The Day Our Promise Breaks

Could it really have nothing to do with Lucy?

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he might've bought into what Emily was selling. But just moments ago, he witnessed Lucy's face twisted with malice as she cursed David. He heard, as clear as a bell, the nasty words she spat out. Each one sent a shiver down his spine. No regular adult could spew such venom, and Lucy was just seven.

What rattled him even more was how she turned to face him, instantly morphing back into the sweet, innocent Lucy. Switching between angel and devil as if it were nothing. Just like Emily's two-faced act, all smiles in front of him and knives in the back.

It's the classic saying: like mother, like daughter. How hadn't he seen it before? With a mother like Emily, an expert in deceit, Lucy had been soaking it all up since day one. How could Lucy turn out any different?

"Adopt Lucy?"

William's voice was deep, his tone so calm it was impossible to tell what he was feeling. Emily caught a glimmer of hope when William spoke, nodding eagerly. "Yes, William, if you adopt Lucy, she'll learn from you and turn into a wonderful person. That way, I can have peace of mind."

"Does she deserve it?"

William cut Emily off with a cold chuckle.

"What?"

Emily froze for a second, questioning her own ears. Did she hear that right? William questioning if Lucy deserved it? Wasn't he always so fond of Lucy? How could she not deserve it?

"William, you've got Lucy all wrong..."

She instinctively reached for his pant leg, trying to understand what he meant.

"Get away!"

William's brow furrowed slightly, and as Emily reached out, he lifted his leg, pushing her aside like she was nothing more than a piece of trash. Looking down at the disheveled Emily on the floor, his lips cured into a mocking grin, his voice icy as he said, "You think convincing me to adopt Lucy is just another way to get under Eve's skin, right?"

"Emily, you never miss a chance to make Eve's life miserable!"

Emily's eyes widened in shock. How did William see through her?

She quickly shook her head, denying it, "William, you've got it wrong. I never thought like that. I just want Lucy to have a better life, that's all..."

"Shut up!"

William had lost all patience for Emily's nonsense. Every word from her now was pure scheming. But once upon a time, he chose to overlook it because she wore the guise of someone he once cared for. He never dared to use his business savvy to see through her act. Without that illusion, Emily's true self was laid bare. noveldrama

Her subtle expressions were caught by his sharp gaze. He knew he was right. Tonight, after uncovering Lucy's true colors, it felt like he'd pulled on a loose thread, unraveling so many past events. Things he once believed were now shrouded in doubt.

A heavy weight pressed on William's chest, making it hard to breathe. He couldn't stand to look at this mother-daughter duo any longer.

William picked up the doll with David's name and turned to leave.

"Daddy!"

Lucy, still reeling from William's harsh words about her not deserving adoption, panicked as she saw him about to walk away. That single word, "Daddy," was filled with all of Lucy's affection for William. Her feelings for him were complicated, but her love was real.

So, when she called him "Daddy," it came from the most genuine part of her heart.