03
I was my father’s only daughter. Although my mother passed away early, he never let me feel a lack of fatherly love.
In recent years, as he’s gotten older and his health has declined, he’s repeatedly expressed his hope for me to visit him more often.
But I was so focused on Lucas, and because of our frequent conflicts, I had also grown distant from my father.
I knew how difficult it was for my father to manage a large corporation, but I still couldn’t bear to give up my life by Lucas’s side.
I abandoned a life of luxury, gave up my family’s business, and devoted myself to assisting him in his startup, only to end up completely
broken and hurt.
My father was clearly awakened from his sleep by my call. Hearing his anxious voice asking what had happened, I couldn’t hold back my
tears.
“Nothing’s wrong, Dad. I just miss you.”
10:31 AM
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“My dear daughter, did Lucas bully you? Why do you sound so upset?”
I could no longer suppress the pain in my heart and burst into tears over the phone.
After crying, I talked with Dad for a long time. I could tell he was very emotional too, constantly talking about arrangements for when I return home.
Having made my decision, I started preparing to leave.
My father had built his business empire from scratch, and he had intended to groom me as his successor.
But after graduating and returning to the country, under the pretext of wanting to strive independently, I stayed in Lucas’s city, neglecting my father whose gray hair was increasing day by day.
Now, I was eager to return home, not wanting to stay here any longer.
Late at night, I returned home to find Tessa’s shoes and coat scattered at the entrance.
From inside, I could hear Lucas’s doting voice: “Why are you barefoot? You’ll complain about cold feet later.”
She responded in a coquettish manner: “Who told you not to prepare for me? You must have been too busy today, right?”
I stood in the living room, looking disheveled, while she feigned surprise: “Lily, why are you back so late? We thought you had already come
home.”
Her demeanor was as if she were the mistress of the house, while I had become an unwelcome guest.
I was too exhausted to care that she was wearing my new pajamas and holding my unopened Hermès perfume.
She seemed to have grown accustomed to using my things naturally. Lucas always said, “It’s not that she doesn’t have money, she’s just alone here without anyone to take care of her. You’re with me now, so you’re like an elder to her. Giving her some things is no big deal.”
Seeing my silence, Lucas mistakenly thought I was about to get angry and hurriedly explained, “I just took Tessa to the hospital for a check–up. It was too late and unsafe, so I let her stay for the night.”
“Fortunately, nothing’s wrong with her. Otherwise, how could I face her parents?”
His tone was full of reproach, but he failed to notice my wind–reddened face and weak expression.
The headache made me feel dizzy, and I had no strength left to argue with them.
He asked in bewilderment, “You’re not angry?”
Stopping in my tracks, I explained for him: “Tessa’s parents aren’t around, so it’s right for you to take care of her. I’m used to being independent, there’s nothing to worry about. I’ll forget about it after a good night’s sleep.”
They were momentarily stunned. Lucas hastily said, “You know Tessa’s been emotionally unstable since she got sick. I was afraid something might happen to her.”
I interrupted him: “That has nothing to do with me. You don’t need to explain so much.”
He became annoyed and forcefully grabbed my arm, but I shook him off as if I’d seen a ghost.
Tessa, on the verge of tears, said: “Stop fighting. I’ll leave now and never appear in front of you again.”
She turned to leave, but Lucas warned me: “She’s still just a young girl. Can’t you tolerate her? Stay at home and reflect on your behavior!”
He helped her put on her coat, and before leaving, he didn’t forget to go to the bathroom and stuff her pink underwear into his pocket.
As she passed by me, Tessa secretly stuck out her leg, tripping me.
Already dizzy, I stumbled and fell to the ground, the pain hitting me again.
10:31 AM
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But Lucas acted as if he hadn’t seen it and left directly with her.
