NovelEnglishMr. 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 tbefore he finally looked atintently.
"I only have one question. Have you been well all these years?"
| stood frozen, taken aback by his complex expression, my heart mixed with emotions.
His question was simple yet profound as it unexpectedly brought to light the thoughts | had buried deep inside.
| took a deep breath, trying to make my voice steady and resolute. "These years, | haven't been too good, but
not too bad as well. Life has its ups and downs, but I've learned to be strong."
| spoke slowly, my gaze fixed on his face. | could feel that behind Mr. Fraser's words lay countless truths-truths
he wanted to say but didn't dare to voice.
"The only condition for my departure back then was that | hoped Jack would take good care of you. So, I'm eager
to know if he has treated you well all these years."
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| almost laughed at the absurdity of his words. How could Jack possibly treatwell?
As my biological father, he had treatedlike a commodity, eager to gain benefits fromat any chance he
got.
His words landed like a heavy blow, striking my already fragile heart. | took a deep breath, struggling to keep the
tears at bay, my voice trembling slightly.
"When | was little, | had no memory of my mother. Jack toldshe 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, | thought my mother was a madwoman, so she disappeared from my world. Yet, | longed so
desperately for a mother's love.
"There was a happy twhen | lived with my grandmother, but then Jack prospered and sent her away to the
countryside."
The reason why he broughtback hwas also to makea better asset for him, helping him gain more
benefits.
"I thought that returning to this family would allowto fit in, but | had a stepmother and a younger sister, and
| felt like an outsider in my own home."
Sometimes, feeling like you never
belonged in a family can make you
feel incredibly lonely, like a
fragmented island adrift in their It
was then that | realized | had no way out
"They were indifferent to me, even ignored me, makingfeel like | was an outsider in this house."
| continued, my voice tinged with barely perceptible bitterness. "But even so, | never gave up hope for
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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 this coming. | never expected him to treat you like this. | thought that as long as | brought
him enough benefits, he would be good to you."
His voice was low and heavy as if burdened by a thousand weights.
| shook my head, managing a bitter smile. "Benefits can never replace familial bonds, nor can they compensate
for the love I've missed all these years. But | understand that none of this can change now, | can
only keep moving forward
He fell silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.
After all these years, | have learned that the sweets you reach for often leave a bitter taste.
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