“Don’t be so mean, dad.” Zuko was stubborn.

“Mean?” Zephyr scoffed. “I’m only telling the truth! Zuko, you’re the Hamerstons’ first son. Are you setting this example for your brother? You want the younger generation to learn this nonsense from you?”

“Dad!” Zuko took a deep breath, trying to suppress his emotions, and explained properly, “Firstly, I don’t know that woman. The annual meeting ended late. I was caught off guard when she threw herself at me!

“Secondly, I’m not admitting to any of the scandals in the past!”

Zephyr raised his eyebrows. “So, these women were desperate?”

Zuko nodded confidently.

“You—”

“Dad, I still have a third point.” Zuko paused for a moment. A glint of seriousness flashed through his eyes when he looked up again. “E-Even if I really have a girlfriend, it’s nothing wrong!”

“What did you say!?” Zephyr was stunned.

Zuko thought he would just say whatever he had been holding back once and for all. “I know you and mom are still holding onto the promise with the Thompsons for me to marry their daughter. I hope I’ll hold onto that too. But she’s no longer with us. She has disappeared for 18 years! Why are you guys so stubborn?”

“Shut your mouth!” Zephyr was shocked, furious, and emotional.

Cordelia quickly approached, held, and comforted him while patting his chest softly.

“Stop it, Zuko!” Cordelia blamed him. “Your father is right about you. Why did you talk back? You said that it’s fake news, but you’ve been hanging out with them lately. That’s how they managed to get those pictures. We didn’t accuse you!”

“Mom…”

Cordelia’s voice was shaking as she said, “Also, we didn’t find her body. She merely went missing! Uncle Nicholas has been looking for her all these years!”

“Why must you lie to yourself?” Zuko felt an ache in his heart. “They would have found her if she was still alive!”

“Zuko!”

I keep the marriage promise? You guys would condemn me every time such news came out! Are you telling me that I can

words rendered

to slap him, but

reason, she couldn’t shake off the guilt

and Linda’s first pregnancy had ended up as a miscarriage, and

that grew within her,

her thinking was misguided, but she was at a loss for how to overcome it. She felt unsure about how to change her strange behavior that stemmed from the burden of

say it out loud, she was against Zuko looking for a

She’s not dead. Haven’t we had clues all these years?” she said

but we can’t find her!” Zuko

hand and tossed his cup. A loud clang echoed when it

Zuko stood aside quietly.

Zuko in silence. He had been a good boy since he was

and son fight a few

did not only look exactly like Zephyr—their temper was similar

their

a wave of complex emotions

Cordelia had always thought they were still young. They could work as hard as the young people in

were vivid, but she could never

the end, Zephyr and Cordelia

He covered half of his face

amazing, brother!” He was gloating. “You dare to offend mom

at him and

continued playing the game. “Perhaps they’re too close with the Thompsons. That’s why

“Toph, do you think Pammy is

already forgotten about that a long time ago. I don’t even remember what

was only

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