Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
That day, Mike stayed for a long time before leaving. Millie kept sitting on Mike and refused to get off. I watched their interaction and felt sad and comforted. The sad thing was that even though Millie looked highly similar to him, Mike didnât seem to recognize Millie as his daughter. The relief was that although they hadnât officially reunited, the power of blood relations was still unstoppable. Millie had a natural closeness to Mike.
Before we parted, Mike invited us to his villa for a meal the next day, like he often did six years ago. Instinctively, I wanted to say no, but at that moment Mike said,
âCome on, Melanda. Iâll call Mandy. My parents talk about you a lot. They have no idea how happy they will be to know youâre back.â
With that, he looked at me expectantly. I didnât know if I was ready to face that nostalgic place. Just as I fell silent, Millie whined,
âPlease, Mommy, I want to be a guest at Uncle Mikeâs house.â
âThen⦠okay, weâll be there on time.â
âThatâs great! My parents will be very happy! Then, see you tomorrow!â
âSee you tomorrow!â
Millie said goodbye to Uncle Mike reluctantly.
Early the next morning, I was awakened by Millie.
âMommy, wake up. We have to get ready! Can I wear this dress? Will Uncle Mike like it?â
Just as I opened my eyes, I saw Millie standing in front of me with her favorite princess dress. She was looking at me expectantly.
âOf course! I think Uncle Mike will love it.â
At Millieâs urging, we quickly finished our breakfast and went out. Millie skipped ahead of us and urged me to hurry from time to time. She didnât know that my footsteps were very heavy. Every step was abnormally difficult. Mikeâs villa held too many memories of my childhood. Happy memories, and heartbreaking ones.
As we neared, I saw Mandy standing in the open doorway while looking around anxiously. She must have understood my inner struggle and came to pick us up.
âMom, look, itâs Auntie Mandy!â
âMy little angel, youâre finally here!â As soon as Mandy saw us, she hurried over. She held Millieâs hand and gave me a meaningful look. âAre you okay?â
I shrugged. I didnât need to pretend in front of her. She knew all about it.
âOh, is your fiancé here?â
âHeâs inside talking to Mike. Letâs go in.â
As soon as we entered the yard, we saw Mikeâs mother waiting at the door of the house. She hurried forward and hugged me. âOh, my God, Melanda! I missed you, child! Where have you been? Why didnât you stay in touch with us? Why didnât you tell us you had a daughter?â She asked me a bunch of questions that I didnât get to answer.
âMom, you have too many questions. She canât answer them in time! Let them in first!â Mikeâs voice comes from behind. I was so grateful for his timely appearance.
âUncle Mike!â Millie, who was behind me, rushed into Mikeâs arms. Mike picked her up and everyone headed for the living room.
âBaby, youâre so beautiful today. You look like a princess!â Mike said sincerely as he looked at Millie. Millie giggled.
After entering the living room, I saw a refined young man sitting on the couch chatting with Mr. Jones. When he saw us enter, he immediately stood and walked over to Mandyâs side. Yes, this was Mandyâs fiancé, Dave.
I turned to look at Mandy. She blushed and quickly introduced him.
âDave, this is my best friend Melanda. Melanda, this is Dave.â
âHi, Dave. Iâm Melanda.â
âHi, Melanda, Iâve heard so much about you. I finally got to see you in person! Youâre indeed very beautiful!â
âHey, donât listen to her nonsense. She likes to exaggerate.â No one knew what she had told her fiancé.
âCan anyone introduce me to this little princess?â Mr. Jones walked to Millieâs side and smiled as he looked at Millie, who was interacting with Mike.
âHow are you, Uncle Steve? This is my daughter, Millie. Millie, this is Grandpa Steve, Grandma Mary, and Uncle Dave,â I quickly introduced.
Millie greeted each of them obediently. Everyone was happy to see the beautiful and well-behaved Millie. That was how children were. She won everyoneâs attention easily. It was fine with Uncle Steve and Dave. I noticed that Aunt Mary had a very strange expression on her face. She looked at Millie, then at Mike, and then looked carefully at Millie again.
âSteve, honey, donât you think Millie looks a lot like the Mike he was when he was little?â she said dubiously. When she said that, I blushed.
âHaha, is that so? No wonder I feel that Millie looks very familiar too. Millie, you will be my granddaughter in the future, okay?â Uncle Steve said.
Just as everyone was enjoying themselves, they suddenly heard a cold voice.
âUncle, do you really want a granddaughter?â