Her face remaining expressionless, she continued, âTwo days ago, during heavy rain, she fled all the way to the river and got shot.
She fell into the water, and her condition remains uncertain.
â
Graham narrowed his eyes and remained silent.
She fixed her gaze on him and scrutinized his every expression, feeling perplexed.
âYou once said you had to protect her because her mother saved you.
Now sheâs on the brink of death.
Arenât you concerned about her?â
Lowering his eyes, he responded in a hoarse voice, âPerhaps sheâs still alive.
You canât be certain if sheâs truly dead.
â
âThen why arenât you eager to save her?â Lucinda raised her eyebrow, her eyes cold.
Graham looked away nonchalantly, fixed his gaze back on the book in his hand, and said with utmost seriousness, âIn the past few days, Iâve read and copied the bible countless times.
Iâve reflected on many things, and a realization dawned on me.
Iâve protected her on numerous occasions, but now that Iâve resigned from the State Affairs Bureau, I donât possess the same power as before.
From now on, sheâs on her own.
Whether she lives or dies, itâs no concern of mine.
Sheâll determine her own path, and I wonât protect her any longer.
â
Lucinda listened in silence, analyzing every nuance of his expression.
After a while, she couldnât help but chuckle.
âLooks like all that reading hasnât been in vain.
Youâve learned to let go of many burdens.
Itâs a positive change for you.
â
Lately, that was the calmest word she had spoken to Graham.
âs BunnyBookery
With a faint smile gracing his pale lips, he carefully shifted his swollen knees, kneeling before her.
In a hoarse and sincere tone, he apologized.
âLucinda, itâs entirely my fault.
I now grasp the gravity of my mistakes and how deeply Iâve hurt you.
Throughout this period, Iâve genuinely repented for my actions.
Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?â
The smile on Lucindaâs face instantly froze.
Nervous, Graham felt a lump in his throat while he waited for her response.
She gazed at him for a moment, then finally said, âI accept your apology.
But forgiveness? Today, Iâm here to see our father.
Iâm not interested in talking about anything else.
â
Grahamâs eyes dimmed with disappointment.
He had raised her, and he knew all too well she was not ready to forgive him.
Pushing past his own sadness, he forced a smile.
âThatâs okay.
Iâll wait until the day you can fully forgive me.
â
Lucinda locked her gaze on him, and said nothing.