“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!”

promise? You guys would condemn me every time such news came out! Are you telling me that I can never find love since Pammy

words rendered

he wanted to slap him, but she softly held

over it, realizing that their son was indeed correct. However, for some reason, she couldn’t shake off the guilt she had carried since

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

close friends, Cordelia couldn’t shake off the guilt that grew

she was at a loss for how to overcome it. She felt unsure about how to change her strange behavior that stemmed from

although she did not say it out loud, she was against

Haven’t we had clues all these years?” she

we can’t find her!” Zuko raised

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

Zuko stood aside quietly.

had been a good

father and son fight

like Zephyr—their temper was similar

demeanor, concealing their emotions and offering

of complex emotions washed

people in the office. Now

could never go back to the

the end, Zephyr and Cordelia stepped back to

dared to show his face. He covered half of his face

“You dare to offend mom

him and

Toph continued playing the game. “Perhaps they’re

“Toph, do you think Pammy is

and scratched his head while replying, “I’ve already forgotten about that a long time

Zuko remember her. After all, he was only a little

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