Let Love Lead

12/10/2023

12/10/2023

A woman awakes during the night to find that her husband was not in bed.

She puts on her dressing gown and goes downstairs to look for him.

She finds him sitting at the kitchen table with a hot cup of coffee in front of him.

He appears to be in deep thought, just staring
at the wall.

She watches as he wipes a tear from his eye and takes a sip of his coffee...

"What's the matter, dear?", she whispers as she steps into the room.

The husband looks up from his coffee, "I am just remembering when we first met 20 years ago and started dating. Do you remember back then?", he says solemnly.

The wife is touched to tears thinking that her husband is so caring, so sensitive.

Yes, I do", she replies.

The husband pauses.

The words were not coming easily.

"Do you remember when your father caught us in my car?"

'Yes, I remember", says the wife, lowering herself into a chair beside him.

The husband continues.

Do you remember when he shoved the shotgun in my face and said,
"Either you marry my daughter, or I will send you to jail for 20 years?""

'I remember that also", she replies softly.

He wipes another tear from his cheek and says...
"I would have been released today if only I took the right decision!

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10/10/2023

My wife is a CEO, she always hates me for being lazy and wants to divorce me. But she doesn't know that her success is bestowed by me.

"Dustin, here is the divorce agreement prepared by Ms. Nicholson, please sign it."
In the president's office of the Quine Group, Lyra Blaine, the secretary, placed a piece of paper on the table. A man sat opposite her, dressed in plain clothing.
"Divorce? What do you mean?"
"Your marriage with Ms. Nicholson is over. You're not even on the same level anymore. Your existence is nothing but a smear on our CEO's reputation!"
"A smear on her reputation?" Dustin frowned. "Is that what she thinks of me?"
Dahlia Nicholson and Dustin Rhys had been married for three years. After Dahlia's meteoric rise to success, she was about to abandon Dustin as a burden and filed for divorce. Unbeknownst to her, everything she had ever achieved was actually bestowed by him.
Back when they first got married, the Nicholson family was in ruinous debt. He was the one who helped them when they were at their rock bottom. Now that they became rich, Dahlia Nicholson was ready to kick him out.
With the sound of the door opening, a pair of enchanting high heels came into his view.
"You're finally here."
Dustin felt complicated when he saw the beautiful woman. They had been married for three years, during which they treated each other with care and respect. But this was how it ended. He still didn't know what he had done wrong.
"I'm sorry for being late, I was caught up with something else."
Dahlia Nicholson sat down. Her expression was as impassive as ever.
"You certainly are busy, if you need your secretary to help you deal with your divorce," Dustin said.
Hearing this, Dahlia frowned slightly. However, she did not explain herself. Instead, she said, "Since you're here, let's end it on a pleasant note. You can have the car, the house, and 8 million dollars as alimony. How does that sound?"
At that, she placed a card on the table.
"Do you really think our relationship can be measured by money?" Dustin asked.
"Too little? That's alright. Let me know what you want. I'll give you anything within my power," Dahlia said placidly.
"Are money and power that important to you?" Dustin was truly bewildered.
"Dustin, that's where you and I diverge in philosophy. You'll never understand what I really want." Dahlia shook her head in disappointment.
"You're right." Dustin nodded without any emotion. "I heard that you've been close with the heir of the Nolan family. Is it because of him?"
Dahlia was about to deny it when she gave it a second thought. In the end, she nodded.
"You can say that."
"Okay. I hope you're happy with him." Dustin smiled and signed the divorce agreement without any more hesitation. All he felt now was disappointment. Ironically, today was also their wedding anniversary. There was cruel humor in divorcing him on the day they had gotten married.
"I don't want the money, I just want that crystal necklace back. My mother left it to me before she died so that I can give it to my wife."
"Okay."
Dahlia nodded and gave him the necklace.
"From today on, we will have nothing to do with each other!"
Dustin put on the necklace and left. He had no more gentleness in his expression, all that was left was distant aloofness.
"Did I do the right thing, Lyra?" Dahlia asked hesitantly.
"Of course you did!" Lyra nodded. " Dustin does not deserve you at all. You're destined to be the most powerful woman in Swinton!"
Dahlia did not answer her. As she watched Dustin leave, she felt as if she was losing something precious.

