Mr. Fraser stared at me, his expression a mix of shock and anger, but it quickly settled into a calm demeanor. Various emotions swirled within him for a long time before he finally looked at me intently.


    "I only have one question. Have you been well all these years?"


    I stood frozen, taken aback by hisplex expression, my heart mixed with emotions.


    His question was simple yet profound as it unexpectedly brought to light the thoughts I had buried deep inside.


    I took a deep breath, trying to make my voice steady and resolute. "These years, I haven''t been too good, but not too bad as well. Life has its ups and downs, but I''ve learned to be strong."


    I spoke slowly, my gaze fixed on his face. I could feel that behind Mr. Fraser''s wordsy countless truths-truths he wanted to say but didn''t dare to voice.


    "The only condition for my departure back then was that I hoped Jack would take good care of you. So, I''m eager to know if he has treated you well all these years."


    I almostughed at the absurdity of his words. How could Jack possibly treat me well?


    As my biological father, he had treated me like amodity, eager to gain benefits from me at any chance he got.


    His wordsnded like a heavy blow, striking my already fragile heart. I took a deep breath, struggling to keep the tears at bay, my voice trembling slightly.


    "When I was little, I had no memory of my mother. Jack told me she was insane and got locked away in a mental hospital. Eventually, unable to bear the pressure of life, she took poison and ended her life."


    At that time, I thought my mother was a madwoman, so she disappeared from my world. Yet, I longed so desperately for a mother''s love.


    "There was a happy time when I lived with my grandmother, but then Jack prospered and sent her away to the countryside."


    The reason why he brought me back home was also to make me a better asset for him, helping him gain more benefits.


    "I thought that returning to this family would allow me to fit in, but I had a stepmother and a younger sister, and I felt like an outsider in my own home."


    Sometimes, feeling like you never


    belonged in a family can make youN?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    feel incredibly lonely, like a


    fragmented ind adrift in their It


    was then that I realized I had no way out


    "They were indifferent to me, even ignored me, making me feel like I was an outsider in this house."


    I continued, my voice tinged with barely perceptible bitterness. "But even so, I never gave up hope for


    life. I studied hard to prove my worth and to escape that suffocating


    home."


    He listened quietly, a flicker of pain and regret crossing his features.


    "I should have seen thising. I never expected him to treat you like this. I thought that as long as I brought him enough benefits, he would be good to you."


    His voice was low and heavy as if burdened by a thousand weights.


    I shook my head, managing a bitter smile. "Benefits can never rece familial bonds, nor can theypensate for the love I''ve missed all these years. But I understand that none of this can change now, I can


    only keep moving forward


    He fell silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.


    After all these years, I have learned that the sweets you reach for often leave a bitter taste.