With the conversation heading in that direction, Michelle, despite whatever thoughts she might still have, didn’t push the issue any further.


    She nodded and said, “Zoe, in my heart, you’re like my own daughter.”


    If she truly thought of me as her daughter, she wouldn’t be trying to pair me with Philip. But then again, perhaps it was Philip’s idea-after all, he had already made his feelings clear.


    “Well, next time when Alvin and Philip have the time, let’s have a ceremony, and we can formally recognize each other,” I said casually, and I noticed Michelle’s gaze flicker.


    It was clear she didn’t genuinely want to call me her daughter, but after ten years of her kindness, I didn’t want to read too much into it. I knew the truth of how she had treated me over the years.


    “Alright,” Michelle agreed with a small nod.


    I took her back home, and just as I was about to leave, I ran into Alvin. He was wearing a baseball cap and a casual sports jacket, a far cry from his usual CEO demeanor. He looked like the rebellious young man I once admired.


    I remember when Alvin was in high school, he would often sneak out on his motorcycle to do stunts. It always had me on edge, excited but terrified at the same time.


    Dressed in his leather jacket and helmet, flying through the streets, he was the epitome of cool-a true bad boy in my eyes.


    I remember one time, he took me for a ride. I was so scared my heart nearly stopped. I clung to him tightly, and that was the irst time I held him so close.


    Afterward, he teased me, “Little girl, holding on so tight. Are you trying to take advantage of me?”


    Eventually, he stopped riding the motorcycle, and his wardrobe shifted from casual to business suits. He became the intouchable CEO.


    But now, seeing him back in his old clothes, I couldn’t help but feel a ripple of emotion inside.


    But deep down, I knew he wasn’t the same person anymore-even if he was wearing the same clothes.


    That baseball cap now just hid the wound on his head.


    ‘What’s this? Didn’t get enough beating yesterday? Now you’re here for round two?” Alvin shot me a cocky smirk.


    Before I could respond, Michelle raised her hand and pped him across the back of the head. “How dare you say that! If you weren’t dead, it’s only because Zoe spared you!”


    ‘Mrs. Dolton, even if you have two sons, you can’t be this cruel. Let her beat me to death? Which one of us is your real child?” Alvin, the domineering Mr. Dolton at work, was now acting like a child at home.


    Michelle, with her usual dry humor, quipped, “I’d rather Zoe be my daughter. You shouldn’t havee back here.”


    “Fine, next life, let her be your daughter, and I’ll keep my distance,” Alvin grinned, pulling Michelle in for a hug to prevent her from hitting him again.


    Watching the warm interaction between them, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. If my parents were still around, I’d probably be that girl who could still throw tantrums no matter how old I was.


    )


    But in this world, there are no “if only” scenarios.


    Their closeness left me feeling suffocated. I looked at Michelle and said, “I’ll be going now.”


    “Wait,” Alvin called out, “I need to talk to you.”


    “We don’t have anything to talk about,” I was done with him. I didn’t want to say anything more, and I feared that if he provoked me, I might justsh out again.


    I realized something about myself: when ites to hitting, if you don’t do it, you’re fine. But once you start, you can’t stop.


    “I do have something to say,” Alvin pressed, his tone suddenly forceful.


    Michelle pinched him again. “Stop being so bossy, or I’ll really kill you today.”