Chapter 2
In the elevator, Dustin stared at the crystal necklace dejectedly. It was time to awaken from this prolonged daydream.
Suddenly, his phone rang, breaking him out of his trance.
A familiar voice raised, "Mr. Rhys, I'm Hunter Anderson from the Swinton Group. I heard that today is your wedding anniversary with Ms. Nicholson, so I've prepared a gift for you. I'm just wondering if you have any time today?"
"Thank you for your kindness, but I'm afraid we won't need the gift any more," Dustin said.
"Why?"
Hunter could sense something wrong.
"Is there anything else you'd like to talk about, Mr. Anderson?"
"Actually, yes." Hunter cleared his throat awkwardly. "I've got a friend who contracted a strange illness. He's seen a lot of doctors, but none of them could do anything about it. I was hoping that you could help."
"Mr. Anderson, you know my rules."
"Of course! I'm sincere in my request. My friend owns some canscora, which I remember you were looking for. I'm sure he'll be willing to part with it if you help him," Hunter said.
"Is it true?" Dustin asked seriously.
"Yes, it is!"
"Alright, then I'll be willing to take a look." Dustin immediately agreed.
He wasn't interested in money or jewels, but rather some rare plants, as he needed them to save lives.
"Thank you, Mr. Rhys! I'll send someone to pick you up immediately!" Hunter smiled in relief.
As the CEO of the Swinton Group and one of the Mighty Three of Swinton, Hunter acted exceptionally timid in front of Dustin.
"Great, one more done, five to go. I should have enough time," Dustin muttered to himself. His mood was lifted a little by this news.
With a ding, the elevator doors opened. As soon as he stepped out of the building, he saw two familiar figures walking to him. It was Dahlia's mother and brother, Florence Franklin and James Nicholson.
"Mom, ..." Dustin greeted.
"Did you and Dahlia get divorced?" Florence did not waste any breath.
"Yes, we did." Dustin gave her a forced smile. "It's not Dahlia's fault, it's mine. Don't blame her."
However, hearing this, Florence snorted coldly.
"Of course it's your problem. I know my daughter well. If you hadn't done anything wrong, why would she divorce you?"
Dustin was stunned. What was this? Victim blaming?
"Mom, stop wasting time." Suddenly, James stepped forward. "Listen, Rhys. I don't care whether you divorce my sister or not, but you're giving me all the money you got from her."
"Money? What money?" Dustin was flabbergasted.
"Stop feigning ignorance! My sister gave you 8 million dollars as alimony!" James said coldly.
"That's my daughter's money! Give it back!" Florence stretched out her hand in demand.
"I didn't take any money from her," Dustin denied.
"Do you take us as idiots?" James did not believe him.
"Rhys, you'd better be tactful. Don't make me angry!" Florence warned.
"You can ask Dahlia if you don't believe me." Dustin did not want to explain himself any further.
James dove straight into Dustin's pockets.
Florence followed suit.
"Mom, do you have to do this?" Dustin frowned.
Florence spat on the ground in disgust.
"Who are you calling Mom? Who do you think you are?" As she spoke, she continued searching Dustin's pockets.
After some time, they didn't find what they wanted.
"Did he really not take it?" James said, displeased.
Suddenly, he spied Dustin's crystal necklace and pulled it off roughly.
"Isn't this my sister's necklace? Why is it here? You steal it?" James demanded.
"This is the Rhys family heirloom. Give it back!" Dustin said, expression darkened.
"A family heirloom? Does this mean that this is valuable?" James'eyes lit up.
"Then it can be your repayment for these three years that you've been living with us. Let's go!" Florence gave her son a look and prepared to leave.
"Stop!" Dustin grabbed James'wrist. "Give me back the necklace!"
Seeing that he had no chance of freeing himself from Dustin, James threw the necklace onto the ground. With a crisp clink, the crystal necklace broke into pieces. Dustin blanched. This was the only thing he had to remember his mother by.
"How dare you lay your hands on me! I'd rather break it than give it back to you!" James said as he rubbed his sore wrist.
Dustin clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles popped. His eyes were red with anger.
"Screw you!" Outburst, Dustin punched James in the face.
James was punched so hard that he spun back uncontrollably before falling to the ground. He was so dizzy that couldn't stand up.
"Let me teach you manners!" Dustin grabbed him by hair and lifted him. Then, he punched him several times.
James' face soon turned bloody from the punches.
"How dare you hit my son!" Florence screamed as she tried to help her son.
"Get off!" Dustin turned and glared at her. The glare was so intense that Florence froze in her tracks.

