"Who''s there?" Hearing the knock, Norris quickly wiped his hands on his apron, ncing at the freshly made roast chicken and carefully cing it on the table before heading to the door. In the room, watering the housents, Madge heard the knock, peering outside, "Who''s it? Is it Jay?"N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Norris replied, "Jay texted this morning and said he''d arrive tomorrow. It''s probably Lacey from next door. You''ve been under the weathertely, and I asked her to bring some fresh milk..." At the door, Roseanne looked at her father opening the door. Six years flew by. The white at his temples had spread, and the lines on his square face deepened.


    As a child, she loved riding on her dad''s shoulders, but her father seemed older, his back more bent, yet his eyes remained as sharp and clear as they had been six years ago. "Dad..." her voice was soft.


    From initial shock to disbelief, Norris'' expression darkened. "What are you doing back?"


    The outside fell silent. Feeling something was off, Madge exited the living room before she entered the yard. "Norris, why aren''t you answering? Who is it?"


    However, upon seeing the person at the door, her grip loosened, and the watering bottle dropped with a crash.


    Tears filled Roseanne''s eyes. Her mother looked as beautiful and elegant as ever, seemingly favored by time.


    Their eyes met, and she couldn''t help but murmur, "Mom..."


    Hearing her daughter''s voice, Madge''s hands trembled slightly, her lips moving but unable to form aplete sentence. After a moment, she managed in a husky voice, "Norris, let''s go inside."


    In the living room, the atmosphere was heavy.


    Norris sat on the couch, his expression nk, "Why did youe back? Have you forgotten what you said?"


    Six years ago, Roseanne had chosen


    a man over a direct Ph.D. program, something Norris found out about at thest minute. That night, he was so angry that his blood pressure spiked,nding him in the hospital.


    He''d always looked out for her and helped her grow, never thought she would ditch everything for a guy.


    He still remembered confronting her in Lumina City, where she dered she had chosen between love and academia with no regrets.


    Recalling that scene still made Norris'' chest tight with difort.


    "I''ve said it before. From now on, you chase your love, and your mother and I will live like we don''t have a daughter!"


    "Dad..." Tears streamed down Roseanne''s face.


    "Don''t call me that." Norris turned away, refusing to look at her. "I''m not your dad, nor do I have the capacity to be."


    Noticing his rising blood pressure due to the emotional turmoil, Madge patted his back quickly. "Enough. You know your blood pressure is high, yet you still get worked up!" After telling Norris off, Madge turned to Roseanne.


    This daughter of theirs was so stubborn! They had tried persuading and scolding her, but she decided to make her own mistakes.


    Madge had written many novels with heroines who were bold and resilient, yet she never expected her daughter to be more stubborn than her fictional characters in matters of love! Madge had even thought her daughter had lost her sense of love!


    With a hardened heart, she spoke coldly, "You see, your father is not well. He can''t handle the stress. If you still consider us your family, don''t upset your dad anymore. Just go now."


    Roseanne felt her throat tightening, her nose started stinging, and her eyes got all teary and blurry. "Mom, Dad, I''m sorry. I realize my mistake now. I truly do..."


    "Dad, I know you''ve always had high


    hopes for me wanting me to strive for greater heights. I''m sorry I let you down." She took a deep breath, turning to Madge. "And Mom, you always taught me to be independent and strong, not to be anyone''s essory. I''m sorry. I couldn''t do it..."