“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!”

time

rendered Cordelia

furious that he wanted to slap him, but she softly held

the guilt she had carried since Pammy had gone

Linda’s first pregnancy had ended up as

off the guilt that grew

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

not say it out loud, she was against Zuko looking for

not dead. Haven’t we had clues all these

we can’t find her!”

tossed his cup. A loud clang echoed when it fell

Zuko stood aside quietly.

silence. He had been a good boy since he was young, but he could be

had witnessed the father and

like Zephyr—their temper was

them. They exhibited a stoic demeanor, concealing their emotions and offering no explanations. The determination reflected in their eyes was

a wave of

the young people

vivid, but she could never go back to the

end, Zephyr and Cordelia stepped back

face. He covered half of his face with the

gloating. “You dare to offend

at him and

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

“Toph, do you think

was dumbstruck by the question and scratched his head while replying, “I’ve already forgotten about that a long time ago. I

right. Neither did Zuko remember her. After all, he was

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