It's been a couple of days. Adira was finally well and ready to be discharged. That morning, she sat on the bed while Bonnie packed up her things. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she thought of all that had happened during her stay in the hospital. Two days ago, Lancelot's mother actually sent her a text. In her words: "I was so worried about you, dear. I hope you're strong and better now. A shameless woman she was. Adira couldn't believe it didn't matter to her that she had caused an issue between Lancelot and Jardine. Of course, she should be aware, but typical Winslet would never care. She was too money-minded and didn't care if the other was hurting. And she must be stupid to think Adira will ever forget all she went through in her hands. It was only the beginning. She was bound to destroy her family. "I'm done, ma'am," Bonnie announced to her, standing with the bags beside her.Adira nodded and was about to leave the bed when a nurse walked in. "Good morning, ma'am. There are a few people here to see you. I know you've already been discharged, but I was wondering if you'd just meet with them before leaving." Adira was curious. Who was coming to pay her a visit when she was about to leave? "Okay. Let me let them in," she consented, and the nurse nodded and left. A few seconds later, three people walked in—three familiar faces she had been waiting for but wasn't ready to see. Her forehead wrinkled as her fists clenched. It was Freya, Elara, and her father. Her father. They walked in slowly, like they were scared of cracking the floor beneath them. Freya's eyes were already teary as they settled on Adira, and Elara had her head lowered in shame while her father wore a guilty look. Adira rose to her feet, trying all she could to steady her nerves."Adira." Freya's words came with a crack. "My God! You look so different." Adira said nothing. Her face remained emotionless and cold. Freya took a step forward. "I'm so sorry it took us this long to come see you. We wanted to..." "What're you doing here?" Adira cut her off, then shifted her gaze to her father. "Here to see if I've become a failure?" The old man dropped his head. For a few seconds, silence descended. Bonnie quickly understood it was family-related and decided to give them some privacy. So she walked out of the room. "You weren't there for me when I was at my lowest. Why on earth do you think I'll need you now when I'm at my peak?" Adira added brusquely. "Adira, please!" Freya winced. "I know we were pretty mean to you. We don't even deserve to be here right now. For a long time, we've been trying to muster the courage to come meet you and ask for your forgiveness. We know we wronged you a lot, but please find a place in your heart to..." "I won't," she interjected tersely. "Never, Freya. My heart is too heavy to forgive you all." She turned her attention to her father. "And you, father, you were actually worse than them. You were the worst because you watched them bully me but did nothing! From the very day you brought that woman in as your second wife, my life never remained the same. I was turned into a hated slave in your own house, yet you did nothing! You sat there, watched them, and did nothing! "Can you recall that evening that I came to you? I was just fifteen years old, and I came to you in tears, asking you to save me from the maltreatment. And can you recall what your response was? You, father, sent me away, telling me there was nothing you could do about it. How could a father be so weak? You were the only true family I had left, but you neglected me! So, even if they were the ones who bullied me, you committed the biggest offence against me."Tears glistened in her eyes—angry tears. The old man was being eaten up by guilt. For a while, he had his head lowered but finally forced himself to look up at her. "I'm so sorry," his voice said weakly. "My apologies might never be enough, but I'm sorry, Adira; I'm so sorry. If only I could turn back the hands of time..." "Well, you can't." She interrupted him. "And right now, you all are useless to me because I don't need you. So,get away from me and never show your faces to me ever again." "Please!" Freya whimpered, taking a step closer. "We're so sorry. I know I was one of your major bullies, but now I see how wrong I was. Adira please..." Adira huffed and started towards the door. "My mother needs your help!" Elara's voice was suddenly heard, making Adira halt. "Please, she has a terminal disease and needs some financial assistance. I'm also sorry for bullying you back then, Adira, but could you find a place in your heart to forgive us? Please?"It all became clear to Adira. She scoffed and turned around to face them. "You're not actually here to ask for forgiveness, but for financial assistance?" Her eyes hinted at disbelief and betrayal. She laughed and glanced up at the ceiling. "You know, I was curious. If you needed my forgiveness, you'd have come a long time ago. Why are you coming now all of a sudden? So, it's actually because you need my help?" She looked at her father. "You never loved Mom this much. Until her death, you never cared for her this way. I can't believe you could swallow your pride and beg your forgotten daughter just for her sake. You're unbelievable, father." The old man dropped his head as usual and said nothing. Immediately, Freya went on her knees. "Please!" She placed her hands together. "My mother will not make it alive if she doesn't get the medical attention she needs. I'm begging you, Adira; you're the only one who can help us right now. I don't want to lose my mother." Tears rolled down her face. Elara went on her knees as well. "I know she wronged you, but she was still your stepmother, hence, your family. Don't turn your back on her when she's at the point of death. Please!" Adira glared at them, clenching her lips to prevent them from trembling. She didn't know exactly how to react—shocked, angry, betrayed. But one thing was for sure—the people before her were no longer her family. She sniffed and turned towards the door again, but her father's words halted her: "Your mother's not dead." A jolt of electricity surged through her veins, sending an instant wave of shock rippling through her body. It was as if a thousand tiny lightning bolts raced beneath her skin, leaving her momentarily paralysed. What? "I'm... I'm sorry I'm just saying this to you, but she was never dead, Adira. I just never wanted to burden you with the sad thought that your mother abandoned you." Adira turned snappily at him, her eyes growing wide in curiosity. "What're you talking about?" Her voice was hoarse and pained. The old man continued. "When you were little, she became upset that we were too poor. One day, she met a rich lover and divorced me for him. She ran off, leaving you behind, and till date, I never heard from her." He paused and let out a shaky breath. "I know it was stupid of me, but I hated you when she left, Adira. I wish she had gone with you because I didn't want to see anything that belonged to her. Your presence became tormenting for me, and that was why I stopped caring even when you were bullied. I know Soraya was not very nice to you, but she was the only woman who loved me for who I was. She never disrespected me for being poor, but instead helped me build my home. So please, do not blame me for loving her more than I did your mother, because she stayed when your mother left."A tear dropped to his cheek, making his eyes red immediately. It was very hard for a man like himself to shed a tear, so when he did,it looked really difficult. Adira had been shattered into pieces. Her surroundings seemed to be going around in circles, and she feared she might collapse at any moment. Her mother was alive? She abandoned her? How could she? Multiple tears streaked her cheeks; she was beginning to lose balance. Not being able to say anything else, she ran out of the room, whimpering as she did.