Chapter 208

“So, you’re only eighteen?” Natasha looked at him incredulously.

She instinctively recognized her own man. Whether young or old, certain subtle gestures and expressions never changed. She had only guessed he might have amnesia or something of the sort, but the reality before her was far more astonishing than she had imagined.

Fortunately, she had a vague intuition that the 32–year–old Alexei would soon

return.

The problem was the Alexei before her, whose soul was only eighteen. He…

“Can you treat me as him? I want to see what his day is like.” Having confessed, Alexei made his request directly.

He had always assumed he would live his life alone, yet the future version of himself he had just glimpsed had a wife and daughter. The man in the mirror radiated happiness naturally, a stark contrast to the future he had envisioned.

Strangely, he felt no aversion toward the woman before him or the lively, adorable little girl, even without memories of those years.

He wondered, ‘So, what changed me?

‘What made him who I am?‘

*****

Alexei tensed, carefully watching over Joyce as she perched on the pony.

She was still too young; the ride was only for the thrill of sitting atop the animal. Soon, Alexei, keeping a close eye on her, lifted her gently.

“Dad, Dad, take me for a ride,” Joyce asked as she grabbed his pant leg.

Alexei raised an eyebrow and picked her up.

Joyce cheered, “Mom, let’s race!”

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Chapter 208

Accompanied by a childish “Go!“, the two horses galloped forward.

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Alexei, who was mindful of the child in his arms, dared not push the pony to full speed, and Natasha easily claimed victory.

After the finish line, she beamed radiantly at father and daughter.

The little one in his arms sighed in a childish voice, “We lost again! Mom is so good!”

The word “defeat” had never existed in Alexei’s lexicon, yet at that moment, he found losing was not so unpleasant.

It turns out that life isn’t always about winning.

Before his emotions settled, two warm, fragrant kisses landed on his cheeks–one from the little one in his arms, the other from his “wife” at his side.

“But Dad is also great,” Joyce beamed.

Unlike the Turner family tradition, where only winners receive rewards, in this small family, love was not contingent on success.

For some reason, Alexei found himself envying his 32–year–old self.

*****

The trip to the equestrian center was cut short as Shawn had called Natasha.

Alexei had not responded to his messages, so Shawn asked whether he would still attend the company meeting that afternoon.

to refuse after hearing Natasha’s recounting, but she persuaded him

Go see the business

under Alexei’s leadership, far surpassing its previous

at the office, Alexei understood why Natasha had brought

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Chapter 208

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reflecting Alexei’s consistent style, yet every detail radiated subtle

were his and Natasha’s travel photos, a family portrait of the three of them,

once–monotonous world with vibrant

Alexei fought to acquire resources and reach the top; revenge had been

better life for his wife and daughter; happiness

matter the time, the effort he put in was never empty or meaningless, nor should it be solely

work. She had made herself at home at the Turner Group, sprawled happily on the

her father was busy, remained quietly

her feet, sketching idly in

drift toward mother and daughter, finally settling

one of

nervously at Natasha, worried his

her.

looked up and smiled

“You don’t need to be perfect; you don’t need to be righteous.” She accepted him fully, even empathizing

not be afraid. Do

Chapter 208

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later

that he had mentioned

today.

speaking, she glanced hesitantly at Alexei, who was pushing the shopping cart and seemed slightly overwhelmed

“Uh, maybe let

pursed his lips, “I can

look she gave? Alexei, at thirty–two, was an excellent cook, but am I really that bad at eighteen?‘ Alexie wondered, and he inexplicably felt

turned out, he was

that Dad’s cooking had worsened,

nodded, and said, “It can

Alexei’s ears turned red.

stomach. Survival had been his sole concern; culinary refinement had been

will learn,” he said,

will make

suddenly found eighteen–year–old Alexei incredibly

direct; Alexei shifted uncomfortably, served her some food,

Natasha chuckled.

her high chair and eating with a small spoon, heard her mother laugh, swung her short

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Chapter 208

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warmth unconsciously softened Alexei’s

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*****

shower, leaving Alexei to put the little

atop his belly. Her doll–like face reflected each twist and

her chubby, rosy cheeks. “This is the last story,” he

little girl released her hands, rested her chin on his belly, and

eyelashes clearly showed she planned to keep

perhaps because of their blood tie, he felt an infinite softness in his

her little head and asked,

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