Chapter 166

“Esther.

”

Billy’s composed face showed a trace of inexpressible embarrassment. His voice turned hoarse as he tightly held the cup, his expression unreadable. He could have revealed Esther’s true birth to leverage.

gratitude, but doing so would make him no better than a despicable person.

When Faye entrusted Esther to him, it was based on trust. Faye had only wanted Esther to be fostered by him. Concerned that Esther might feel like a burden, he had claimed she was his daughter. But as an adoptive father, he hadn’t taken good care of her all these years.

If Faye were to discover his actions from the underworld, she would surely hate and blame him.

“Can you leave Bradley?” Billy couldn’t bring himself to reveal Esther’s true identity in the end.

Esther’s cold eyes flickered with disgust. Parting her red lips slightly, she asked coldly, “Is that all?”

“Esther, I beg you, spare Liliane.” Billy thought of Liliane, pitifully left with only three months to live in the hospital. As Liliane’s father, he was willing to do anything for her survival.

“You should tell that to Liliane. She knows Bradley is my husband, so why is she still trying to steal him?” Esther’s tone carried an unconscious hint of anger. “Since I arrived at the Ansteys, she’s been trying to take everything from me. After taking away my possessions, she even wants to take my husband. As a father, have you ever cared about her actions?”

Billy felt ashamed and mumbled to explain, “Esther, you have to understand that Liliane’s situation is special…”

“Yes, she’s the child of a legal marriage, and I’m the mistress’ daughter,” Esther said indignantly, her face filled with resentment. Her words were like poisoned knives, piercing Billy’s heart. “My birth is the sin I was born with. You shouldn’t have gotten together with my mother in the first place…”

“Esther, it’s not what you think.”

Billy struggled to find the right words to explain to Esther that his actions were not solely because Liliane was his daughter but rather because Liliane was a patient with a serious heart condition. Each day that Liliane lived was precious to their family, and he wanted her to have her way without any regrets while she was still alive.

“I don’t need to know your struggles, and I don’t expect to understand the difficulties you face,” Esther stood up and looked down at Billy, her heart aching at the sight of his aging form. The man who had once stood tall now appeared worn and gray-haired. Yet, throughout all these years, the daughter he had cherished and protected was never her.

“For Liliane’s sake, you resorted to deceiving me with my own mother. If you want to be Liliane’s loving.

father, then continue doing so forever. But please stay away from me. Don’t worry. I’m not heartless.

When you turn 70, I will find you a good retirement house…”

As Esther uttered these callous words, Billy felt a sharp pain in his heart. He pleaded desperately, “Esther, -try to understand my situation. I couldn’t help it either. Liliane… Liliane…”

Billy remembered Leah’s warning and ultimately chose not to reveal Liliane’s congenital heart condition to Esther.

Disappointed, Esther walked away, but Billy grabbed her hand and pleaded pitifully, “Esther, what do you. want me to do for you to leave Bradley?”

Esther coldly pried open Billy’s hand and asked with indifference, “Dad, am I really your daughter?”