"I understand, but if I don't visit him during such an important festival, I'll feel guilty. On my engagement day, my dad gave me so many gifts—he gave me almost everything he had. He's truly a great father, and I want to be a good daughter in return."
Catherine was in a dilemma.
Blake knew Catherine had fully forgiven and accepted Halsey for abandoning her.
"Fine, I'll go with you to visit him." Blake made his decision.
"You'll accompany me?" Catherine was surprised since Blake had a grudge against her father.
"Yes. I don't want you to go alone, but as his daughter, you must visit him." Blake didn't want his past issues to affect her. She had the right to love her father.
"What about the kids?" Catherine asked suddenly.
"Leave them here. Let my mom and grandma take care of them." Blake didn't want to put the children in danger.
Catherine agreed that leaving the kids behind would be safer.
Given Blake's ongoing struggle with Richard and Richard's despicable tactics, she was unsure what else he might do.
Having the children cared for by the two elders, with Abigail's help, gave Catherine peace of mind.
"Alright, we won't bring the kids. Can we leave earlier?" Catherine was grateful for his agreement.
Blake gave her a peck on the forehead. "Let's go early tomorrow. Need to get gifts for your dad? Just ask Dowen to help you pick some from the gift room. Take whatever you think suits him."
"But these are your things. I want to buy gifts for my dad myself." Catherine felt uneasy using the Royal family's possessions to express her filial piety.
"I'm yours, aren't my things yours too?" Blake's displeasure showed on his handsome face at her hesitation.
Catherine laughed. "If it's for my own use, I'd take it without hesitation. But these are for my dad. Given your past issues, I feel awkward using them."
"The past is over." Blake raised an eyebrow and added, "I should thank him for taking care of my mom all these years. Without him, she might have suffered more back then."
Catherine smiled hopefully. "So you don't resent my dad anymore?"
"I can't say I don't resent him at all." Blake couldn't just erase the pain and resentment from his youth, influenced by Halsey. The wounds and grudges from the past aren't easily erased.
The only way forward was to avoid Halsey and be strangers, preventing further conflicts.
In the end, Catherine had Dowen take her to the storage room to choose gifts.
She was amazed by the variety of valuable gifts in the large room.
Though living in the Royal family, Catherine didn't manage the household, so this sight shocked her.
"All the gifts here are excellent. Take as many as you like. Alpha Blake said so." Dowen smiled beside her.
Catherine, feeling more embarrassed, picked a few items.
At dinner, Blake announced their plan. Patricia remained silent but reminded them to be cautious when leaving.
It seemed she didn't oppose their visit.
Abigail, now living in the Royal family, took charge of the children's care, from playing to bathing.
Catherine couldn't help even if she wanted to.
That night, Abigail, in her pajamas, knocked on Catherine's door and invited her to her room.
"Catherine, your dad will be thrilled to see you," Abigail spoke softly.
"It's my duty. He's not young anymore. I can't always ask him to come see me," Catherine replied softly.
"True. Your dad seems healthy, but he has a chronic illness. His stomach is delicate, and his heart needs medication. I used to make sure he took his pills, but I'm not sure if he's been compliant recently. He often ignores doctors' advice," Abigail mentioned Halsey with a gentle expression, revealing her deep understanding of him, which made her speech unintentionally more nagging.
Listening to Abigail, Catherine was filled with emotion and concern. "Rest assured. I'll remind him to take his medicine when I visit."
"I know you'll get through to him. After your hard - won reunion, he'll surely want to stay healthy," Abigail nodded, her eyes welling up.
Thinking of their past love and how they now struggle to express concern, a pang of sorrow arose in her heart.