Tabitha's POV
Dad looked up at the sky and said, "Then let me ask you, what would happen if I didn't let her go?"
I remained silent, thinking about this question in my mind.
Dad continued speaking, "I'd only get resentment and silent treatment. She wouldn't yell at me, but every day after that, she would hate me and this unfair world.
"There would be no light in her eyes, no smile on her lips. And even though I kept her by my side, I couldn't have her heart. All I got would be a broken family. Even you would have to grow up discreetly.
"I never forget how carefully you tried to please her. You were so little back then. While other kids your age enjoyed a carefree childhood, you had to do everything you could to win her favor, but in the end, you failed, right?
"In this suffocating family, a battlefield without smoke, it wouldn't be long before you became like her.
"The reason why peacocks are beautiful is because they have a vast expanse of space. If you lock them in a small cage, where they can't even spread their tails, how can they look beautiful?
"And I chose to let her go. Even if she didn't love me, she wouldn't hate me. She found happiness, joy, and freedom, and I gained spiritual satisfaction.
"The only regret is that you don't have your mother's accompany. So, you see, not everything in this world has a result, and not everything can be obtained with equal value through effort. It depends on how we choose."
I imagined the situation back then. It was like now me being made to be with Derek.
"Dad, you must have loved Mom very much, right?"
"Of course. How could I not love her? From the moment I first saw her, she deeply captivated me. Your mother is like the moonlight in the sky, pure and noble. She is perfect in every way, except for not loving me.
"I was lucky enough to marry her by then and I spent all those years treating her right. However, she didn't love me back. I guessed I could only set her free. After I learned that she later lived a happy life, I believe I have done the right thing."
I continued to ask, "After Mom left, you never remarry. Haven't you met someone you liked later?"
When I mentioned this topic, I noticed that Dad's face changed, his eyes dull and lifeless.
He looked at me, heaved a sigh, and finally spoke the truth.
"There is actually something I planned to tell you a long time ago, but you were too young back then, so I thought I would wait a couple of years before telling you. I never expected what had happened later on. Alas..."
Dad shook his head helplessly. "Such being the case, I think I should let you know now. A few years ago, I had feelings for a girl. She was a tad older than you, very beautiful and adorable. Her eyes were always sparkling. She was a rogue I had rescued. She grew up in Hope Ranch. Unfortunately..."
At this point, Dad's face became increasingly worse.
I knew that the person he was talking about was Elena's body double, who faked her death. I didn't expect Dad to bring up this matter, so I continued to ask, "What happened afterward?"
"She was intelligent, but I had to look out for the Silver Moon Pack."
"Do you like her?"
Dad looked at the white clouds in the sky, seemingly reminiscing about something. "I must have liked her, too. I felt very happy when I was with her, and I started to take this relationship seriously."
Speaking of this, he shifted his gaze to my face. "I was also afraid that you would mind it. However, my concern only pushed her farther away, and she left in the end. When I found her again later, she was already pregnant."
My heart skipped a beat. A feeling of shock surged up.
I could feel that my eyes were wide open.
Because this news was so startling, I couldn't control my reaction.
I trembled and asked, "So, was the baby yours?"