<b>Chapter </b><b>194 </b>


    “Peter…” My voice trembled with shock, barely above a whisper.


    “Zoe,” Peter responded, forcing a smile as he called me.


    “Your hair…” I reached out instinctively, wanting to touch his hair.


    He blinked in confusion. “What’s wrong with my hair? Is it messy?”


    Suddenly, my tears fell uncontrobly.


    <b>32</b>%


    Seeing my tears, he looked even more startled. “What’s going on? Why are <i>you </i>crying? Did Michelle say something? Don’t listen to her–she’s always talking nonsense.”


    I thought, ‘It seemed like Peter still hadn’t realized his hair had turnedpletely white. I had seen him just a few


    days ago, and his hair was still ck, but now, while it wasn’tpletely white, at least 80% of it had turned gray.‘


    ‘It was as if he hadpletely changed, going from a strong middle–aged man to someone who looked elderly. I couldn’t find the words, especially since he didn’t even know.’


    I stepped forward, wrapping my arms around him as tears flowed freely.


    He gently patted my back. “Don’t cry, Zoe. It’s fine. I just needed some time to myself. Michelle’s always bothering me, and now she’s called you here.”


    I thought, ‘He assumed I was crying because I was worried about him locking himself in the study all day and


    night. I shook my head against his shoulder, my throat feeling like it was being squeezed by a giant hand.‘


    “Come, let’s sit inside. I’ll make you some coffee,” Peter said, his tone lightening.


    I thought, ‘But I knew he was just trying to hide it’from me because he didn’t want me to worry. His hair turningpletely white in just one night spoke volumes.‘


    “Peter,” I stopped him, “Alvin… his issues, let him deal with them. Don’t worry about it, don’t involve yourself.”


    I thought, ‘I had never felt so much sympathy for anyone. At this moment, seeing Peter like this, I felt an


    overwhelming sense of care, as if he were my father.‘


    Peter’s eyes darkened for a moment. “Alvin’s disappointed me. I’ve been thinking about it… this is the result of all the indulgence when he was younger.”


    “It’s not your fault. Alvin has his own mind and his own decisions to make. He’s not a child anymore,” I said, trying


    to reassure him.


    I thought, ‘Peter didn’t respond, and I knew he hadn’t listened. He was a stubborn person. Despite being calm and easygoing most of the time, especially with Michelle, he never let anything bother him.‘


    13:05 Thu, 21 Aug 9


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    But deep down, he had his convictions–things that no one could change. I never expected that Alvin getting married would make Peter this angry–enough to turn his hair white in just one night.‘


    “Zoe, sit down. Let’s have a cup of coffee,” Peter said, gently guiding me to my seat as he prepared the coffee.


    I thought, ‘I watched him walk away and suddenly realized his posture seemed hunched. With his hair nowpletely white, he looked like an older man.‘


    “Zoe, let me make you some coffee. It’s from Archer, he sent it to me a while back. I was thinking of brewing it


    for…” His voice suddenly trailed off.


    He paused, his hand hovering over the cab,pletely still.


    I sensed something was off and quickly stood up, hurrying to him. “Peter…”


    I thought, ‘I couldn’t finish my sentence. I knew why Peter stopped–he must have seen his gray hair through the ss door.‘


    “Peter,” I whispered, gently holding his arm.


    He snapped out of his daze and smiled, though it was a dry, painful smile. “So that’s why you were crying earlier…”


    His smile pierced my heart with a dull ache. “Peter, how could you… how could this happen?”


    My voice broke again, and I couldn’t say another word.


    “I’m over fifty. It’s normal for my hair to turn gray. Now Michelle doesn’t have to worry about any young girls taking an interest in me. I’ve turned into an old man–who would care?” Peter joked, trying to lighten the mood.


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