The Alpha King is unavailable 144

"This is Daddy!" she would say repeatedly, pointing to my image. "Daddy loves

you very

much!"

As Lily grew, Olivia continued to fill the void left by my absence. She never spoke

ill of me,

never let Lily see her disappointment or anger at my neglect.

I watched Olivia's tears of joy as Lily spoke her first word: "Mama." Any mother would have

been content with that achievement, but Olivia was determined that Lily would know her

father too.

She continued showing Lily my picture, teaching her to say "Daddy!" with tireless patience

until Lily finally learned the word.

"Daddy loves Lily very much," Olivia would explain gently, "but Daddy is very busy, so he hasn't

come back to accompany Lily."

Lily, a blank slate eager to please, would echo her mother's words: "Daddy loves Lily! Lily loves

Daddy!"

I watched Olivia buying gifts, clothes, and toys for Lily

to our daughter, telling her they were

delighted responses, hugging the gifts and sweetly saying, "Love

a

the most basic responsibilities

Lily's eyes. Because of her daily reinforcement,

of me

surfaced-one I had almost forgotten. Lily,

waited for me at the Stone Residence Entrance one evening when I

arrived, her tiny legs carrying her toward me as fast

at me with

said softly, her arms raised

moment had softened something in me. From then

when I

had always thought that moment was coincidental-that Lily happened to be there when I arrived. But

4/6

87.

anticipation, hoping I would

+8 Points)

wave of tenderness over me. I remembered beginning to return to Imperial Gardens not just for Olivia, but

Victoria returned with Emma. Their hardships

Olivia, rekindling old feelings

indifferent to Lily, I had wanted her to get along with Emma. I envisioned them as playmates, perhaps even friends, creating a harmonious

had ended in disaster. I

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255