Shoutout to Bruh_Vista for beta-reading and providing extensive feedback for this chapter!
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Jean had never been struck by her father before. Today was the first time, yet the resounding slap did not sting or hurt at all because she was immediately plunged into a warm and enveloping hug afterwards.
"Don't you DARE do anything stupid like this EVER AGAIN!" Her father's voice reverberated through his chest and shook her body.
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained," Uncle Al said from the side but was immediately silenced with a deathly glare from her father. "Look, Goran..."
"Do not make excuses for the girl!" Her father yelled. "And please, do not try to downplay the danger and idiocy of her decision just because she succeeded. What if she failed?! There goes another loved one whom I can't even bury or cremate because the forsaken Plague took everything!"