Chapter 3
"Get off!"
Those two words were enough to scare Florence motionless.
When she finally got her wits back, Florence began screaming, "Help! He's murdering my son!"
Soon, the Quine Group's security guards gathered around them.
"What happened, Mrs. Nicholson?" The head of the security guards recognized Florence and stood at her side immediately.
"Tom! Lock this guy up at once!" Florence yelled.
Just as they were about to act, a voice sounded.
"What do you think you're doing?"
A curvaceous woman in a silver dress barged into the crowd with her bodyguards. With her lips painted a fiery red, she was stunningly beautiful. Every move she made was alluring.
"She's gorgeous!"
The security guards stared at her dumbly.
"Mr. Rhys, are you okay?"
The woman ignored the looks and headed straight toward Dustin.
"Who are you?"
Dustin narrowed his eyes at her, his anger dissipating.
"Nice to meet you, my name is Natasha Harmon. Mr. Anderson sent me here," the woman said with a smile.
"Natasha Harmon? Is she the heiress of the Harmon family?"
"Oh, my God! Why is she here?"
Natasha Harmon was a well-known name around the city. She was pretty, influential, and smart. At 22 years old, she had already gained control of the Harmon Group and built her own business empire within five years.
"Ah, it's you."
Dustin nodded.
He had heard of Natasha before, but he hadn't expected her to be involved with Hunter.
"Mr. Rhys, please wait in the car. I'll deal with this."
Natasha snapped her fingers. Behind her, her four bodyguards whipped out their batons and advanced toward the crowd. The security guards back off.
"After you, Mr. Rhys."
Seeing that no one else dared to move, Natasha smiled and held out a hand to lead Dustin to the car. Without a word, Dustin picked up the pieces of his necklace and left with Natasha. No one dared to stop him.
"What's wrong? Why did you just let them go?" Florence yelled when she realized what was happening.
None of them dared to lay a finger on Natasha.
The security guards looked at each other, not daring to speak.
"What happened?"
Dahlia and Lyra came out to see what the commotion was.
"Dahlia! You're here! Look at how badly your brother's been beaten up!"
As soon as Florence saw her, she began to cry, as if she was the one who had been beaten up.
"What happened? Who did this?"
Seeing her brother's wounds, Dahlia's expression became chilly.
"It's that Dustin!" Florence cried. "We met him just now. James picked up a crystal necklace that he dropped and tried to give it back to him, but he tried to turn it around and said that your brother stole it from him. After some argument, he beat up James! My poor James, he just did what he thought was right. What has he done to deserve this?"
She began crying harder.
"Dustin?" Dahlia frowned.
After three years of marriage, she knew Dustin's personality well. He was normally calm and collected and rarely lost his temper. He wouldn't just beat someone up for no reason.
"Look at your brother! Is the truth not clear enough? If you don't believe me, ask the security guards. They saw everything!" Saying this, Florence gave the security guards a look.
"Ms. Nicholson, your mother is right."
The head of security understood his assignment perfectly.
"You hear that? I'm not wronging that person!" He even has a new woman now!"
Hearing this, Dahlia frowned. Could Dustin really do such a thing? Maybe he was furious about the divorce and wanted to exact revenge on her through her brother. If so, then she had to admit that she had misjudged him!

