17 When I returned to the living room, Dad had already calmed down, though the excitement in his eyes was still impossible to hide. He held my hand tightly and spoke with deep emotion. "Soleil, all these years, I've wronged you. I let you suffer." I shook my head, tears brimming in my eyes. "Dad, don't say that. We're family." Marley hurried over and threw her arms around me. "Soleil, from now on, we'll never be apart again." Wrapped in their warmth, I felt a happiness I had never known before. Standing to the side, Alec quietly watched our reunion, his gaze filled with tenderness and relief. "Uncle Jimmie, Soleil, I'll wait for you in the car," he said gently, before turning to leave. I nodded, gratitude swelling in my heart. As I caught up with Dad and Marley, I learned about everything that had happened over the years. After I left, Dad had finally recognized how deeply he had wronged my mother and seen through his other woman's true nature. n the end, he divorced her. As for Marley, though she had once suffered rejection and coldness from our stepmother, sh had persevered with strength and determination. n time, she won Dad's respect and approval. Hearing all this, my heart was a tangle of emotions-relief that Dad had finally awakened anc admiration for my sister's courage. Sweetie, are you living well now?" Dad suddenly asked. froze for a moment, then smiled softly. 'I'm fine, Dad. You don't have to worry." didn't mention the divorce. I didn't want to dampen the mood of our reunion. Dad looked at me, his eyes flickering with complicated emotions. 'Soleil, I know I made many mistakes before. But now, I want to make it up to you. Will you... give me that chance?" Looking at his aging face, filled with hope and longing, a warmth surged through me. "Dad, we're family. We'll always be family." I threw my arms around him, and at last, the tears I'd held back spilled over. At that moment, every grievance and every resentment I had melted away. All I wished for was that our family would never again be torn apart. Dad clutched me just as tightly, as though afraid I might slip away again. "From now on, sweetie, I'll take good care of you and your sister," he promised solemnly. I nodded, deeply moved. I could feel it-Dad truly regretted his mistakes and sincerely wanted to make amends. And both Marley and I were willing to give him that chance. The three of us sat together, reminiscing and imagining what the future might hold. Though the scars of yesterday could never fully fade, we believed that as long as we stood united, we could build something beautiful. Just then, Alec came back from the car. Seeing the harmony between us, a satisfied smile spread across his face. 'Uncle, Soleil, it's time to go," he reminded gently. looked up, meeting Alec's tender gaze, and gratitude welled up inside me. knew-throughout this entire journey, he had been by my side, quietly supporting me. Without him, I might never have survived the hardest days. Alec... thank you," I whispered. He only shook his head with a smile. Soleil, there's no need for thanks between us." At last, I felt as though I had been reborn. was finally free to begin a new life. And yet... there was still one matter weighing heavily on my heart.