Daniel Carter turned back to look at me, then got out of the car and opened the back door. He bent down to look at me, cautiously asking, "Do you want to come out and soak up some sun?" The weather is great today, and though there’s wind on Larwynn Avenue, the sunshine is pleasantly warm. I nodded and was helped out of the car by him. Sitting at the front of the car, we looked at the vast expanse of the river and quietly bathed in the sun for a while. Then he turned to me with concern, "Feeling better now?" "Your father got sick in prison?" "Yes, I only found out yesterday." Now I understand why Shirley Turner left my office so easily yesterday; she had planned for this all along. Daniel paused briefly, then asked me, "What do you plan to do?" "Handle it coldly." I uttered these three words without hesitation. He slightly furrowed his brows, reminding me, "But your stepmother obviously won’t let go of you." I was silent for a long time, knowing he meant well, yet still felt resistant inside. I turned to look at him. Under the bright sunlight, we squinted slightly, meeting each other’s gaze for a moment. With some distance and stiffness, I said, "This is my family matter; can you let me handle it myself?" As soon as these words were out, his always handsome and gentle face visibly lost some color. I felt miserable inside, so I turned my gaze back to the vast river. Although my original family is a mess, well known by all. I still don’t want Daniel Carter to directly involve himself, to witness the filth and broken ugliness firsthand. Who doesn’t want to maintain their dignity? Especially me, accustomed to being strong since childhood. Daniel’s conditions were worlds apart from mine; in Jessica Sawyer’s words, I wasn’t even worthy of polishing his shoes. How could I have the audacity to let him face my unspeakable family and deal with those parasite-like "family members"? Read full story at novel⸺fire.net I didn’t want my already fragile dignity to shatter even more thoroughly before him. Perhaps my overly cold attitude made Daniel feel my rejection. He was silent for a moment, then nodded and kindly said, "Alright, handle it yourself; if you need my help, just say so." I was startled, looked back at him, and emotionally said, "Daniel Carter, why are you so good? You know, you’re so good that I feel guilty, always thinking I’m being unreasonable, yet you still tolerate me." Daniel suddenly smiled, a smile brighter than the sunlight, making one’s heart stir. "Silly girl." He raised his hand to pinch my face, affectionately tugging, "You’re my girlfriend; if I don’t treat you well, why would I be with you?" "But you tolerate so much from me, making me increasingly unreasonable." "Are you that kind of person?" he raised an eyebrow. I replied earnestly, "Hard to say. Isn’t it said that genetic traits are hard to change? I have a father like that; maybe deep down I have his bad genes too, just not showing yet." Daniel was amused and exasperated, "You’ve been watching too many short videos, haven’t you? Why can’t you possibly inherit your mother’s good genes?" I smiled bitterly, "Half and half." "Silly girl, just by knowing yourself, you can’t be that kind of person. Besides, I won’t let you become that kind of person." He spoke more and more gently, then stood up and embraced me, tenderly saying, "I understand why you don’t want me to interfere in these matters. It’s actually okay. The more I know, the more I’ll feel for you; how could I possibly look down on you because of it?" I leaned against his chest, feeling the vibrations from his chest, waves of guilt surging within. Thinking about how good he is to me, yet I keep striving to draw boundaries with him, I feel a deep sense of guilt. But I really can’t completely open up to him. "Daniel Carter..." I called hoarsely against his chest. "Hmm?" he bowed his head, breathing by my ear. I pushed him away slightly, took a deep breath to calm my emotions, and weakly asked, "Aren’t you even a bit angry?" He raised his hand, wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes, and calmly said, "You’re already troubled enough with this, how could I add to your misery by being angry with you?" I looked at him, deeply moved. I recalled a saying—look for someone inherently good, not just someone who’s good to you. Being only good to you, he may be catering to your preferences, possibly pretending deliberately. While someone inherently good, their essence is clean and pure. How lucky am I to have met such a person in my youth. Though time has worn us down and sent us adrift in the sea of people, fate has been kind, bringing him back to me. The time spent with him is a healing process for my past. "Daniel Carter, thank you, thank you for always remembering me, and thank you... for persistently waiting for me." Otherwise, we would have missed each other again. He sighed with a smile, embraced me once more, "You’re welcome, just accompany me well in the future, repaying me is enough." "Mm, certainly." I promised within his embrace. At this moment, I truly want to be with him forever, till the end of time. Back at the company, I called