“I’m partial?”
Hearing her words, Andrew raised his head and said, “You think I’m partial? Clara only came to the Norris’ when she was 15 years old, and I watched you grow up. Even if I’m partial, it is only to you!”
Serina smiled bitterly, “Dad, aren’t you partial?”
Andrew turned his head away. It was obvious that he did not agree with Serina’s words.
“Clara came back to you at the age of fifteen. I don’t mind if you want to make up for her, but I don’t owe Clara, why should I make up for it?”
Serina took a deep breath and said, “Clara got eczema, and you asked me to give her the room that I have lived in for 15 years because my bedroom is on the sunny side. I had a high fever and you just left me to the maid, while you accompanied Clara to her dance competition. You said it was the first time she was accompanied by her family, so you can’t be absent.”
Andrew sighed.
“When Mom was still here, you promised me a trip to the sea. Three years have passed, and in summer vacation you stood me up again because I didn’t get a good result in the exam. You went hiking with Clara. I lost my temper, and you hit me, saying I was immature.”
Serina wiped away her tears.
“I’m naughty. You used to say that I was smart and childish, not easy to be tricked and that I brought a lot of joy to the family. Now Clara is here, you see my behaviors as inappropriate and immature, and blame mom for spoiling me.”
“Dad, do you know who spoils me? When I was a child, I failed my exams. Mom made me kneel on the ground, but grandparents stopped her. They wouldn’t let mom punish me. Every time mom tried to hit me for being naughty, it was you that stopped her. Who do you think spoils me?”
Serina suddenly sneered, “Now I become like this, you and grandparents all blame mom for it!”
Andrew sighed deeply.
“Alright. Let’s talk about something else. Why don’t you tell me that Sammy and Clara had slept together? Why are you hiding from me for her?”
Serina really couldn’t understand it.
“Sammy and I grew up together. You know that. You watched Sammy grow up. Do you really believe Sammy would sleep with Clara just because he drank some wine? He’s not that kind of person!”
“Are you saying that Clara seduced Sammy?”
Andrew finally spoke.
Serina was disappointed. “Fine, I know you won’t believe me. I will say it no more. I’m merely pointing to a fact. Why do you ask Sammy to marry Clara, Dad? You are partial to her.”
“Clara had slept with Sammy. There is no other way to solve this.”
“What about me? I have been with Sammy for 22 years. Other than my virginity, I have given him everything!” Serina roared angrily.
Andrew was lost for word.
“You are just partial towards her. Clara cried. You felt sorry for her, so you stood up for her and made the decision. Have you ever thought of me? I am the victim! My sister had sex with my fiancé. Did you feel sorry for me?”
“I ran away from home. Did you try to find me?”
“When I came home, you didn’t even bother to ask how I was doing those days outside.”
“Instead, you hit me!”
Tears rolled down Serina’s cheeks.
“Dad, if I were the one who slept with Clara’s fiancé, I guess you would beat me so hard and scold me for stealing my sister’s man! If Clara ran away from home, you would be crazy looking out for her, right?”
Andrew sighed, “I … I thought you were not serious with him and that you had no feelings for each other.”
Serina snorted softly, “Dad, do you remember the Samoyed I had when I was ten years old? I kept it with me for two years, but then I lost the dog and couldn’t find it back. I cried my eyes out and I swore to myself that I would never keep a dog again. Until now, we never have small animals in our family.”
“…”
“I was heartbroken for a dog that I kept for two years, let alone a person whom I have been with for 22 years.”
“Serina.” Andrew raised his head and he was close to tears. Perhaps he indeed had neglected his daughter those years. “I’m sorry.”
“I don’t want your apology.”
“What’s done is done and there is no turning back. As long as you clean up your act, you will still be my favorite daughter.”
Andrew’s eyes were firm.
“Clean up my act?”
Those words were like knives piercing through Serina’s heart.
“Dad, you still think I did wrong, right?” Serina could no longer hold back her tears.
“…”
“Dad, may I ask you something? Did I commit a crime, break the law or did I kill someone? Why should I clean up my act?”
Serina suddenly felt ridiculous.
“Serina…”
“There’s no need to say anything. I’ll sign it.”
Serina took out the agreement from her bag. She asked Derek to get it from the law firm this afternoon.
She had thought that she wouldn’t need it.
Andrew’s name was on it. Serina looked at it, took a deep breath, and signed her name.
From now on, she was no longer his precious daughter.
“Serina … If one day you figure it out, you are always welcome to come home. You will still be my daughter.”
Hearing this, Serina felt absurd, “I’ve already thought it through.”
Suddenly, a tall figure blocked the light, and the small dining table suddenly dimmed.
Serina and Andrew both raised their heads.
Derek’s cold face came into view.
Serina was stunned. She didn’t expect Derek was here.
Derek pulled a chair and sat beside Serina.
“Mr. Derek.” Andrew saw Derek take Serina away in the hospital before, so he wasn’t very surprised.
Derek looked at the agreement on the table. He smiled and said, “If Serina didn’t sign it, you will be my father-in-law.”
Andrew was stunned, “You…”
“That’s right. Serina and I got married. We haven’t publicly announced yet due to my special identity.”
Hearing this, Andrew was speechless.
“Originally, I wanted to financially help my wife’s family, but now there seems to be no need for that.”
Andrew sighed, “Please take care of Serina.”
“Of course, she is my wife. I will take good care of her.”
Derek knocked on the agreement on the table. “The agreement has been signed. Now you and Serina have no relationship anymore. The future of the Norrises has nothing to do with Serina.”