The scolding was gentle, wrapped in warmth. He was blaming me—both openly and implicitly—for not reaching out sooner.
Before leaving the house, I had warned myself to be strong. Crying over a piece of trash like Jackson wasn't worth it.
But the moment I heard the gruff warmth of my father's voice, the dam broke.
"Dad..."
My throat tightened. My voice came out thick with unshed tears.
He sighed, his tone softening into that familiar indulgence he reserved only for me. "Forget it. It's not too late to turn back now that you've learned your lesson. Your mother and I have already prepared a banquet to announce your return. It's in a week. Come home."
I nodded obediently, though he couldn't see me. "Okay. Thank you, Dad."
It took until today for me to truly understand one simple truth: no matter what happens, there is only one man in this world who will love and protect me unconditionally.
That man is my father.
...
The news of my return banquet dropped the moment I stepped through the door of my family home.