the lawyer over again. Seeking advice from Jason Miller on how to handle this situation. His illness is a fact I can’t escape. I can only try to take control, think of countermeasures in advance, to prevent Shirley Turner from catching me off guard again. However, upon understanding this, I realized the situation might be worse. The lawyer said, "Prisons are responsible for treating prisoners, but if the illness is severe and the prison hospital can’t handle it, they might allow medical parole." "So he’ll be released from prison?" I asked urgently. "Yes. For economic crimes like his, which are not severely harmful to society, medical parole can usually be applied for. For medical parole, the family has to bear the expenses, whereas in-prison treatment costs are covered by the state." The lawyer explained in detail, leaving me shocked. Since the in-prison treatment cost is covered by the state, why is Shirley Turner coming to me for money? Is she trying to deceive me again, or does she plan to apply for medical parole for Jason Miller? Before I figured this out, I received a call from my aunt, Evelyn Miller. Ever since I sold the trading company to her, we hadn’t been in touch. Seeing the caller ID, I sensed that it might have something to do with my scumbag dad. "Lily, how are you doing recently? Are you busy?" This aunt is quite interesting. Whenever she needs something from me, she always pretends to care about the younger generation first. If she truly cared, why disappear usually? I didn’t bother with her pretense, "Just say what you need." "Oh, nothing much, just checking in on you. I heard you have a new boyfriend. Just wanted to ask how your relationship is going and what your plans are..." I was quite irritated, having no time for her pleasantries, so I dismissively said, "It’s fine." "I heard the other family is remarkable. Their family... don’t they mind you’ve been divorced?" I couldn’t hold back and laughed, retorting, "What’s wrong with being divorced? It’s not like I committed murder or arson." Evelyn Miller complained, "You child, I’m sincerely concerned about you, and you act ungrateful." "Well, thanks for your concern. I’m busy, so I’ll hang up now." I was about to hang up when she quickly called out, "Lily, wait! I have something to say!" I reluctantly put the phone back to my ear, "Go ahead." "Well... you know your dad is sick, right? It’s quite serious." Sure enough, she just circled around to gossip and see me fail. Indeed, it’s about Jason Miller. "What disease does he have? Can he die before New Year?" I spoke harshly. Evelyn Miller got angry, "Lily, you’re crossing the line! After all, he’s your father. He gave you life and raised you. Even if you don’t pay him back, you shouldn’t be so vicious!" "I’m asking what disease he has and if it’s life-threatening. Isn’t that concern? How is it vicious?" This question left Evelyn speechless. After a moment of silence, she said, "Your dad has always had high blood pressure and diabetes, which you know. He managed them well outside, but prison is no place for people, and now his condition has worsened with serious complications. He can’t walk, and his cardiovascular system is failing." This was truly unexpected. Could it be that karma really exists? He betrayed the family back then, first being heartless, leading to my grandpa’s death from anger, and then causing my mom’s cancer from anger. After bringing Shirley Turner and the twins into our home, they all ganged up to humiliate me in every possible way. I remember one winter during a heavy snow, Shirley Turner stripped me and threw me into the freezing snow, barring me from entering the house. I also remember when Jason found me displeasing, he’d kick me into the dog cage to thoroughly reflect. And Sophie and Mason, I don’t know how many disgusting, horrifying things they threw into my room and bed from childhood to now. Are they all facing retribution now? Jason is seriously ill... Only Shirley and Mason are left. I couldn’t help but wonder how fate will repay them. "Lily? Lily? Did you hear me? Your dad wants to apply for medical parole. Shirley has already borrowed money from me to hire a lawyer. You’re the biological daughter, so caring for your father is your responsibility." I came back to my senses, finally understanding the ultimate purpose of Evelyn Miller’s call. It was to inform me that Shirley had already borrowed money from her, and she had done her utmost. Once my scumbag dad is released, he shouldn’t trouble her again. I, the biological daughter, must bear his medical expenses and care for him in his old age. But I’m no pushover, so I simply said, "He has a wife and son, isn’t it their turn?" "Isn’t Shirley working for you to pay off debts? Where would she get the money? As for that good-for-nothing Mason, it’d be good enough if he doesn’t cause trouble, expecting him?" Evelyn argued confidently. I sneered, "So the honest person has to suffer, is that it?" "This... can’t exactly—" "Aunt, my dad’s company is in your hands. As his biological sister, if you don’t save your own brother in his dire times, it might affect your business fortune."