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Lisa had been dreading this moment, fully aware it would eventually come. Since her rebirth, she had been consumed by excitement, almost forgetting the reality that Jade would soon resurface. But this time, she was prepared. She was resolute in her determination to stay several steps ahead of her.
"Oh, Dad, I'm so sorry," Lisa said, her voice soothing as she tried to console her father. She had no idea how close he had been to his younger sister, Scarlett, but she sensed the weight of his grief. His usual stoic demeanor was shattered; guilt and sorrow hung over him like a dark cloud, as if he bore some unspoken burden. This piqued Lisa's curiosity, igniting a fire within her to uncover more.
She was no longer the naive, spoiled brat she once was; she was now an eighteen-year-old soul trapped in a fifteen-year-old body.
"Dad, you need some fresh air," Lisa urged, her voice steady despite the turmoil around them. "You look pale, and that's not good. Let's take a walk in the garden—it might help improve your mood." She took his hand, gently leading him away from the heavy atmosphere inside the house.
He glanced at her, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes as he attempted to force a smile. It was clear he was trying, but the effort made his smile appear strained, almost otherworldly. Lisa stifled a laugh; she knew it wasn't the time for humor, but a playful jab at his demeanor felt necessary.
"My little girl is maturing by the day. I'm glad you are," Scott remarked, his voice thick with emotion. Turning to his wife, he added, "Honey, let me be with Lisa for a few minutes. I really need the fresh air. It feels kind of stuffy in here."
Lisa squeezed her father's shoulder, her voice soft yet resolute. "Don't worry, Dad. I'm here for you. We all are—Mum, Liam, and I. We'll be with you every step of the way. No need to feel this way, okay?"
Her mother's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she hugged Lisa tightly. "My baby girl has grown up. I just can't believe it," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
"Mom, please, stop it," Lisa chuckled, gently pulling her father along.
As they reached the garden, a cool breeze greeted them, the scent of blooming flowers wafting through the air. They sat on a bench, and Lisa closed her eyes, allowing the tranquility of the moment to wash over her. When she opened them, she caught her father watching her, his expression shifting to a genuine smile for the first time since the news.
"You really are something else, you know that?" Scott said, a warmth returning to his voice.
"I know. At least I made you smile genuinely, not that goblin-like smile from earlier," Lisa teased, scrunching her face comically.
"Are you trying to call your father a goblin?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Not a chance," she retorted with a grin. "How could a goblin give birth to this beautiful specimen?" She gestured to herself, and they both erupted into laughter, the tension easing for a moment.
"I'm glad I could make you laugh, Dad," Lisa said, her heart swelling with affection.
They lapsed into silence for a moment, soaking in the serenity before Lisa took a deep breath, her voice turning serious. "Dad, can we talk about Aunt Scarlett? You hardly ever mention her, almost as if she didn't exist. But seeing your reaction... it shows you really care about her. You look guilty, like you wish you could have done something to help her."
Scott's gaze dropped to the ground, his expression darkening. After a moment, he sighed, the weight of his memories pressing down on him. "Scarlett was my younger sister," he began, his voice low and reflective. "We grew up in a modest home, neither rich nor poor. Our parents did their best to give us what we needed. But Scarlett... she always wanted more. She craved the lifestyle of the affluent kids at school, the glamour, the attention. To fit in, she started stealing from our parents and began living a double life."
He paused, swallowing hard as he recalled the painful memories. "Our parents tried to intervene, but she pushed them away, becoming a stranger in our home. She began skipping classes, frequenting clubs, and pursuing dangerous relationships, her rebellion spiraling out of control. I thought she'd eventually come to her senses, but it only got worse. She became entangled with rich men, even having an affair with a powerful businessman. She bought herself a fancy car, moved out of the house..."
Scott's voice wavered as he continued, pain etched across his features. "It broke our mother's heart. She was already fragile, and witnessing Scarlett's downfall was too much. When Scarlett was arrested for drug possession, my mother couldn't handle it. She died of a heart attack shortly after. That was when everyone abandoned Scarlett—everyone except me. My father fought to get her out of prison, but once he did, he told her she was no longer welcome in our home."
Scott's gaze darkened, filled with regret. "Weeks later, Scarlett came to me, pregnant and desperate. I was just starting college, but she was still my sister. No matter what she had done, I couldn't abandon her. I gave her my savings, my parting gift, hoping it would help her start anew. I never saw her again. The last I heard, she'd moved out of the country. And now… now I'm left with the guilt of never reaching out, never checking in. If I had been there for her, maybe—just maybe—she wouldn't have ended up this way." His voice cracked, emotion spilling over as he fought back tears.
Lisa listened, her heart aching for her father. She understood why he had been so forgiving of Jade; it was a reflection of his unresolved feelings about Scarlett. A deep sigh escaped her lips as she moved closer, wrapping her arms around him in a comforting embrace, offering solace as best she could.
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