”


    His care was always thoughtful, warming Ste’s heart.


    After a brief pause, she said, “Do you think I’m being too paranoid? I obsessed over finding my biological parents for so long, and now that I’ve found them, I’m starting to doubt my father.


    It feels a bit ungrateful.


    ”


    Seeing her mood darken, Matthew offeredfort.


    “It’s not your fault.


    It’s natural to feel this way.


    You don’t have strong memories of your parents, which makes trust hard to build as an adult.


    Trust and understanding take time to develop unless there’s an immediate connection.


    Just take things one step at a time.


    ”


    Soothed by Matthew’s words, Ste felt calmer.


    They continued their conversation until they arrived at the rk family home.


    Upon entering, they were greeted by the sounds of Lucia and Lindsay chatting andughing together.


    Lucia was sitting with her back to Ste, unaware of her arrival.


    As Ste observed Lucia and Lindsay chatting intimately, she couldn’t help but recall her first meeting with Lindsay.


    The recent news posted by the paparazzi and the onlinements had clearly left their mark on her.


    Watching their harmonious get-together, Ste felt a pang of indescribable emotion.


    Upon noticing Ste and Matthew’s arrival, Lindsay greeted them warmly, “Ste, Matthew, you’re here.


    I was just catching up with Lucia about recent events.


    ”


    Lucia turned to Ste and invited her to join them, “Ste,e and have a seat.


    ”


    Seeing that only the two of them were in the living room, Ste asked, “Where are my grandpa and Waldo?”


    Lucia smiled.


    “It’s rare for them to have a chance to chat like this.


    They’re both fishing in the backyard.


    ”