Chapter 4
"Mom, take James to the hospital. I'll deal with this."
"What do you think, Lyra?"
Dahlia rubbed her temples. She felt a headache coming on.
"It's obvious, isn't it? It was Dustin who assaulted them first. The security guards were witnesses, so that can't be a lie," Lyra said.
"But my mother's not exactly an honest person…" Dahlia began. She knew her mother and brother well. They were a hot-tempered and ruthless duo.
"Either way, it's still wrong for him to throw the first punch!" Lyra said righteously.
Dahlia's frown deepened along with her doubts. Lyra was right. It would seem like her decision to divorce him was right.
She took out her phone and called Dustin. At the same time, Dustin was sitting in a silver Bentley and frowned when he saw the call coming in. Despite his reluctance, he still picked up the call.
"Dustin, I need an explanation!" Dahlia demanded. "Are you taking revenge on my family just because I divorced you?"
Hearing this, Dustin was taken aback. He hadn't expected Dahlia to be so aggressive. She hadn't even stopped to listen to what he had to say. After three years of marriage, she was treating him as if he was a mere stranger, or worse.
"Dustin, I'll give you another chance. Go to the hospital right now and apologize to James, and I'll pretend that nothing happened. Otherwise…"
"Otherwise what?" Dustin retorted. "Are you going to call the police on me, or hire someone to take me out?"
"Dustin! Are you really going to throw away my goodwill?" Dahlia snapped.
"Goodwill? Are you sure it's goodwill?"
"You…" Dahlia's retort was cut off as Dustin hung up.
She almost threw out her phone in anger. Dahlia had always been good at hiding her true emotions. It was one of the reasons why she had managed to get to where she was today. But right now, she was having a little trouble in that regard.
"How rude of him." Lyra was about to say more when Dahlia stopped her.
"That's enough of this. I need to work on more important matters, like the charity ball with the Harmon family."
"The charity ball? Has that got anything to do with our partners?"
"That's right. I just received news that the Harmon family has shortlisted the Quine Group. If we do well at this ball, we could be the Harmon family's next partners!"
"That's great! I'll go make the arrangements right now!"..
After hanging up the call, Dustin arrived at Swinton Primary Hospital. Natasha brought him into a VIP ward, where an old man was laying on the bed, looked dying. Several doctors surrounded him, but none of them looked optimistic.
"Natasha! You're finally here!"
Suddenly, a young woman ran up to them. She was the second daughter of the Harmon family, Ruth Harmon, and the old man on the bed was Andrew Harmon, her grandfather.
"Ms. Harmon, we've already done everything we could." a doctor said helplessly.
"Mr. Rhys will take over." Natasha said coldly.
"Mr. Rhys?"
Dustin looked too young to be a good doctor.
To be frank, she wasn't quite sure about Dustin either, but if Hunter recommended him, then he had to have his merits.
"Could Mr. Anderson have been conned?" Ruth still looked doubtful. "Hey, you, are you really a doctor?"
"I know a little about medicine," Dustin replied.
"Just a little?" Ruth pouted.
"I won't believe in you unless you can prove to me," Ruth said with her head held high.
"How?" Dustin asked nonchalantly.
"Tell me what ails me. If you're correct, then I'll believe in you!"
"Really? Show me your tongue," Dustin said.
Ruth did as he said.
After a quick look, Dustin said without any hesitation, "Your hormones are imbalanced, so you should be experiencing irregular periods and migraines. You're also showing some signs of food poisoning, which has affected your digestive system. You've been having diarrhea, haven't you? Oh, another thing, you have hemorrhoids…"
The more he spoke, the tenser Ruth became.

Chapter 5
"How did you know that?"
Ruth's eyes almost bulged out of her head. Everything from the migraines to diarrhea was spot on.
"There's a lot you can tell about a person just by looking at them," Dustin said nonchalantly.
"Do you believe him now, Ruth?" Natasha smiled. At the same time, she also heaved a silent sigh of relief. Thank goodness Dustin knew what he was doing.
"He just got lucky!" Ruth refused to admit defeat.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Rhys. Please ignore her," Natasha told Dustin apologetically.
"It's fine. Shall we begin?"
Dustin didn't take Ruth's attitude to heart. He walked over to Andrew and gave him a thorough check-up. It didn't take long for him to find out what was going on. It was obvious to him that the old man had been poisoned. Thankfully, it was discovered early on, so he could still be saved.
"Ms. Harmon, can you get me some silver acupuncture needles?" Dustin asked.
"No problem."
Dustin nodded his thanks, then began. His actions were light but firm as his hands flew deftly. With his skill, his patient would not feel any pain from the needles. Seeing this, Natasha was surprised.
"He's good!"
Once all 16 needles were in place, Dustin breathed a sigh of relief. It had been some time since he last performed acupuncture, but thankfully he was still familiar.
"Is that all? Nothing changed!" Ruth looked confused.
"It'll take about two hours to drain the toxin from his body; you shouldn't remove the needles before the two hours are up, or there might be serious side effects!"
Ruth pouted.
"I need to go to the bathroom. Please watch over him while I'm gone," Dustin told the occupants of the room before leaving.
Not long after he left, a group of doctors barged in. These were some of the most skilled doctors in the hospital. A balding man led the troupe.
"I'm Jansen, the executive director of the hospital. I'm here on orders to treat Old Mr. Harmon," the balding man introduced.
"Ah, you're that famous Dr. Jansen! The best doctor in Swinton!" Ruth was ecstatic.
Dr. Jansen said proudly, "yes, I am."
Ruth immediately moved out of his way. Clearly, she trusted Dr. Jansen more than she trusted a youngster like Dustin.
Dr. Jansen nodded. When he got nearer to the bed, he frowned. "What's with the needles? What nonsense is this?"
As he spoke, he made to remove the needles.
"Wait!" Seeing this, Natasha stopped him. "Dr. Jansen, I've already hired another healer. He said that my grandfather has been poisoned. We cannot remove these needles as there might be serious side effects."
"A pack of lies!" Dr. Jansen snorted derisively. "If these needles can cure ailments, then what are doctors for?"
"That's right!" Ruth agreed. "Natasha, that Dustin barely looks a day over 20. How could he be a skilled healer? Please don't tell me you believe what he said."
"Ms. Harmon, all of the best doctors in Swinton are here." Dr. Jansen took the next word. "Please don't believe in these superstitions. It would just make things worse!"
Their confidence weakened Natasha's resolve. However, she insisted, "We should wait for Mr. Rhys to come back."
"Ms. Harmon, I'm busy. If I pull out these needles and anything happens to Old Mr. Harmon, it'll be on me." With that, Dr. Jansen pulled out all of the needles.
As soon as the needles were removed, something strange happened.
Andrew's body began convulsing. His face began to turn black, and blood gushed out from his nose and mouth. The machines on either side of the bed began beeping.
"What's going on?" Dr. Jansen was surprised by the turn of events.
"What's this, Dr. Jansen?" Natasha frowned.
"That's strange, he was fine earlier…" Dr. Jansen felt uneasy.
"Sir, the patient is coding!"
"Quick, get the machines!"
Without delay, Dr. Jansen began emergency resuscitation. Even after a lot of effort, Andrew did not seem to get better at all. In fact, his stats were declining uncontrollably. Dr. Jansen was panicking.
"Ms. Harmon, I think… I think Old Mr. Harmon is… dying…"
"What?" Both Natasha and Ruth were shocked.

