Loved You Once But He's My Forever

Chapter 362 She's Back, Right?

Zoey's feelings for her father were complicated. From childhood, she had always longed for his attention.

She thought Bill's focus was entirely on Philippa, but he had noticed her instead.

"I... "Zoey began.

Her mother, gently placing an arm around her shoulders, introduced her with a smile. "This is Janice, Chloe's friend. She just stopped by to visit."

Bill stared at Zoey for a long moment before he looked away, perhaps reconsidering, realizing it was unlikely.

"I just made it. Drink it while it's hot," Nicholas said, breaking the silence.

He continued, "We had chicken soup yesterday, but that can get boring. I had them make some pigeon soup today."

"Not for you. Why are you so excited about it?"

The tension between the two men was palpable. Before the divorce, Nicholas had always been respectful, quietly observing and never interrupting.

Now, with the divorce finalized, he had taken a more assertive stance, no longer tolerating Bill's behavior.

At that moment, Zoey spoke up, "I actually really like chicken soup. Hmm, may I have some?"

The poor child, even after everything, still the same naive Zoey who longed for her father's love.

She could be ruthless toward Harlan, but in her heart, Bill was still her father.

Zoey couldn't bear to let Bill's efforts go to waste, so she stepped in to defend him.

Bill paused, a little surprised, but then answered, "Of course. I'll serve it for you."

Her mother chimed in, "It's rare that we're all together. Why don't you stay for dinner?"

Bill's face lit up with disbelief, and his eyes shone brightly. "Sure."

His reaction reminded me of a dog's look when its owner walks through the door-excited, happy, and a little desperate.

The look on his face reminded me of a puppy greeting its owner after a long day. It was clear that Bill didn't hold much standing these days. He probably couldn't even step foot inside his ex-wife's house, let alone stay for dinner-it would have been a luxury. He remembered to serve soup to Zoey. The first thing he did when he entered was to begin serving the soup, handing a bowl to Philippa.

After Nicholas went to the kitchen, he lowered his voice and said, "Dinner won't be ready for a while; drink a little to fill your stomach."

mother replied, not putting up any

bowl and

but I felt like

mushrooms and a chicken

Mine had chicken wings.

but Zoey liked

chicken leg, Zoey's eyes reddened slightly. I wasn't sure if it reminded her of something connected to that leg of chicken, but

choke. If you like it, I can make it for you again tomorrow. I'm

"Thank you, Bill."

her father didn't notice,

into the chicken soup, causing

around at the time. He said, "I also made some bread. I'll bring it over

his eyes were

both father and daughter, twisted

the mess he'd made of his

Zoey, he still couldn't bring himself to claim her as

I followed him outside.

of his house, smoking. Even his

and asked, "Didn't you say you were going to

out his cigarette and looked at the distant sunset, his voice heavy with age and regret. "She's

it out. I thought you, of

gave a wry smile. "You never hold back, do

I ruined your marriage, and a great international CEO

warning, he turned toward me and pulled me into

found peace. Even if she never forgives me, it's okay. I will keep holding onto her smile. You've taught me that loving someone isn't about harming them or taking things from

answered honestly, "No, not in the past, and

the Sanders, being

my identity were exposed in the future, I would

I had already severed

never blamed you or hated you. She only wanted a father's love. Don't fail

"I understand."

You don't smell

and said, "I bet you would be a

up. "Alright, let's go bake

smiled and

but it

in the