A Love Lost in the Years

Francis and my mother had canceled an important meeting just to wait for me.

As soon as she saw me, my mother gave me a once-over and sighed. "You've lost weight again, haven't you?"

Francis nodded. "She's right. You look thinner. But since you've accepted the engagement with the Grant family, I won't press the issue. From this day on, you're officially my daughter. If they ever mistreat you, don't be afraid. Your mother and I will always be here for you."

I smiled gently and handed him the bank card I had prepared.

"I'll be sure to visit you and Mom often. Thank you for welcoming me when I had nowhere else to turn."

Francis let out a warm laugh. "I always hoped you'd stay in the family as my daughter-in-law. Even though that path didn't work out, you're still family to me.

"And keep your money—what kind of father would ask his daughter to pay him back? You're marrying into the Grant family on our behalf. If anything, I should be giving you shares in the company as a wedding gift."

My mother sighed quietly. "You don't owe us anything. Just live well—that's all I ask."

I blinked back the tears welling in my eyes and offered a grateful smile.

I knew Francis—his warmth was always tucked beneath a calm, sometimes distant exterior. Yet all these years, he had treated me like family.

Feelings simply couldn't be forced.

I understood that—and so did he.

Just as I was about to leave, Wesley, Nathan and Jade came in.

The moment their eyes landed on me, their expressions hardened.

"So, you're here to snitch, huh?" Wesley sneered.

Nathan quickly stepped in front of Francis. "You can't trust anything Savannah says. She always goes after Jade!"

However, Francis raised his hand to silence him, his gaze fixed on both of them, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"Dad, you can't believe Savannah's made-up stories," Nathan complained. "When Wesley and I proposed to Jade, we weren't joking.

"Jade may have come from a small mountain town, but she worked hard to put herself through college. When we asked her, she didn't say yes right away. In fact, she made it clear she wouldn't accept just because of our family's wealth.

"She's nothing like Savannah. She's smart and strong-willed. Honestly, she's the most remarkable woman I've ever met."

Jade stood quietly behind Nathan, a soft blush coloring her cheeks.

She looked up at him shyly, her eyes warm with affection.

Wesley spoke evenly, "Jade might be just an assistant, but she's full of valuable ideas for our projects. Savannah, however, only knows how to use her power as vice president to bully others. I just wanted to teach her a lesson.

"She came to complain to you, didn't she? I knew it. Dad, just stay out of this."

Furious, Francis slammed his cup down, the porcelain shattering loudly across the floor. "I should have known why Savannah agreed to the engagement with the Grant family. You two—take this young woman away. Our home doesn't welcome those who don't know their place!"

After they stormed out, it took me quite some time to calm Francis down.

My mother didn't try to hold me back either. Instead, she quietly slipped a bank card into my hand. "Here, take this—it's the wedding gift I've been saving for you."

I walked away, carrying the last bit of warmth they'd given me.

My heart was heavy, tangled in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

…

Just as I was stepping down the stairs, someone grabbed my arm. The unexpected pull knocked me off balance, and I fell hard against the steps.

Wincing from the pain, I looked up—and there was Nathan. He yanked me toward Jade and snarled, "Savannah, apologize to her!"

I couldn't believe it. I was already leaving—wasn't that enough?

I bit back my frustration, but even my patience had limits.

Finally, I snapped, "I didn't do anything wrong!"

As soon as the words left my mouth, Nathan's hand lashed across my face.

The impact sent a jolt of pain through me, and my cheek burned, already beginning to swell.

"Savannah, remember this," Nathan growled. "Hurting Jade comes at a cost. That slap was your warning. I'm nothing like Wesley. Next time, you won't get off so easily."

Without hesitation, he drove his foot hard into my chest.

An intense, stabbing pain overwhelmed me, making it feel like my bones were about to break apart.

I curled into a tight ball on the floor.

As my awareness faded, only one thought lingered. "At last… we're even."

After twenty years, the bond between us was finally severed.