Chapter 6
"You liar!" Natasha was livid. She grabbed Dr. Jansen by the collar and yelled, "I told you not to remove the needles! Now that the worst has happened, this is all you have to say?"
"No, this has got nothing to do with me!" Dr. Jansen shook his head fervently. "It must be that other healer. His needles must have caused this to happen!"

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07/10/2023

"I am pregnant" she told her man. He smiled and kissed her lips then said, "Correction", My love "WE ARE PREGNANT". That child in your womb is half of me and half of you. I will not let you go through pregnancy alone. I may not carry our child, but I will carry you and our child in my heart. Baby, I care and I will stay and be the father of our child.
---
If you are praying for a day like this kindly type amen and share this lovely picture.

06/10/2023

"Lucian, you were uncontactable during your seven years in the army. Freya was involved in a car accident and is now paralyzed. She was driven out by the family. She's alone and living a miserable life."

Lucian Gray and his mother were gathered before his father's tombstone on the outskirts of Sioux.

Lucian could not help the full-body shudder that ran through him. There was an unconcealable horror expressed through his eyes. He turned to his mother, Lilian Seymour, and asked, "How is that possible, Mom? I haven't heard anything when I was in the troops…"

"Much has happened in the seven years you've been gone. She kept writing to you a year after you left but every letter seemed to have disappeared into nothing. There was no news."

Paralyzed…

She's confined to a wheelchair, lonely, and unable to return home.

What has Freya experienced while I've been gone? Seven years…

"It doesn't matter even if you're kicked out of the family, Lucian. I, Freya, am not afraid of anything. I'll give up everything I have as long as you love me. It doesn't matter what difficulties lie ahead, I won't be afraid as long as I have you by my side."

"Promise me that you would never leave me no matter what."

His eyes reddened as tears of guilt began to build up at the mere thought of Freya's words.

Lucian had been the eldest son of the Gray family of Sioux seven years ago. His father was a well-known big shot not just within the city. He could stand toe-to-toe with those of Hohenwald. What awaited him, however, was a spectacular setup where he died horribly in the streets. His cause of death was a mystery. Both he and his mother were expelled from the family following the incident with nothing to their names. They were reduced to the bottom rung of society.

Freya, who was in love with Lucian, was not just a pretty face at school. She was the eldest daughter of the Harrison family. She continued to shine following her graduation and became vice president of the Harrison Group following the success of a large-scale project that was worth millions. Freya and he were people who belonged to different worlds.

She, regardless of her family's opposition, chose to give everything up to marry him in secret with papers to show for it.

When the Harrisons learned of the matter, the head of the family was furious and forcibly separated the two by taking her away.

Lucian decided to join the army after wallowing in his misery for a while in hopes that he would be able to make a name for himself by defending the country at the front lines. He wanted their union to be blessed.

His rare talents were quickly unearthed after he joined the military. He had become part of the special forces within the year. He cut off all contact with the outside world and was secretly deployed to the northern borders.

He fought bravely, won his battles, slain foreign invaders, quashed the traitors in their ranks, and safeguarded Vandergrift in the seven years.

King Vandergrift himself had personally canonized him as the Infernal War God!

"There's also something else I have to tell you, Lucian. You and Fay have a seven…"

His phone began to ring before Lilian could finish. It was an unfamiliar number.

