Chapter 1449:

Ari peeked at the empty spot to her left, feeling a small ache in her chest. Most days, when Millie wasn’t tied up with work, she was the one who brought Ari to class, but today was different.

Myron caught the faint sadness on Ari’s face and immediately knew what was on her mind. He couldn’t find the right words, so he just lightly tapped her arm in a soft attempt to soothe her.

Ari lifted her gaze toward him.

“Dad,” she murmured.

“Yes?” he answered, brushing his hand through her hair.

She had never called Millie and him mom and dad before. Everything changed after the factory disaster. Millie had long wished for that moment, because it meant Ari had truly opened her heart and accepted them.

Still, the price they paid for that shift was heavy. And Millie hadn’t even been able to hear Ari say it yet.

“Will you come pick me up later?” Ari asked quietly.

Myron nodded. “Of course. I’ll be here.”

Ari gave him a bright smile, stepped out of the car, and headed for the school gate.

Myron followed at a short distance, joining the other parents walking their children to class.

“Mr. Elliott?”

“Myron, you brought your child today?”

“I never expected you to come personally.”

He replied with a polite nod each time.

“I hope the kids enjoy their day. Ari has missed quite a few lessons and may need a little support,” he said.

People around him already knew what happened, so they smiled warmly.

𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙜ⱥ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀﹒ⅽ𝗼𝗺

After guiding Ari to her classroom, he watched her settle into her seat with her school bag, waved, and finally turned away.

Part of him still didn’t want to leave. He glanced back one more time and found Ari grinning at him. He returned the smile, then walked down the hall.

Children needed room to grow, even when their parents wished they could hold on a little longer.

The hours raced by, filled with countless tasks. Myron kept himself busy managing company affairs.

Brandon had received his judgment; the penalty was short, and he was now out on medical parole. Tests continued one after another as he prepared for surgery the following morning.

His feelings about his legs were unclear. Whenever he thought about them, the memory of Millie bleeding flashed through his mind, along with the fear that she might not make it in that burning factory.

That thought still stung.

“Brandon, the operation is tomorrow. If everything goes well, things will start looking brighter,” Babette said gently.

He nodded, though his eyes remained fixed on the floor.

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