"Hello? Is this Lucian Gray? I heard you were leaving the army and returning home. Divorce my Mom. I don't want a father as heartless as you. I feel ashamed just thinking about it…"

"I can take care of Mom just fine. I don't need you being my father."

There was a childish voice tinged with determination and hatred on the phone. They did not hesitate to hang up without waiting for him to respond. He tried to call them back only to find that the phone had been switched off.

His breaths quickened as he processed the words. He felt nervous.

Father??

I don't need a you being my father.

He turned his attention back to his mother. "Mom, I… I have a daughter?"

"That's right." Lilian sighed and nodded. "Freya secretly gave birth a year after you left. This angered Old Mr. Harrison and led to her being driven out of her home. She came here with her three-month-old daughter to look for you. She tried to establish contact for two years but nothing came of it. She left discouraged. She got into a car accident not two years later and has been paralyzed since…"

"Both Freya and Minnie were thrown out of the family after the accident. Minnie had to be the one to set up a stall in the market to earn money just so they could live. I've been doing my best to offer them a modest contribution as well to make up for all we've done to her."

"There are also local hoodlums who often pick on Minnie and demand protection money. They often beat her up too."

Lucian's head went blank at the revelation.

Freya birthed him a daughter and was now an invalid. The mother-daughter duo was thrown out of their home and relied on a seven-year-old to earn their keep.

Tears rolled down his cheeks in a flood of guilt. Freya had given everything up for love and had to birth the product of their love in secret.

He forgot their promise and disappeared from her life in her most difficult moment.

How much despair could she have been in?

His hands curled into fists. "How dare they treat them that way!" His veins rippled with anger.

Driven out of their home…

A fatherless child who's abused in the streets.

"Ah!!!"

His eyes were bloodshot as he roared into the sky. She was only a seven-year-old child who not only had to earn money to support both herself and her mother and had to suffer the abuse thrown her way. He was going to kill those who hurt his wife and daughter. He was going to make sure that he wasn't even going to leave a body behind for a proper burial.

"What are you doing, Lucian?"

Lilian immediately asked as Lucian sped away.

"I'm going to Freya and Minnie. I owe them far too much… Far too much!"

He left the cemetery and rushed back to the city in a blaze of glory.

…

Meanwhile, at a lively marketplace.

"My jewelry is pretty. I went to the next city over with my Mom to get it."

"Take a look, Miss. It'll look nice on you."

Minnie was in a patchwork of a dress and calling to the people in the streets in her child-like voice. Every time she'd pass a woman by, she would actively sell her products to them. Her eyes demonstrated a maturity that did not match her age.

She was well-known in the marketplace as the seven-year-old girl with a paralyzed mother trying to earn a living.

Many girls passing through would buy a few jewelry pieces to support her. Minnie was the stubborn sort that refused money given for free.

Freya was in her wheelchair, gaze dull as she watched her daughter. She couldn't help the tears rolling down her cheeks.

She's seven…

She's unable to provide Minnie with a good life as a mother and instead had to rely on her just to survive. She felt it better if she were dead rather than alive. If it weren't for Minnie, she would've committed su***de.

"Look who it is. The fatherless child and her mother are out here again? How much did you earn today? Got enough to feed yourselves hopefully."

A man with his hair swept back dressed in a suit came up to the girl with a wicked smile.

"What are you doing here, Calvin?"

Anger surfaced in Freya's eyes.

Calvin Harrison, her uncle's son, was the spendthrift of the family. He was the one who planned the accident that ruined her. Freya had shone far too brightly in the business world and threatened his position. It contributed to the reason why he would so thoroughly destroy her.

"Why can't I be here? It's not like this marketplace is yours."

He crushed a jewelry piece underfoot and laughed. "Hahaha, I'm so sorry. I accidentally broke one. But that's okay. I have lots of money. Here."

He took out a wad of cash from his wallet and threw the stack on Minnie's head while cursing, "Kneel! Do it and this is all yours. This should be more than enough to last you for a few months, right?"

"I don't want it."

Minnie bit back.

"Being mouthy now, huh?"

Slap!

He smirked and backhanded the girl, sending her sprawling to the ground.

Chapter 2 I Hate You

"Minnie!"

The wheelchair-bound Freya could only cry out in anguish. She was unable to lift even a single finger. "I'm warning you, Calvin! Touch Minnie again and I'll call the cops!"

"You're threatening me?"

Calvin cursed and kicked her wheelchair over, sending her toppling over into a pool of mud.

He began to repeatedly kick the woman. "How dare you threaten me? Do you think you're still the high and lofty Ms. Harrison? Let's see you fight back now!"

"You stop it!"

"Mom!"

Minnie threw herself in front of Freya and weathered a few blows. She gritted her teeth and refused to make a sound. She instead jabbered on, "You can hit me. Don't hit my Mommy. Stop hitting her… She's ill. Just hit me instead…"

"Minnie!"

Freya felt so useless as she lay on the floor. She couldn't even stand up and do anything but watch her daughter be beaten. She couldn't even protect her own daughter.

"Help! Please save my daughter!"

She begged for help from the crowd of onlookers.

"Let's just see them try. I'm the son of the Harrison family. Everyone who crosses me will wish they were dead!" He roared with fury.

This scared everyone in the crowd. No one stepped forward to help the mother-daughter duo. The man was from a powerful family after all. The rest of them were just ordinary citizens who couldn't afford to poke the hornet's nest.

"Ahhh!" She cried out in despair, "I hate you, Lucian Gray! I hate you!"

I hate you!

Freya's eyes were filled with overwhelming anger. She screamed in anguish at the group of indifferent onlookers.

I hate…

I hate that heartless man who ruined my life.

She had been a school belle. Her talents in running a business shone after her graduation. She successfully served as the president of the Harrison Group and was worth millions. Her future was one of endless possibilities.

Yet, she gave up everything she had for love and eloped to the countryside with Lucian and got married.

She gave everything she had to him but all she received in return was him being gone from her life.

She found out about her pregnancy only after the Harrisons had forcefully removed her from his side. The fetus was a product of the love between her and Lucian, which was why she concealed the truth that she had given birth to Minnie and incurred the wrath of the Harrison family. It made her the joke of Sioux. She lost her former glory overnight.

She didn't care. She brought the then three-month-old Minnie in search of him as a surprise only to hear that he had enlisted into the army.

She wrote letter after letter but it was as if they had all been swallowed up in the void. No news ever came back.

It had been seven years since then!

"Stop it, Calvin. Everyone here knows Freya and Minnie are well-known people who are suffering hardship. Stop picking on them."

A woman carrying a basket couldn't stand it anymore

"You want to die so badly, huh?"

He jabbed a finger in her face. "Trying to offend the Harrisons now, huh?"

"I…"

The woman trembled in fright and retreated into the crowd. She was just an ordinary person who couldn't afford to go against a family like the Harrisons. She had no choice but to back down.

"I'm going to break her legs today. Let's see who can say anything about it."

"I am the law here." He snarled arrogantly.

"You've got guts."

Suddenly, there came an enraged yell from nearby.

Everyone turned to look to see a military vehicle drive up at a breakneck speed before stopping.

Lucian, who was in military boots and a dark green coat, jumped out of the car. His firm facial features exuded the air of a king. It was as if the air around them had stilled by his mere presence.

"L…Lucian."

Freya, still lying in the ground, was shocked to see him. She had waited for seven long years. He was finally back.

Why did you even come back for…?

She burst into tears as the light in her eyes went out. She lay motionless on the ground as if she were dead.

Minnie, who was lying protectively on top of Freya, noticed that something was wrong and looked up to see Lucian. She trembled when she noticed the familiarity. Icy anger surfaced in her eyes.

She understood in an instant that the man before her was her father that had gone off the grid for seven long years.

No. I don't have a father.

I'm a kid who doesn't have a father. Everyone knows that.

"Who are you?"

Calvin stared at Lucian and came to a realization. His words were mocking. "Oh… And here I was wondering who you were. If it isn't the exiled Mr. Lucian himself. I heard you joined the army. Done with military services?"

He was looking at the mother-daughter duo lying in a heap on the floor.

Lucian didn't pay Calvin any attention. He could see Minnie's eyes clear with hatred for him. Guilt overcame him to see those eyes on a little girl.

He had wanted to avenge his family but Minnie's hatred and Freya's indifference stopped him in his tracks.

He was no longer a war god. He had become an irresponsible husband and father.

"Bullying my daughter?"

He glared at Calvin and spat through gritted teeth.

"Hehehehe." Calvin, with his hands folded across his chest, glanced condescendingly down at Minnie and guffawed. "Those were just a few kicks. Let's see her upset me again!"

"How dare you!"

Lucian, who'd been largely silent, let out a heart-wrenching scream as tears rolled down his cheeks.

He rushed up to Calvin at the speed of sound.

Bam!

His fist connected with Calvin's chest.

Chapter 3 You're Not My Father

Calvin landed on the ground in a heap and coughed up blood. Lucian didn't let up. His fists continued to rain down on the man.

One…

Two…

Three…

The beaten Calvin was frantically crying for mercy but Lucian had gone rogue. He didn't stop no matter how he begged. It took knocking Calvin unconscious for him to stop.

"Freya… Minnie…"

He turned around and looked at the mother-daughter duo, panting.

He shuddered at the sight of the hatred in the girl's eyes. He felt remorseful but didn't know what to do.

"Let's go, Minnie."

Freya said to her daughter. She didn't want to take another look at Lucian.

"Okay." Minnie nodded and used all her strength to help her back up into her wheelchair.

He didn't hesitate to rush up to Freya to help. The indifferent face covered in mud made his heart ache. The tears would not stop.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"I'm so sorry, Fay."

He took out a packet of tissues from his pocket.

"Here. Let me help you."

He gently wiped down her face. He never could've imagined that the one proud president of the Harrison Group would end up this way, paralyzed and wheelchair-bound and barely looking alive.

Freya remained impassive as she allowed him to wipe her face. There was not a single shred of emotion on her face.

It was a look only a woman who had given up would have.

"Hands off my Mom."

Minnie pushed him away.

Lucian fell back into the same pool of mud. His eyes were rimmed red as he watched his daughter. He picked up a gift that he had bought for her and said with a shaky voice, "Come here, sweetheart. Daddy will clean you up too."

"You are not my father."

Her eyes were calm despite the resentment burning in them. She began to speak as if she were an adult.

"If you are my father, where were you when my mother had a car accident, suffered a brain hemorrhage, and was on the operating table for three days and nights?"

"If you are my father, where were you when my mother was abandoned by her family and left to fend for herself in the streets with nothing to our names?"

"If you are my father, where were you when Mom was bullied?"

"If you are my father, where were you when Mom suffered a high fever with no money for treatment and I was left begging on my knees at the hospital with no one to turn to?"

"I can take care of Mom just fine. You're just getting in the way!"

Minnie's every word were knives that ruthlessly stabbed themselves into his heart. The pain suffocated him. He wanted to tell her how he'd been gone defending the country all these years and had no idea that they would fall to such hardship.

He knew any explanation would be futile. The hatred in her eyes told her everything he had to know. To Minnie, he was an irresponsible father and a dispensable person. She saw him as her enemy.

This was his first time meeting his daughter but it turned out to be a meeting between foes. It was a painful thing to experience as a father. He'd rather face a thousand mercenaries coming for his throat.

He had no idea what to do with a daughter that hated him to his core.

Guilt flooded his senses as tears rolled down his cheeks.

"Stop it, Minnie."

The silently sobbing Freya gently shook her head at her daughter. "I was the one who picked him. No one else is to blame."

"Let's go, Mom. I'll be the one to protect you. We don't need anyone else."

Minnie skillfully packed up the jewelry and shoved them into the cloth bag behind the wheelchair and left with Freya. She was merely seven but the way she wheeled the chair indicated that she had strength far greater than those her age.

Lucian screwed his eyes shut as the two departed. Tears continued to fall. He had never cried no matter how tired he was and how much suffering he went through back in the military and yet, he was crying in the face of his wife and daughter who hated him.

I'm so sorry, Freya… Minnie…

"I'm back now. Neither you nor your Mom will suffer again, Minnie."

Lucian immediately thought of something. He took out a card from his coat pocket, and said, "This is the money I earned as a soldier. It can buy you a lot of clothes, snacks, and even a house. I'll take care of both of you. Please allow me to do that."

There was a quiver in his voice.

He had no idea how to make up for the hurt he had caused them besides handing them his bank card.

Minnie only grew angrier. She slapped it away. "Keep it to your own! We don't need your money. Better a poor mom than a rich dad like you. I'll never forgive you no matter how rich you are. I'll buy Mom a house and more clothes. We don't need you…"

"Let's go, Mom."

The girl wheeled the chair forward and took large strides away.

The tears did not stop as he knelt in the mud to stare at the card that Minnie had so vehemently rejected. Would she ever forgive her father?

"Argh!"

He broke down under everyone's watchful eyes.

Yes, he was now the renowned Infernal War God in charge of millions of soldiers and wielded considerable power on all levels of society but what did it matter if he was unable to gain the forgiveness of both the woman he loved and his daughter?

What did it matter even if I have all this?

"I'm back, Faye, Minnie. No one will ever lay a finger on you again. I swear I'll do everything in my power to make up for what I've done. I'll give you everything you want no matter what. The world will be your oyster," he declared with eyes full of guilt.

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